More volunteers needed to welcome newcomer families

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT COMMUNITY CAREER CENTRE

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Since 2016, the Sault Community Career Centre (SCCC) has welcomed 99 refugee families under the federal government’s Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) and worked with 49 Blended Visa Referral Program/ privately sponsored families.

Some of these families are living in other communities in the region and some have moved away; the remainder are settling into life in a new country, a new climate and a new culture here in Sault Ste. Marie.

The success of the program locally can be largely attributed to the many volunteers who have worked to provide a warm welcome, donate much-needed supplies like food and clothing, and offer additional services like transportation and language lessons.

Word has been received that two more families will be arriving in the next 3 to 8 weeks and a third family with no estimated time of arrival will follow.  A volunteer group has been formed to work with one family. Two more groups of volunteers are needed to participate in this rewarding work.

After receiving news of another young couple arriving on Aug. 31, the SCCC has begun looking for one more group of volunteers to participate in this rewarding work.

As a volunteer, your role in helping refugee families’ transition into our community will be to provide friendship and assistance with the everyday tasks of Canadian life.

You may help gather household items like towels and blankets, provide transportation to places like the grocery store or the bank (until they are familiar with the bus system), assist them in travelling to medical/dental appointments, visit them in their homes, and accompany them to welcome events.

The SCCC is looking for two groups of at least 6 people each to volunteer to work with the incoming family.  An orientation session for people who want to volunteer will be held at the SCCC on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 6:30 p.m. 

If you want to register, or have any questions about volunteering, please contact Brenda Cooper ([email protected] or call 542-9088), and she will send you an information package.

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