Outcomes and Impact

Image source: Kris Dubé

Differences they have made to the community

IMMEDIATE ImpactS:

Providing safe shelter to each family
Creation of community gardens
Building lasting friendships for the refugees
Eliminating language barriers

Long Term impacts:

Refugees could go on to independently support themselves
Easy transfer into Canadian Life
Able to find affordable housing
Becoming a part of the community

How does the community respond to Casa El Norte

The community has seen the acts of Casa El Norte and decided to help. Lakeshore Catholic High School (located in Port Colborne) created a fundraiser where students donate food, toys, and money, then the school divvies it up between charities in the area or families who need it, Casa El Norte being one of the charities that receive this donation. Other groups such as elementary schools and organizations donate to Casa El Norte. As well as groups of people in the local area who also have found their own ways to donate and support Casa El Norte.

How the Programs prevent other social issues

Casa El Norte's programs and services act to prevent many social issues. Some of these social issues include poverty, homelessness, language barriers, poor mental health, unsafe living conditions, unemployment, abuse, racism, and xenophobia (prejudice and discrimination against people from other countries). Casa El Norte helps to prevent this by ensuring that the refugees have shelter, food, language classes, access to therapy, and much more.

Proudest moments and successes

One of Casa El Norte's proudest moments was its 25-year anniversary of continuously providing service and welcome to refugee claimants, which has now grown to be 32 years!

They are proud to be working with many organizations and services year after year.

Yet, their biggest success is being able to support our community every day, providing aid to Canada's future.

A little goes a long way

Fleeing to another country is difficult for anybody, no matter your past. So, when it comes to refugee children, the weight of struggle is immense. It can be strange at times for their young minds to handle the complete change in scenery and people. In order to ease their minds and stress, Casa El Norte provides toys and games to the children. These are given by both the shelter and donations from schools and organizations. Lakeshore Catholic High School is a major donor of toys for this charity.

In addition, the community garden we wrote of is a pleasant memory for the children who stayed at the shelter. It was exciting for them to grow their own plants and food and give back to the community which supported them so much.

Johnbosco: His story

Ever since the new president of Uganada has been elected, those who are a part of the LGBT+ community, including supporters, have been prosecuted and are unwelcome in the country. They face mental and physical torture both by citizens and law enforcement. Johnbosco Mugumya, a devoted activist for all human rights, was forced out of his birth country due to attending some pride parades in the United States in June. In order to truly begin his story in Canada we must start the December of 2022, when Johnbosco landed in Montreal and made his way to Fort Erie by bus and train.

RECIEVED BENEVOLENTLY

He explained heartwarmingly how kind the people were when he was first welcomed in Canada, quite unlike the treatment he was used to in Uganda. One thing he was expecting was harsh Canadian weather, though not to such a degree. Without a stable home or shelter, Johnbosco was forced to use other means. He would by day stay in the Fort Erie Public Library until it closed and then he would wait two hours--no matter rain, sleet, or snow--until the emergency shelters opened up, where he would then stay until the mornings. He would soon discover and reach out to Casa El Norte who would provide the right and support every human being deserves; a safe and warm place to stay.

CHALLENGES

When Johnbosco was asked about the challenges he faced in Canada and he explained that there was nothing unexpected. His greatest challenge was finding a job and renting a place to stay. Our country has a policy that jobs can not ask for Candian-specific work experience, though this is exactly what most do. Johnbosco applied for a total of 200 jobs. He told me, "We have rights, and policies should be followed. But they aren't." In the search for an apartment, newcomers are requested much of what they do not have, such as credit scores, letters of recommendation, recent landlords, and job notes. It is a difficult search for accommodation that is nearly impossible when coming from scratch. As well, he explained that Casa El Norte provided him with a community of other claimants and immigrants which is an important element to life for newcomers in Canada, which can otherwise become lonely without a community. In the end, he said with a laugh, "The world is not flat, there are risks and difficulties" and he knew that. "I see challenges as opportunities for us to grow."

ASPIRATIONS

When asked about his plans and goals for his future, Johnbosco said excitedly that he is passionate about mental health. He especially wants to support Black and Afro-Latin Canadian youth as well as all those who are often marginalized. He greatly aspires to study medicine and psychiatry. His greatest goal, as he stated, was to "give back to the country that gave to him."

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