Kincardine Refugee Sponsorship Committee
Working together as a welcoming community to help refugees in need find safety and support.
Embedded Files
Our Spring Fling was a great success - we are considering making it an annual event! What do you think??
Recognition of sponsors of Spring Fling:
We’d like to recognize our sponsors for the Spring Fling, held on April 18 and say a very big thank you to all of them:
Bruce Power has been generous to us over the years and has sponsored this event again this year through their Community Investment funding program.
Municipality of Kincardine has also been a generous donor and provided us with a donation again this year through their Community Investment Grants
She Shed sponsored our line dancing star, Carmen Coborn.
Penetangear continues to be our box office downtown and has been a long-time supporter of our mission.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 183 donated the room and helped us promote the evening through their channels.
We also had donations from a number of supporters who were not able to attend tonight and who donated cash or tickets that we can give or resell.
And finally, thank you to the generous Silent Auction Donors:
Harbour Rose
Ainsdale Golf Course
Lise Pomeroy
Helping families find safety and a new beginning.
The Almerei Family 🔻
In 2020, the Almerei family from Syria arrived in Kincardine. Despite isolation and online schooling, the family settled into Kincardine, made many friends, and became Canadian Citizens. They currently have 2 sons in university and 3 children still at home. They have moved to London, Ontario last year to be closer to the older children during their time in university, although our committee stays in touch as they navigate life in Canada
" My family and I are working hard to achieve higher education, build our future, and give back to this generous country that welcomed us as citizens"
__________I_________
The Elahi Family
The Elahi’s, arrived from Iran in 2016. They have settled in Toronto and London, where they pursued postsecondary education and found jobs
___________________
The Habibi Family
Romal Habibi receiving his Secondary School Diploma
Farah Habibi's story:
I come from a country where we had to ask for permission just to speak—especially as women, that was incredibly hard. Laughing out loud, going out freely, even just having a voice was always a struggle.
In the midst of that darkness, we found light—we met the Kincardine Refugee Community. They were like a miracle to us. Their support, kindness, and compassion lifted us when we were at our lowest. From them, I learned the true meaning of humanity—how to be kind to strangers, how to care for those with no family ties, and how powerful it is to simply stand with someone. They rejoiced with us in our joy and cried with us in our sorrow. To them, I want to say thank you. Thank you for giving us hope. Thank you for shining light into the darkest corners of our lives.
I came from a place of fear, anxiety, sorrow, and silence. But now—I am filled with hope. I am healing. I am happy. I am dreaming again.
History and Update Summer 2025
The need is great. We need your help.
In 2014 the world became increasingly aware of a horrific civil war in Syria. In 2015, who can forget the horrible image of a 2-year-old Alan Kkurdi, washed up on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea? Just horrible.
Yes, the word “refugee” became a familiar word, but the people of Kincardine opened up both their hearts and their wallets to help out. We saw the need.
2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the Kincardine Refugee Committee. With your help, we have brought 3 families to a new land. We have provided safety, support, hope, and friendship. Community contributors include doctors, dentists, teachers, volunteer drivers, mentors and helpers of all description. We continue in that effort, but we need your support.
When we apply for a sponsorship, the process can take up to 3 years, during which time those being sponsored undergo a protocol which includes an interview by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), medicals and an in-depth security background check, all in the country into which they have fled. If everything is found to be in order they are approved to come to Canada as Permanent Residents. That’s when we get really busy.
Our committee is financially responsible to support our refugee families for a period of one year. We help them learn about Canada, to learn English, to get off to a successful start in their new country.
The first sponsored family arrived in 2016, they settled in, and found success here in Canada, becoming Canadian Citizens, attending post-secondary institutions and finding jobs.
In 2020, during the early grip of Covid, a long-awaited family from Syria arrived, and despite entering online schooling and isolation, the family settled in, made many friends and became Canadian Citizens. They currently have 2 sons in university, a daughter in grade 12, and two younger sons. They have relocated to London so the older children can attend post-secondary schools while living at home.
During the summer of 2022 we became aware of a family from Afghanistan, who were in dire need of safe harbour. Arriving in the spring of 2023, the family has astounded us with their determination to become successful within our community. Their positivity shines brightly, as they enjoy their new life here, with two members joining the Kincardine Refugee Committee steering committee so that they can provide insight and help to others in need.
How does this work?
We need approximately $17,000 per person, and up to $60, 000 for a family of six. Neither our committee nor the sponsored refugee(s) receives funding from the Canadian Government beyond normal tax credits. Even the cost of travel to Canada must be paid back by the refugee(s) to the government.
Today?
We have a new sponsorship beginning right now. A young Afghan mother with two small children has escaped Afghanistan. She has been hiding for a few years now. Her only hope is us – to make a new life for her little family.
Help us bring this family to Kincardine by making a donation to our cause!
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse