The AURA Bulletin
~ news & updates for refugee supporters ~
September 2021 AURA's Quarterly Newsletter
Hello sponsors, friends, and supporters. Things are moving quickly here at AURA! We are so pleased to share that 5 of our incredible sponsor groups have had arrivals since August and 3 more are scheduled for October. This includes one yesterday and one today, and it means refugee families and individuals - aged 4 to 83 - from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Syria, Iraq, Burundi, Kenya and Sudan are starting their new beginnings thanks to you and your support.

Scroll down to learn more about AURA's 2021 Ride for Refuge and how you can help make it the most successful of all time. We are also sharing what we currently know about the government's plans to help Afghan refugees resettle to Canada, inviting you to the next Diocesan Refugee Network meeting, and sharing important information about Canadian citizenship (which might even surprise you!).

Refugee sponsorship exists because of your involvement and support. Thank YOU for being part of the AURA network and making this world, and your community better!

~ Alex and Marin (your AURA team)
The 2021 Ride for Refuge: This Saturday, October 2
On October 2nd, 2021, AURA's Ride for Refuge teams will be heading out for their COVID friendly activities. We have been completely blown away by the support this year. It's been so incredible, we are now reaching for our stretch goal of $40,000.00 - we are 90% there!
A special thank you to all of this year's Ride community partners. In particular we'd like to acknowledge Meridian Credit Union for their recognition and financial support as our event sponsor. Meridian was drawn to AURA because of the grass roots efforts of AURA's refugee sponsors.

AURA has teams participating across Ontario and please remember to share pictures of your individual team events on social or with us! We also are welcoming everyone to gather at the end of the day for a virtual closing ceremony.

AURA's Virtual Closing Ceremony
Time: Oct 2, 2021 4:00 PM

Join the virtual closing ceremony on Zoom:

During the virtual ceremony, teams will discuss their experience with the Ride and winners for the giveaway will be announced! Please share
Thanks to the generous support of our Ride 2021 community partners, anyone who raises over $350 dollars will be entered into a draw for one of the following prize packs:
Prize Pack #1
Ripley's Aquarium - 4 express passes
Peace by Chocolate - Classic chocolates box
Plantables - 4 free plants next year
The Keg - $25 gift certificate
A&W Meal Coupons
Prize Pack #2
Niagara Parks - 2 sets of tickets to attractions
Peace by Chocolate - Chocolate covered pretzels
Plantables - 4 free plants next year
Freshco - Gift Card
A&W Meal Coupons
Prize Pack #3
Aleppo Kebab - Meal for up to 7 people
Peace by Chocolate - Chocolate Cookies
Plantables - 4 free plants next year
A&W Meal Coupons


Afghan Resettlement Special Initiatives
The current crisis in Afghanistan is causing widespread fear and displacement. There were already over 2.2 million Afghan refugees in neighbouring countries and more than 3.5 million internally displaced people inside Afghanistan.

AURA, and the sponsorship community in general, are still waiting for details about the role private sponsorship will play in responding to this crisis. We are eager to help sponsor groups submit applications for Afghan refugees. We know from the SAH (Sponsorship Agreement Holder) Navigation Unit that IRCC is currently working on details and we can expect them soon.

Thank you to all those sponsors who have reached out to offer support. We look forward to working with each of you. This is what we know so far about IRCC's special Public Policies:

Public Policy #1: This program is currently underway and is a special immigration program for locally engaged Afghan nationals and their families. This policy aims to help people who assisted the Government of Canada. Thousands of Afghans have already arrived and support is being coordinated by a coast-to-coast network. This special immigration program is IRCC's priority and those who are arriving are Government Assisted Refugees (not Privately Sponsored Refugees).
 
Public Policy #2: This special humanitarian program will focus on the resettlement of Afghan refugees who are outside the country and who are from vulnerable groups including women leaders, human rights advocates, LGBTI individuals, journalists, and their immediate family members. This will be a long-term initiative expected to extend to December 2023. This special humanitarian program is still in development and we are awaiting details and planning to increase our capacity to respond.

Please contact AURA if you are interested in forming a refugee sponsorship group to sponsor an Afghan refugee family or individual.
The Diocesan Refugee Network
Connect and Share with other Sponsors
The recently launched Diocesan Refugee Network continues to meet and provide a space for sponsors to share information and connect.
All AURA sponsors are welcome.

Next Meeting: October 14th at 5pm via Zoom

Special Guest:
Patrick O'Leary
Talent Beyond Boundaries 

Please contact Elin Goulden, Diocesan Social Justice & Advocacy Consultant and AURA Liaison: egoulden@toronto.anglican.ca.
Canadian Citizenship: Did you know...?
Permanent Residents should apply for citizenship as soon as they can. See the picture below (from citizenshipcounts.ca) about the many benefits of becoming a citizen.
Did you know that a Permanent Resident of Canada can lose their residency status for committing a crime, such as impaired driving?

It's true! The government of Canada can initiate a process to revoke PR Status for someone who:
a) does not fulfill their residency requirement (i.e. being physically present in Canada for 730 days every 5 years)
or, b) commits a serious crime.


And, for Permanent Residents who come to Canada as refugees, travelling back to their country of origin also puts their status in Canada at risk!

These are some of the many reasons Permanent Residents should apply for Canadian Citizenship as soon as they are eligible!

Did you know it costs $630 for an adult to apply for Citizenship?
It's true! And, this is a major barrier for many. Other eligibility requirements include:
  • being physically present in Canada and filing taxes for 3 years
  • demonstrating English or French language skills (LINC level 4)
  • completing an application and paying fees ($630/adult, $150/child)
  • passing the citizenship test
Sponsors should familiarize themselves with the rights and responsibilities of Permanent Residents, and the process for becoming a Canadian citizen. If you know any newcomers who might be eligible, please help share this important information.
Webinars for Sponsors
RSTP Webinars

The Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) offers a monthly webinar series for sponsors on topics such as Handling Unrealistic Expectations and Financial Support Case studies.