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How Our Committees Work
SAFE Steering members choose to volunteer and lead or participate in specific areas of support for the sponsored families. Many members engage in multiple committees. Most committees also has community volunteers, helping out on specific tasks and activities, depending on their interest and time commitment they are able to make. SAFE feels very grateful for having so many dedicated, amazing volunteers - as we say, it takes a village. Below are the descriptions of our primary committees.
SAFE Steering members choose to volunteer and lead or participate in specific areas of support for the sponsored families. Many members engage in multiple committees. Most committees also has community volunteers, helping out on specific tasks and activities, depending on their interest and time commitment they are able to make. SAFE feels very grateful for having so many dedicated, amazing volunteers - as we say, it takes a village. Below are the descriptions of our primary committees.
Sponsorship Application Management
This is where it all starts. This committee receives and reviews the sponsorship application, and once confirmed, provides support to the partner Constituent Groups or Co-Sponsor Groups to navigate through the application process, guide them to undertake necessary training program offered by RSTP (Refugee Sponsorship Training Program) to prepare for application and settlement process. It also liaises with IRCC and SAH Council to keep up to date on the rules, communicate with them for any clarifications and trouble shoot. The committee drafts and manages internal guidelines for receiving applications for sponsorship, besides managing the applications and formalities for co-sponsored families identified with IRCC such as under BVOR program.
This is where it all starts. This committee receives and reviews the sponsorship application, and once confirmed, provides support to the partner Constituent Groups or Co-Sponsor Groups to navigate through the application process, guide them to undertake necessary training program offered by RSTP (Refugee Sponsorship Training Program) to prepare for application and settlement process. It also liaises with IRCC and SAH Council to keep up to date on the rules, communicate with them for any clarifications and trouble shoot. The committee drafts and manages internal guidelines for receiving applications for sponsorship, besides managing the applications and formalities for co-sponsored families identified with IRCC such as under BVOR program.
Housing
This committee leads search and identification of housing for the incoming families, and to help with setting up the house before their arrival. Many community members have generously donated furniture, kitchenware, winter clothing, and other household items. Many volunteers chip in with their time and trucks -without whom this committee's work won't be possible. Many generous property owners and companies have been supportive to help this committee find suitable housing. They also engage the newcomer families to understand stipulations of the lease, renters rights and responsibilities, helping them transform their first house in Canada into a home.
This committee leads search and identification of housing for the incoming families, and to help with setting up the house before their arrival. Many community members have generously donated furniture, kitchenware, winter clothing, and other household items. Many volunteers chip in with their time and trucks -without whom this committee's work won't be possible. Many generous property owners and companies have been supportive to help this committee find suitable housing. They also engage the newcomer families to understand stipulations of the lease, renters rights and responsibilities, helping them transform their first house in Canada into a home.
Settlement
This particular committee welcomes and accompany the family, especially in the initial days and weeks of their arrival, helping them getting set-up in the new place. Many Steering committee members and volunteers get engaged in this work. The list of tasks is long and often unpredictable. This committee also coordinates with all other committees for specific needs and tasks, and with the Constituent and Co-Sponsor Groups to support them in performing the settlement related tasks effectively. Over the years, SAFE has learned a few lessons on how to best navigate the process, especially in small rural towns and communities with its unique challenges and opportunities.
This particular committee welcomes and accompany the family, especially in the initial days and weeks of their arrival, helping them getting set-up in the new place. Many Steering committee members and volunteers get engaged in this work. The list of tasks is long and often unpredictable. This committee also coordinates with all other committees for specific needs and tasks, and with the Constituent and Co-Sponsor Groups to support them in performing the settlement related tasks effectively. Over the years, SAFE has learned a few lessons on how to best navigate the process, especially in small rural towns and communities with its unique challenges and opportunities.
Health
Newcomer families often come living in difficult places with limited health facilities. The committee looks after the health priories and needs, organizing initial check-ups, setting up appointments, arranging for translation, getting the health and immunization records checked, apply and obtain MSI cards, register for family doctor, and helping the family navigate and understand our health system and services. Many community members, medical practitioners and St Martha Hospital members have generously supported the efforts. This committee keeps a close eye on all family members' needs - elders but especially young children and elders for any special needs.
Newcomer families often come living in difficult places with limited health facilities. The committee looks after the health priories and needs, organizing initial check-ups, setting up appointments, arranging for translation, getting the health and immunization records checked, apply and obtain MSI cards, register for family doctor, and helping the family navigate and understand our health system and services. Many community members, medical practitioners and St Martha Hospital members have generously supported the efforts. This committee keeps a close eye on all family members' needs - elders but especially young children and elders for any special needs.
Education
The committee coordinates for the adult members to enroll in English language classes that is often critical for them to not only live their daily lives and make social connections but also to find gainful employments. It provides support and guidance to children and young adults in enrolling and getting set-up in the schools, colleges or university, liaise with the institutions for necessary accommodations, and help access provincial and federal programs English language programs. SAFE has seen some amazing successes achieved by so many newcomer family members - young and old - that makes this committee's work very fulfilling.
The committee coordinates for the adult members to enroll in English language classes that is often critical for them to not only live their daily lives and make social connections but also to find gainful employments. It provides support and guidance to children and young adults in enrolling and getting set-up in the schools, colleges or university, liaise with the institutions for necessary accommodations, and help access provincial and federal programs English language programs. SAFE has seen some amazing successes achieved by so many newcomer family members - young and old - that makes this committee's work very fulfilling.
Employment
This committee works with the newcomer family members to understand and assess their experience and skill-sets, helps them access provincial service providers to prepare their bio-data for applying for jobs, and connect them with appropriate business and employers to find gainful employment. The committee also supports self-employment opportunities. Many local business and employers have supported the newcomers and found in them some very committed, dedicated and skills employees.
This committee works with the newcomer family members to understand and assess their experience and skill-sets, helps them access provincial service providers to prepare their bio-data for applying for jobs, and connect them with appropriate business and employers to find gainful employment. The committee also supports self-employment opportunities. Many local business and employers have supported the newcomers and found in them some very committed, dedicated and skills employees.
Fundraising
Raising funds is critical for SAFE for pursuing its mission to bring and resettle refugee families. This committee and its many community volunteers lead the fund raising efforts, especially fund raising campaigns to co-sponsoring BVOR program families identified by IRCC. The committee coordinates and manages outreach and relationships with individual as well as institutional donors, many of whom have been SAFE's dedicated supporters from its very inception in 2025. It is important for this committee to see fundraising as a truly community initiative and effort. The committee is also responsible for organizing special fund raising events.
Raising funds is critical for SAFE for pursuing its mission to bring and resettle refugee families. This committee and its many community volunteers lead the fund raising efforts, especially fund raising campaigns to co-sponsoring BVOR program families identified by IRCC. The committee coordinates and manages outreach and relationships with individual as well as institutional donors, many of whom have been SAFE's dedicated supporters from its very inception in 2025. It is important for this committee to see fundraising as a truly community initiative and effort. The committee is also responsible for organizing special fund raising events.
Donate here for the 10A Celebrations and Fundraising Campaign and Event