SPONSOR A REFUGEE
sponsorship@rainbowrefugee.ca
Meet Rainbow Refugee's co-leadership team
Rainbow Refugee is pleased to welcome its first ever co-leadership team of Aleks Selim Dughman Manzur, Programming Director, and nour Kachouh, Operations and Managing Director.
“Rainbow Refugee welcomes nour and Aleks as together they form the co-leadership team.” says Rainbow Refugee founder Chris Morrissey. “Both are long-standing leaders in LGBTQI communities and I believe that they, in partnership with our staff and many volunteers, will continue supporting queer, trans, and HIV+ refugees. Rainbow Refugee has grown and needs full-time staff as the organization responds to the on-going requests from LGBTQI people from across the globe to find a safe place here in Canada. Together nour, Aleks, the staff and many volunteers will continue working in solidarity to create a more just world for all of us.”
Rainbow Refugee’s co-leadership model represents a next step forward into local and national leadership in support for and issues affecting LGBTQI+/HIV+ refugees. While respecting its commitment to collaboration and shared decision-making, the new leadership is keeping pace with Rainbow Refugee’s rapid growth.
“Rainbow Refugee has grown into a national leader in support and advocacy with LGBTQI+ refugees and we are excited to launch the next step in our growth by bringing on our first ever leadership team,” says Board Chair Sharalyn Jordan. “The depth of experience and skill Aleks and nour bring to Rainbow Refugee will enable us to build on the solidarity LGBT2QI+ communities across Canada are showing to strengthen our impact on SOGIESC refugee human rights and refugee protection.”
Rainbow Refugee promotes safe equitable migration and communities of belonging for people fleeing sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, sexual characteristics (SOGIESC), and HIV+ persecution. We deliver programs and build partnerships to create a whole-community approach to care and advocacy with LGBTQI+ refugees in order to address intersectional inequities and support gaps. We amplify the voices of LGBTQI+ refugees, promoting their leadership and perspectives in public dialogue and policy making.
- September 17, 2024
lululemon’s Here To Be program donates $50,000 to Rainbow Refugee
Rainbow Refugee has been selected to receive $50,000 from lululemon’s Here to Be social impact program.
Rainbow Refugee is a Vancouver based community group that supports people seeking refugee protection in Canada because of persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression (SOGIE) or HIV status. lululemon athletica is a technical athletic apparel company for yoga, running, training and most other sweaty pursuits.
In alignment with lululemon’s Impact Agenda commitments, lululemon is scaling Here to Be, a premiere social impact program. For the past five years, Here to Be has supported mental, physical and social wellbeing, by partnering with non-profit organizations to create access to movement and mindfulness in communities across the globe. This year, Here to Be received an additional USD $3 million in funding to support organizations that advocate for civil rights and social justice for people that are most impacted by systemic inequity. Rainbow Refugee was chosen as one of the inaugural advocacy donations to receive funding in the amount of $50,000 CAD.
“LGBTQ+ refugees are living on the extreme edge of societies in many parts of the world,” says Rainbow Refugee’s Chairperson Sharalyn Jordan. “The pandemic has pushed them into more desperate economic situations and, in some cases, life threatening conditions. We can put this money to very good use, directly helping LGBTQ+ refugees to resettle in Canada.”
St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church donates $300,000 to Rainbow Refugee
Vancouver—St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church presented Rainbow Refuge with a cheque for $300,000 today, amid Vancouver’s PRIDE week. It is the largest single donation or grant Rainbow Refugee has ever received.
The cheque was presented at Nelson Park with St. Andrews Wesley Lead Minister Rev. Dan Chambers and Executive Director Dianne Mitchell presenting the cheque to Rainbow Refugee Board Chair Sharalyn Jordan and Rainbow Refugee members.
“We have a strong refugee program that started in the 1990’s,” says Rev. Chambers. “We have worked with Rainbow Refugee and know the impact their work has. The need is great for refugees currently in Vancouver and ones waiting to enter the country and Rainbow Refugee has done exceptional work that is directly helping LGBTQ+ refugees.”
St Andrew’s Wesley specified that $100,000 should go to directly helping refugees and newcomers. “We can use that money to help seed new groups, called Circles of Hope, that are fundraising to support newcomers in their first year,” says Rainbow Refugee Board Chair Sharalyn Jordan. “Those Circles are finding fundraising tough going these days, and this will help them bring in newcomers faster. We also have asylum seekers already in Vancouver waiting for hearings to resume that are in desperate need.”
The remaining $200,000 St. Andrew’s Wesley has designated to build Rainbow Refugee’s capacity and sustainability. “We plan to use this money to build a stronger case management system and strengthen our national coalition of partner organizations across Canada that are doing similar work,” says Jordan. “This will build our capacity to support more LGBTQ+ refugees and strengthen our work nationally. It also gives us a bit of a cushion to sustain our programs into the future.”
Rev. Chambers says, “St. Andrew’s Wesley is an Affirming Church that welcomes all to worship with us. It is important to us to help organizations that welcome our volunteers in programs that are important to them. We designated money for social justice issues in our community and in the larger community and Rainbow Refugee is making a tangible difference on social justice for LGBTQ+ refugees.”
Nordstrom selects Rainbow Refugee for $20,000 community grant
Vancouver 11 June 2020—Rainbow Refugee has been selected to receive a $20,000 community grant from the Nordstrom Community Grant portfolio as a 2020 Pride partner.
“Seeking refugee protection was difficult and dangerous for LGBTQI refugees before COVID-19—the Pandemic has intensified the risks and virtually closed the borders. ” says Sharalyn Jordan, Board Chair at Rainbow Refugee says, “Rainbow Refugee has revamped our work to meet these challenges. We are thrilled to receive this grant. We are also proud to receive this honour alongside the other organizations Nordstrom has partnered with.”
For the past several years, Nordstrom has taken part in Pride celebrations across North America, using Pride Month to highlight selected LGBTQ+ organizations in Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago and Vancouver, including GenPRIDE, Trans Wellness Center, Coalition for Aging LGBT, Center on Halsted and Rainbow Refugee.
Jordan says the grant will go directly to supporting LGBTQ+ refugees in life-threatening situations abroad to resettle in Canada through the Rainbow Refugee Assistance Partnership.“For each refugee or couple or family, we create a Circle of Hope made up of volunteers to help them apply, help them when they arrive and connect them to our community once they are here. Our community outreach team creates events that bridge the gaps among diaspora and LGBTQI communities.” says Jordan. “This grant will support that work.”
Lawson Foundation awards Rainbow Refuge $10,000 grant for COVID-19 support
Vancouver 20 May 2020—The Lawson Foundation has awarded Rainbow Refugee a COVID-19 Rapid Response grant of $10,000.
“The Lawson Foundation has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic quickly and effectively,” says Rainbow Refugee Board Chair Sharalyn Jordan. “By issuing this grant they allow us to fund urgently needed relief to newcomers and refugees caught in the economic upheaval the pandemic has created.”
Jordan notes that refugees still overseas—even those who have been approved to come to Canada—are trapped after Canada closed its boarders. Some newcomers already in Canada have lost first jobs or the opportunity to find them. “Refugees are survivors,” says Jordan. “But COVID-19 is creating extraordinary challenges. We are very grateful to the Lawson Foundation for stepping up with extraordinary support.”
The Lawson grant will be used exclusively to support Rainbow Refugee's response to the immediate needs of low-income populations caused by COVID-19 related closures, including access to food, hygiene, housing and other basic needs.
Vancouver Foundation awards Rainbow Refuge $27,600 grant for COVID 19 support
Vancouver, 15 April 2020—The Vancouver Foundation has awarded Rainbow Refugee a Community Response Fund flexible operating grant of $27,600.00 based on the recommendation of Vancouver Foundation’s Volunteer Advisers.
“We are extremely grateful for this support in these challenging times,” says Rainbow Refugee Board Chair Sharalyn Jordan. “Refugees and newcomers are resilient and resourceful, but they often have very precarious jobs, housing and food security. COVID 19 has made their lives that much harder.”
The financial support will be used exclusively to support Rainbow Refugee's work to respond to the immediate needs of low-income populations caused by COVID-19 related closures, including access to food, hygiene, housing and other basic needs.
BC government says you can't be evicted for not paying your rent
(April 1, 2020) The BC Government has made changes to support renters and landlords during the COVID 19 emergency. Most evictions are not allowed, and notices to end tenancy cannot be issued for most reasons.
