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May 26th, 2006 - 12:35:26 |
Dan Trepanier
A few months ago, the Refugee Peer Support Group was formed, and has been meeting on selected Sundays after the 11 AM service. This group, which is being led by Dan, has already supported several newcomers through their refugee application process.
In the coming months, Dan will be exploring how a more formal partnership can be formed between MCCT and the YMCA.
Working with Dan on this team has been Brian, Phil and Kevin, and others.
Others are encouraged to consider working on this team as well.
While the Refugee Peer Support Group has been evolving, the Refugee Sponsor Team has not been meeting. This group was original formed to sponsor the refugee application of P.V & K.K, and to examine the possibility of sponsoring other refugee applicants.
We have spent a good deal of time learning about the needs of refugees and discussing many options, but no clear direction for the team has been established.
Therefore, it was suggested that the Refugee Sponsor Team take a break for now. When we know more about the status of P& K’s application, we can regroup and plan how we will meet their needs and make sure that they are supported and welcomed in their new country.
As we move forward, we are putting out a call for a new leader of the Refugee Sponsor Team.
NOTE: We are still going to continue with running the LGBT Newcomer and Refugee Peer Support Groups.
Mar 6th, 2006 - 19:46:52 |
Dan Trepanier
March 2006 EVENTS
There was a posting in the Sunday News for members and friends of MCC Toronto.
GLBT Refugees: Are you a refugee to Canada or know of a recent refugee?
A Refugee Mission team of MCC Toronto wants to get input to help plan how we can help refugees who are in Canada.
Join us March 21st in room 109, 6.30 -8:30PM EST.
Enquires/ Suggestions RefugeeTeam@mcctoronto.com
The posting started March 11, 2006.
RESULTS: 9 PEOPLE ATTENDED
Discussion with Refugees
The discussion was led by Dan who asked “What do refugees want and need in Toronto?”
This was a very open-ended question which led to a laundry list of potential needs.
This list included peer support, direction, mentor, hope, belonging, safety, confidentiality, find trusting people, coming out in Canada, being able to be yourself, how to make a claim from within Canada, how to make money/find work in Canada, what ESL schools exist, a MCCT number to call when they land at the border so a team member can act as help for refugees landing.
From this the top priority at this stage was determined to be a group where they could discuss refugee issues in a peer setting. This will help them make connections with others who have / are going through the refugee process and can help guide each other.
PEER SUPPORT REFUGEE GROUP MEETING
On Sunday April 9th and possibly twice per month thereafter (could be a meeting or social), the refugee team will host a peer support group at MCCT. This will be attended by refugees and will require just one team member to attend to be the MCCT lead at these meetings. The leader to start the discussion and control the start and end time as well as ensure the room is reset and all attendees leave the church when done.
This group will set their agenda and topics for discussion.
At the Ash Wednesday (March 1, 2006) service at MCCT there were three New Refugees who attended the service. Afterwards it was a pleasure to connect with these guys and to spontaneously exchange thoughts and ideas.
John from Brazil Joins TIG and gets a profile at http://profiles.takingitglobal.org/Heartbreak and begins sharing. his thoughts on his TIGblog http://heartbreak.tigblog.org
Learn More about Metropolitan Community Church Toronto (MCCT) at http://www.mcctoronto.com
Jan 20th, 2006 - 19:01:51 |
Dan Trepanier
Tuesday, Feb 21st, at 6:30 at MCCT. Special Guest Michael Battista will bring us up-to-date on P & K (Names witheld to protect privacy) application, and will speak generally about the refugee application process and how we can be of help to those who apply.
Learn More about Metropolitan Community Church Toronto (MCCT) at http://www.mcctoronto.com
Jan 20th, 2006 - 18:58:26 |
Dan Trepanier
Wednesday, December 14, at 6:30 at MCCT. (This was scheduled outside of our regular routine because of the Christmas holidays.)
Adam G of the MCCT staff will be joining us to help us better define the purpose and mission of the team.
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