Working together to build a welcoming community
On a cold, windy November day, our Settlement team moved ten refugee families from their temporary accommodations at a hotel to permanent accommodations.
Although this is something that we do regularly, on this occasion, we had a few extra hurdles to overcome. There are many big events in November, which makes the availability of hotels scarce. We had to find housing that could accommodate different family sizes, from families with 3 people to families with 12. We also had to help families find furniture and household items to feel at home in their new spaces.
All of this for one family can be a lot of work, timing that by over 10 families, it was a huge undertaking. Thankfully, we are not alone; we able to do this with support from community partners, landlords and local businesses who share our desire to provide a safe haven to those fleeing violence and persecution.
Through our long-term partnership with Deveraux Apartments, we moved our clients to apartments in Harbour Landing. Deveraux provided support during the Syrian initiative. They have stepped up again to help us find homes and make the move-in process as easy as possible.
We have also worked with Knight Archer insurance, who have helped us secure tenant insurance, giving families up to 30 days to pay for the plan.
Jump.ca continues to support us by providing new refugee arrivals cellphones or sim cards along with a 3-month phone plan so they can stay connected to the community and their families.
Jump.ca is also a great partner in our Employment program. They take on work placements and help newcomers gain valuable customer service work experience.
On this Giving Tuesday, we are incredibly grateful for how our community always shows up to help newcomers and refugees feel welcome and at home in Regina.
If you want to get involved, we encourage you to volunteer, donate and spread the word about the reality of refugees.
You can make monetary donations through our donations page or by clicking here.
We are always looking for housing that can fit large families. If you are a landlord or know someone with property available for rent, please check our website to fill out our Housing Registry form.
As we approach our cold winter months, there will be an increased need for winter clothing. If you want to donate new or gently used winter clothing, please email us at donate@rods.sk.ca. We will distribute donations to families in need, and anything that is not used will be donated to other community organizations.
If you would like to volunteer, click here to find out more about ways to volunteer.