Landlords CANNOT
give notice to end tenancy for:
• Unpaid rent or utilities
• Cause
• Landlord or purchaser use
• End of employment as a caretaker, or end of employment if the rental unit is being rented as a condition of employment
• Demolition, renovation, and conversion of a rental unit (or closure of a manufactured home park)
• Failure to qualify for a rental unit in subsidized housing
BC Rent Bank can also help to pay rent.
If you cannot pay your BC Hydro bill, you can call 1-800-224-9376 and ask for payment relief or BC Hydro's Customer Crisis Fund.
IRCC suspends collection of airfares
for 6 months
for 6 months
(24 March 2020)--IRCC announced on its
website
that it is suspending its immigrant loan collection activities for a period of 6 months, until September 2020.
Clients who have questions about their loan, or who wish to make alternative arrangements for payments during this period, can contact IRCC at 1-800-667-7301.
Covid 19: Advise for those working
to sponsor people overseas
(March 23, 2020) During this weird time, all of us are concerned about our health and safety and that of everyone we support. We who are involved in Rainbow Refugee Society share the concerns facing us all: asylum seekers, refugee claimants, newcomers, Circle volunteers and mentors and all volunteers.
We are all aware that globally it is not business as usual and the same is true for RRS. However, we also know that LGBTQ+ face the same challenges as always, now with the additional stress of this epidemic.
Virtual
meetings shall be held instead of in-person meetings.
Hikmat, Adam and Michael can all arrange these.
Call or email if you need any help.
Mentors, you need to take care of yourselves – Follow the directions of BC Health Officials
• Continue to maintain contact with your Circles—virtually.
• Forward this note to your circles. Please CC Hikmat when you do.
• Call or email Hikmat or Chris if you need info or support.
Circles Supporting Newcomers
• Take care of your self – Follow the directions of BC Health Officials
• Continue to meet to share updates, concerns and to support each other – virtually
• Set up a system of being in regular contact with the newcomer you have sponsored.
• Call or email your mentor if you have concerns or need assistance
Circles Preparing Sponsorships
• Take care of your self – Follow the directions of BC Health Officials
• Continue to meet virtually
with your circle members and keep working through the process
• Maintain contact with the person you are sponsoring.
• If you are still fundraising, you may have to adapt your approach. It will likely be more difficult with so much economic uncertainty. You may choose to put fundraising on hold for now.
• If you are at the stage of preparing the paperwork, continue.
• We will continue to forward applications to the SAHs
• We have no indication yet about how IRCC is working. When we have information, we will share it.
• We do know that IOM is not booking flights currently.
Circles with Applications already submitted
From IRCC:
We won’t refuse your application if you cannot complete the next step due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
• submitting your passport or supporting documents, such as a police certificate
• completing an immigration medical examination
• No application in progress will be closed or refused due to a lack of documentation.
We’ll automatically give you 90 days to complete these steps. Once you’re able to, complete the steps as soon as possible to avoid delays
As always, we appreciate the extraordinary effort you all put into to helping our LGBTQ+ siblings around the world. You are amazing!
IRB suspends all in-person hearings and mediations
Vancouver (March 14, 2020) —The Immigration and Refugee board announced today that, as a result of the evolving situation relating to COVID-19, including developments across the country as recently as this weekend, effective Tuesday March 17, 2020, all in-person hearings and mediations, other than detention reviews, will be postponed until further notice. Postponed hearings and mediations will be rescheduled promptly. Red the full announcement
here.
Canadian Rainbow Coalition for Refuge applauds government for long-term commitment and increase in funding for LGBTQ+ Refugees
Toronto (June 1, 2019) —The Rainbow Refugee Society and partner organizations in the Rainbow Coalition for Refuge are commending the federal government’s commitment to launch an expanded Rainbow Refugee Assistance Program (RRAP) which helps support refugees fleeing persecution because of their sexuality orientation or gender identity expression (SOGIE).
“Thank you, Prime Minister Trudeau, Minister Hussen and Randy Boissonnault (the PM’s special advisor on LGBTQ+ issues) for making the Rainbow Refugee Assistance Pilot a regular program with an expanded budget and a five-year funding commitment,” says Rainbow Refugee Board Chair Sharalyn Jordan.
