Rainbow Refugee Society (SPONSOR A REFUGEE)

Organization Name: Rainbow Refugee Society
Opportunity Title: SPONSOR A REFUGEE
Category: Fundraising & Sponsorship
Commitment: 6 months to 1 year, Ongoing Opportunity (> 1 year)
Start Date: September 30, 2023
End Date: August 26, 2025

Email: volunteer@rainbowrefugee.ca
Website: https://www.rainbowrefugee.com/
Details:

• Appropriate for volunteers aged between 18 and 55
• Appropriate for volunteers aged 55 and over
• Appropriate for court-ordered volunteers
• Training or orientation required

Opportunity Description:

In 2011, Rainbow Refugee Society partnered with the Federal government to direct a blended sponsorship program called the Rainbow Refugee Assistance Partnership (RRAP). This is a national project, and Rainbow Refugee is responsible for working with its Circles of Hope and other community organizations across Canada to sponsor LGBTQ+ asylum seekers.
The RRAP is part of the private sponsorship stream. Private sponsorship generally is a 12-month commitment once the newcomer arrives in Canada. The applications for individuals and couples are submitted through government-approved Sponsorship Agreement holders (SAH).
We aim to:

• Create safer pathways to refugee protection for LGBTQI refugees
• Encourage participation by local LGBTQ2I communities and civil society in refugee sponsorship
• Promote a resettlement pathway that is responsive to distinct settlement challenges of LGBTQI refugees

Sponsorship creates a pathway to safer, more accepting communities for LGTBQI+ refugees who are at risk in countries of asylum. Rainbow Refugee Society brings people interested in forming a sponsorship group, or Circle of Hope, together to mentor them through sponsoring and resettling an LGTBQI+ refugee.