JOIN US IN WELCOMING NEWCOMERS TO OUR COMMUNITY
How you can support Afghan refugees
Donate
If you would like to donate household goods or gently used clothing for the new Afghan arrivals, you can donate through the Women in Need Society, WINS. To learn more about what is typically needed for a newly arrived family, the End of the Rainbow Foundation has a useful list, https://endoftherainbow.ca/donate-furniture/. Donations will only be accepted at the WINS Donation Centre, located at the Hopewell Distribution Park (7007 54 ST SE), Calgary, AB. Donations can be dropped off at the rear entrance of Building C, Bay 26, from 9am to 4pm, 7 days a week. For questions about donating to WINS, please email dispatch@winsyyc.ca.
The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) is the primary settlement agency resettling Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs) in Calgary and surrounding areas in Southern Alberta. An account specific to the Afghan refugees has been established. 100% of all monetary donations, will go directly towards assisting these newly arrived refugees. Official tax receipts will be issued on donation of $20.00. Detailed information on specific material needs (e.g. winter clothing, backpacks, children’s toys) are listed on the website as well. Donate here.
The Centre for Newcomers is one of the largest settlement agencies in Alberta. The CFN website has a number of options for those who are interested in supporting Afghan people after their arrival to Calgary. You can review the Afghan page to make a donation to help sponsor a coming refugee, help support a refugee that has already arrived, or find partner organizations to make donations.
Volunteer
Volunteer to be a part of creating a welcoming environment for newcomers to Canada by contributing your time and sharing your skills. To donate your time please call
The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) is the primary settlement agency resettling Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs) in Calgary and surrounding areas in Southern Alberta. If you are interested in volunteering with CCIS you can find more information on their website.
Refugee Sponsorship
Adopt an Afghan Refugee Project. The Centre for Newcomers is committed to helping bring Afghan refugees to Canada. You may work with CFN to form a group of 5 or to individually volunteer as noted above to sponsor a refugee from Afghanistan or a transit country. To register for this program, or for additional information, please email volunteer@centrefornewcomers.ca.
To privately sponsor a refugee, the Government of Canada requires a minimum 12 month commitment to support an individual or family. Support payment commitments and set-up costs can take up to $20,000 to support a single person and more as family size increases. Often refugees that arrive have additional expenses and no means to support themselves. If not supported well, then this can place refugees at risk of additional issues and trauma after they arrive. Sponsorship of a refugee is a highly meaningful way to protect a person from persecution.
Are you interested in learning more about sponsoring a refugee or refugee family? IRCC has a lot of information on their website to guide you in the process but one of the best ways to learn more and to meet other people in your community also interested in sponsoring refugees is to attend an information session held by the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP).
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Community Partners
The Refugees Welcome Here Campaign is a collaboration between a number of dedicated volunteers and agencies. We would like to thank all of our community partners for their support.