The Federal government’s contribution of three months of support goes directly to refugees and is a tangible expression of the government’s commitment to protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) lives. Since it was first piloted in 2011, the initiative has engaged LGBTQ+ Canadians and allies in over 25 cities across Canada in welcoming refugees.
Sponsorship circles raised over $1.6 million in 2018-19, to match more than 3:1 the federal government’s contribution. Hundreds of volunteers organize the critical social support to help LGBTQ+ refugees survive while they wait for resettlement, and create a welcoming, supportive community for each arrival.
“The need is huge,” says Rainbow Refugee founder, Chris Morrissey. “We receive thousands of desperate pleas every year and we can only help a fraction of them. This commitment from the government will allow us to expand the program and build systems that will allow for long-term sustainability.”
LGBTQ+ refugees face distinct barriers and vulnerabilities to accessing protection as well as a heightened risk of violence in transit countries.
The Rainbow RAP creates safer pathways for vulnerable LGBTQ+ refugees, including Afghanis in Pakistan, Ugandans in Kenya, and Iraqis in Turkey. The program also uniquely enables resettlement for people forcibly displaced by SOGIE persecution, but unable to access UNHCR protection, such as Chechens in Russia and refugees on Manus Island.
Globally, anti-LGBTQ+ hostility is on the rise. According to the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), there are still 70 countries where being LGBTQ+ is a crime, and 11 where individuals can face the death penalty.
Along with Toronto-based Rainbow Railroad, Rainbow Refugee co-leads the Rainbow Coalition for Refuge (RC4R) in Canadian communities that have proven ready, willing and able to support refugees facing SOGIE persecution. Members include Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, Capital Rainbow Refuge in Ottawa, The Rainbow Refugee Association of NS and the End of the Rainbow Foundation in Calgary.
“This announcement is a great of example of how the federal government can work with civil society to protect LGBTQ+ refugees in Canada. It is one of several recommendations our coalition has made. There is more work to be done, but this is a significant milestone,” says Kimahli Powell, executive director of Rainbow Railroad.
This change implements a unanimous all-party Commons Committee recommendation
following public hearings that produced the 2017 report
“LGBTQ+ at risk abroad: Canada’s Call to Action.”
“Expanding the RRAP delivers on Canada’s commitment to be a place of safety for LGBTQ+ refugees at a time when violence is on the rise,” says Jordan. “Sponsorship is one component of a broader strategy. We also need the government to continue working with LGBTQ+ civil society to develop a proactive response for crisis situations and ensure that the Inland refugee process is accessible and fair.”
“LGBTQ+ civil society is proud to work with IRCC and Global Affairs to make Canada a global leader in LGBTQ+ refugee and human rights protection. The announcement today gives us a seat at the table, and that is so critical to our work going forward,” Jordan adds. “We want to express our respect and appreciation for this spirit of non-partisanship when lives are at stake.”
Quotes
“As a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH), we celebrate the federal government’s strong commitment to stand for the rights of LGBTQ+ refugees to live a life free from oppression, discrimination and violence. We look forward to continuing and expanding the good work.”
Aleks Dughman-Manzur, the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto.
“It is important that we are able to engage Canadian LGBTQ2 communities in settling these vulnerable refugees, many of whom have faced torture and threats to their lives based on sexual and gender minority persecution. Our communities appreciate the multi year commitment because it takes time to raise funds to sponsor.”
Lisa Hébert, Capital Rainbow Refuge in Ottawa
“RRANS applauds the government’s multi-year commitment to support vulnerable lgbtq+ refugees. We know there is more work to be done but this announcement means we can enhance our sponsorship capacity.”
Corrie Melanson, Rainbow Refugee Association of Nova Scotia
Members of the Rainbow Coalition for Refuge (RC4R) steering committee
Contacts
Sharalyn Jordan(778) 881-2915Board ChairRainbow Refugee
Minister Ahmed Hussen and MP Randy Boissonnault with members of the Rainbow Coalition for Refuge at the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto at Saturday’s the announcement of the expansion of the Rainbow Refugee Assistance Program (RRAP), a program which helps support refugees fleeing persecution because of their
sexuality orientation or gender identity or expression (SOGIE).
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