Refugee Sponsorship

Creating a community of safety and support for our global neighbours.

What we do

Our refugee sponsorship ministry is all about helping families who are longing to build a new life in Canada. We know flourishing in Canada is greatly helped when newcomers have family members who are already here to help them navigate their new rhythms of life. That’s why we focus on family reunification whenever possible.

The demand is huge and our capacity is limited. We are also subject to government regulations, both in Canada and in a refugee’s country of origin. This often leads to lengthy wait times which are challenging for everyone.

At this time, our sponsorship quotas and future commitments are full. Regretfully, we cannot accept further email requests for sponsorship at this time. If you’re looking for sponsorship, we encourage you to seek out help from other Canadian churches and organizations who are Sponsorship Agreement Holders in British Columbia and who may be in a position to sponsor you.

How to donate

Our refugee settlement efforts are 100% volunteer-driven! All of the funds we raise go directly to supporting the refugee sponsorship families when they arrive in Canada.

You can donate at the link below (select “Refugee Sponsorship Fund” as your giving type) or by cheque made payable to West Vancouver United Church. Please indicate “Refugee Sponsorship Fund” in the memo line.

Stories of Impact

I am working in construction 5 days a week. Also, my wife Birivan is taking Adult Education (English course). My two sons, Hamza and Mirvan like school. My oldest son loves soccer so much. My youngest son has a lot of friends.  Every day he is asking after school to play with his friend in the playground and he has a lot of fun.

In the end, I would like to say thank you to everyone who helped me come to Canada and change my life, and special thanks to people who helped me to reunite us with my mother, which was impossible for me, and thank you for making the impossible into reality.  

— Ali Fandi

I am the father of two boys, Hamza and Ayaz. We are from Syria, and we moved to Dar Shukran camp in Kurdistan because of the war conflict in Syria. We stayed in Dar Shukran camp for 8 years. Living in the camp was very difficult.

We moved to Canada on October 21, 2020. My wife, Suhaila, and I are working on our English and I am working full time as a painter, the same job as back home. Hamza and Ayaz love school a lot, and they would even like to go to school on weekends if they could. They don't like to have weekends off from school.

We are so happy and fortunate to live in Canada. Especially with the crescent of support from our sponsors, West Vancouver United Church, they made a difference in our lives.

— Assim

I live with my mother, Aisha and we are from Syria. We moved to Dar Shukran camp in Erbil (Iraq) in 2013, because of the war conflict in Syria and we stayed in camp for 7 years but living in camp was very difficult because it wasn't safe. My mom and I are very happy living in Canada because it is a safe country and especially for our sponsors supporting us. We like to say thank you to our sponsor for making a difference in our life.

— Aziza Fandi

 FAQs

  • Join our refugee sponsorship team! Our refugee sponsorship team meets as needed and shares the following duties:

    Review refugee family applications to the church - once the family have been approved by us for sponsorship, help prepare various government documents required for their immigration to Canada;

    Find rental accommodations - and/or help source furnishings to outfit the household;

    Welcome the family on their arrival and help them set up their new home;

    Follow up with the family on a regular basis to ensure a smooth transition to their new life;

    Assist with access to social services, health care and banking arrangements;

    Find schools for the children and liaise with the educational authorities to enroll them;

    Spend time with the families - help them improve their English and to assimilate into their new community life.

  • There are lots of ways you can help. Here are just a few examples:

    Are you a health care professional? Families that are new to Canada often need dental care, physiotherapy, chiropractic therapy, massage therapy and other health care services.  If you are willing to donate your services or provide them at a reduced price, then we would love to talk to you!

    Are you a teacher?  You could spend time with the children or parents helping them learn or improve their English.  Or tutor the children in subjects they are struggling with at school.

    Do you absolutely love to fundraise?  Help us strategize how to raise more money to bring more families to Canada. Create and host your own personal fundraiser and donate the funds.

    Are you a computer whiz?  Help set up phones, TV’s, internet and computers for the family.

    Do you miss playing sports or games with your own children?  Here is a great opportunity to do it all over again!

    Do you drive? Help family members get to their appointments.

    Please reach to us below!

  • The United Church of Canada provides guidelines for creating a budget to sponsor families. We have found that the guidelines are the minimum requirements. Often the cost of living is higher. Our experience and calculations show that it costs a minimum of $65,000 to support a family of four for one year and $90,000 for a family of five. The biggest cost (and ever-increasing) is usually rent.

  • We sponsor refugees without regard for religion, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.

  • We will act as co-sponsors with individuals, community groups or other churches. The refugees become part of the United Church of Canada quota, but all or part of the financial obligation may be provided by the co-sponsor (West Van United, the individual or community group).

Connect with our Refugee Sponsorship team.