An Iraqi refugee family who had fled from their homeland to Syria will soon arrive in Toronto. This Arabic-speaking Sunni Muslim family comprises mother, father and two sons, now aged nine and four years old. DVRR volunteers will welcome this sponsored family at the airport. In preparation for their arrival, DVRR are seeking everything to furnish and equip a small 2-bedroom apartment. A double bed, sofa, a radio, some dinner plates and some cutlery have been offered so far, but many more items are needed. If you can offer any furniture, drapes, lamps or kitchen and bathroom equipment, Elaine Bremer or Moira Mancer would be happy to hear from you. - June 2011

DON VALLEY REFUGEE RESETTLERS (DVRR) was first formed in 1994 by eight Willowdale area United Churches of Canada, including Oriole-York Mills. DVRR’s mission is to help refugees to settle in Toronto. Refugees are people with a well-founded fear of persecution, as well as those at risk of torture or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment. The refugees outside Canada that DVRR sponsors fear returning to their home country. Most have been affected by civil war or armed conflict or have suffered massive violations of human rights.

Since 1994, DVRR has welcomed 42 sponsored refugees to Toronto. They were from Vietnam, Croatia, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Somalia, and Colombia.

News of refugees for sponsorship comes from the United Nations, via Immigration Canada, and from the Anglican United Refugee Alliance in Toronto. Selection of a refugee, or a refugee family, is made independent of their faith. Which refugees to sponsor are decided by a vote at a DVRR meeting. DVRR does not sponsor refugees already in Canada.

After completing and filing sponsorship applications, DVRR monitors processing at Canadian embassies overseas and maintains contact with the refugees. The waiting period is months to years. When visas are granted and a traveling date has been set for the refugees, DVRR quickly seeks and rents an apartment. DVRR volunteers also request, collect, and sometimes store, donated items for the new home. In the apartment furniture is arranged, drapes hung, kitchen drawers and cupboards filled, clothing and linens stored, beds made, and flowers are placed on the table to make it all ready.

Although DVRR knows the number of people arriving, there is no estimate of how much luggage they will bring. Except for single travelers, DVRR volunteers take two vehicles to Toronto airport when they first welcome the newcomers. When possible an interpreter joins the welcoming party. © United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [(UNHCR)/ P. Coat. - larger view ]

If DVRR has an apartment ready, DVRR then takes them there from the airport. If no apartment is ready (often in the middle of a month) DVRR finds other accommodation, sometimes in a DVRR volunteer’s home.

The newcomers need to develop a Canadian identity with SIN and OHIP cards, opening a bank account and registration with a doctor. Tests for language for adults and school subjects for students come before registration for classes. DVRR volunteers donate time and the related expenses as they guide the newcomers to their appointments. DVRR volunteers also locate or buy overlooked needs for the new home. DVRR volunteers orientate the newcomers to local stores, community centers, TTC, public library, and other local resources. DVRR use visits and phone calls to keep in touch and answer questions.

After the early days, the newcomers shop for themselves and pay their own rent and other bills. Each month DVRR transfers money for the estimated living expenses into their bank account. Ways to save money or a need for more money from DVRR may be identified during visits.

Before coming to Canada some DVRR-sponsored refugees lived in refugee camps. As an example in Africa, the Benin camp below was set up for Togolese refugees.[ ©UNHCR/J.Björgvinsson - larger view ] Other refugees may have lived in shanty-towns for displaced persons. The photo below shows such a shanty-town in Colombia. [©UNHCR/P.Smith - larger view]

For more information about DVRR, DVRR volunteers are happy to talk about what they do as DVRR volunteers and to answer your questions. DVRR always welcomes new volunteers.

Your donations of goods and money to DVRR help refugees make new homes and settle in Toronto. Financial donations for the continuing mission of DVRR are eligible for tax receipts when payment is made to Oriole-York Mills United Church or one of the supporting churches. Please mark the cheque and envelope clearly “for DVRR”.