Help My Sister Sponsor a LGBTQ+ Refugee

This isn't one of my usual updates, but it's too cool and important not to share:

My sister Courtney is sponsoring an LGBTQ+ asylum seeker through Rainbow Refugee! 

She’s formed a group with nine other people and committed to sponsor a refugee and help them settle in Canada. This group is called a Circle of Hope, and the name of her Circle is Lighthouse.

What a Circle does before arrival:

- raises the funds

- completes application forms

- creates a settlement plan to support the newcomer for 12 months

- communicates with the person they are sponsoring before they arrive

- provides encouragement and emotional support

What a Circle does after arrival:

- meets refugees when they arrive in the sponsor group’s city

- helps locate suitable accommodations

- shops with the newcomer for basic furniture and other household essentials; clothing, and food.

- introduces the newcomer to the transit system

- orients them to the community and the resources available to them

- provides emotional and significant settlement assistance to the refugees for the duration of the sponsorship period

- provides encouragement and assistance with adjustment to life in Canada

- teaches the newcomer about rights and responsibilities of permanent residents in Canada

- helps newcomers learn an official language and seek employment

- assists with finding employment

This is a huge multi-year commitment, and my sister’s group is currently raising the funds required. Please consider donating to Lighthouse. The money raised goes towards covering living costs, shelter, food, etc. for the newcomer during their first year in Canada. Every donation, no matter how small, plays a critical role in securing the life and safety of a refugee.

Here’s the link to donate (select Lighthouse under the Fund option): https://www.rainbowrefugee.com/donate

I feel so proud of my little sister. 🖤