SAFE's Work 2015-2022

SAFE formed in May 2015 in response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Since that time we have worked hard as a 100% volunteer organization to sponsor and re-settle refugee newcomers in our community and, as a Settlement Agreement Holder (SAH), to support the sponsorship and resettlement efforts of other community groups.

We have grown as an organization, have learned a lot about what is required to successfully re-settle families, and are currently assessing our capacity as we continue to receive requests to sponsor more families. Refugee/newcomers now comprise 2% of the population of Antigonish and will grow to 3.5 % with anticipated family arrivals.
As a rural, small town community, our primary challenges are providing adequate EAL classes, housing, employment supports.   

SAFE By The Numbers

SAFE Sponsored Syrian Families - Arrived
16 Syrian families, including:
- 27 adults
- 36 children of all ages
- 5 children born in Canada
​
SAFE Sponsored Syrian Families – Arrival Pending
​10 families: 18 adults, 21 children

Now in Community
Adults: 42
​Children: 60 (approximately)

Arrival Pending
Adults: 24
​Children: 27

​Constituent Group Sponsored Families - Arrived
​CARE: 5 families, 1 Syrian, 2 Somalian, 2 Congolese – 5 adults, 10 children
Tri-HEART: 3 Syrian families – 6 adults, ? children
Syrian Family Reunification Project, Inverness: 2 Syrian families – 4 adults, ? children

Constituent Group Sponsored Families – Arrival Pending
6 families including linked applications
CARE: 2 families, Congolese – 2 adults, 2 children
Syrian Family Reunification Project, Inverness: 1 family,
​Syrian – 1 adult
FAIR Hearts, Westville: 2 families, Iraqi – 3 adults, 3 children

​