CRWRC Recognized For Refugee Sponsorship

The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee has been recognized by the government of Canada for its role in sponsoring refugee families and welcoming them into Canada. 

"It has been 30 years since the first private sponsorship application was submitted in Canada," said Kathleen O’Shea, a Citizenship and Immigration officer with Citizenship and Immigration Canada in Hamilton, Ontario. 

To mark this anniversary, Jason Kenny, the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism recognized sponsorship agreement holders across Canada with a letter of thanks and acknowledgement. This letter was delivered by O'Shea during a ceremony at the CRC’s Burlington, Ontario, office.

There are about 90 sponsorship agreement holders across Canada, including CRWRC. Each agreement holder is a community organization, church, or diocese who works with the government of Canada to bring refugee families to this country and help them get settled into their new life. 

"Canada is unique among nations welcoming refugees because it is the only country that allows sponsorship capabilities by private organizations. The Christian Reformed Church was in the original group of churches that signed a sponsorship agreement back in 1979," explained Rose Dekker, CRWRC’s refugee coordinator.

To carry out this task, CRWRC works with Christian Reformed churches across Canada to help them sponsor refugees and provide them with housing, supplies, and fellowship during their first months in Canada.

"Since it began its refugee sponsorship program, CRWRC has helped to bring approximately 2,500 refugee families or about 6,850 people to Canada," said Dekker.

Click here to find out more about CWRC's Refugee Sponsorship program.