Since 1979, Canada has worked with a strong tradition of working with sponsoring organizations such as World Renew, to welcome refugees through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program (PSRP). Doors have been opened and sponsors have assisted refugees with access to employment, education, and health services that enable newcomers to start their new lives.

With over 26.4 million refugees in the world today, resettlement is critical for refugee protection. In Canada, refugees have the opportunity to thrive, grow and contribute to Canadian society.

Are you interested in making a real difference in the lives of refugees but are not sure how? Don’t worry! In the information below, we will explain key activities of sponsoring and resettling refugees to Canada.

World Renew shares God’s love with refugees through our partnership with local churches, faith-based organizations, and sponsoring groups to support refugees in need of a new home.

With World Renew’s sponsorship agreement with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), along with our partners we can sponsor and resettle refugees to Canada through Canada’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program (PSRP).

Your role as a sponsor is to assist with the sponsorship application and provide resettlement support for newcomers, typically for one year after arrival. This includes financial support for housing, food, clothing, transportation, communications as well as social and emotional support.

World Renew provides support and guidance to private sponsors throughout the entire sponsorship process. For example, World Renew partnered with Sonlight Christian Reformed Church, with the sponsorship of Ahmad and Majd; two brothers who had to leave Syria in search of a new home. You can read their story here.

1. The church or sponsoring group meets with World Renew for an initial inquiry to begin the process.

2. The church or sponsoring group forms a Refugee Sponsorship Committee to help steer the process.

Through the help of World Renew, Zion United Reformed Church was able to provide support for Eric Nyongolo and his family for a full year. The church created a sponsoring committee and each committee member was given different responsibilities to meet the family’s requirements, such as housing and getting proper Canadian documentation.

3. The Refugee Sponsorship Committee participates in orientation, training, and readiness preparation with World Renew.

4. World Renew works with the church or sponsoring group to ensure all finances are in order to support refugees. This involves budgeting, providing proof of sponsorship funds, and fundraising.

5. The Refugee Sponsorship Committee prepares a thorough settlement plan with World Renew and completes all paperwork necessary.

The Refugee Sponsorship Committee works with World Renew to prepare and submit the application for private sponsorship to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). IRCC sends the application to the Canadian visa office overseas.

This part takes place primarily in the country where the refugee is currently residing. This is a time for patience as an interview will take place, followed by medical and background checks for the refugee(s). The waiting period for this step can be lengthy; up to three years.

1. IRCC will send the Notice of Arrival (NAT) to World Renew, the church or sponsoring group. The NAT includes the arrival date and flight details for the refugee(s).

2. To prepare for the refugee(s) arrival, the Refugee Sponsorship Committee is to review and update the budget as much time will have passed since the application was submitted to IRCC. Any changes made should be communicated to World Renew. In addition, the Refugee Sponsorship Committee is to review, discuss, and coordinate the settlement activities outlined in the settlement plan.

3. The Refugee Sponsorship Committee participates in readiness preparation with World Renew.

4. The Refugee Sponsorship Committee welcomes the newcomer(s) at the airport and provides transportation to the community of resettlement.

1. Settlement is a very critical part of the church or sponsoring group’s responsibility. The Refugee Sponsorship Committee is to provide the welcome, orientation, connection to a local settlement agency, and day to day support as they assist the newcomer(s) in navigating Canadian systems and becoming settled in their new home.

2. The Refugee Sponsorship Committee provides ongoing oversight and financial management of the sponsorship during the sponsorship period.

3. The Refugee Sponsorship Committee and the newcomer(s) are required to participate in regular check-ins through World Renew’s monitoring program.

Carol Sybenga, a member of Immanuel CRC’s Refugee Sponsorship Committee, responded to God’s call to “clothe the naked, feed the hungry, house the orphan and widow.” With support from World Renew, Carol worked alongside Basharat, Ayesha, and Florence Nazeer to help them resettle and find a home in Canada.

1. Evaluating how the sponsorship went once it is over is a great way to find out what worked well, what did not, and how to build on this knowledge for the future.

2. Mark the anniversary of the newcomer(s) arrival and your achievements by planning a celebration!

3. Many refugee sponsorship committee members and newcomer(s) form friendships and lasting relationships which continue beyond the sponsorship period.

Leviticus 19:33-34 teaches us, “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.”

We are called to love and care for those around us, especially those most vulnerable; you can join the movement of helping refugees, raise awareness, and increase engagement with the sponsorship and resettlement program. To learn more and to get involved, please visit our website.