Our homes are vital to our well-being. They are the shelters where we care for our families and ourselves, our places were we sleep, and eat, keep warm in winter and cool in summer. Without a home, our mental and physical health suffers and the future is dark. These insights affect the way we respond to homelessness in our local communities, but the tragic effects of homelessness for people who flee their country of origin seeking protection is less well known. According to the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR), 12 million people are homeless, and 6.3 million people are "internally" displaced by internal persecution. According to Amnesty International, "Refugees leave their country because they have no other choice and fear for their own life or safety or that of their family. Refugees also flee their country when their government will not or cannot protect them from serious human rights abuses. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and those forced to move within their own country because of war, persecution or environmental disasters, rather than cross national borders are at great risk." The need to understand this human predicament and seek ways to help is a moral imperative.

People have always had to flee their homes seeking sanctuary from persecution. Matthew's gospel tells how Mary, Joseph, and the child Jesus flee their home in Bethlehem, Judea, as King Herod's fear unleashes state violence against innocent children to keep power. Like a few very fortunate contemporary refugees, Egypt is a short exile for the Holy Family. They return home to Nazareth after Herod's death. For most refugees today, returning home to settle again among one's own people, is not an option, though for many it is a preference. So most 21st century refugees find haven in a UN refugee camp, not able to leave. Most never find a home, in spite of searching, sometimes for years. An example is a group of Palestinians. Amnesty International describes their plight: "Having fled killings, kidnappings, torture, and death threats, about 3,000 Palestinian refugees from Iraq are currently stranded in three camps along the border between Syria and Iraq. Denied asylum and refugee rights, they are extremely vulnerable in poorly situated camps. The Syrian government and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) are both open to third country resettlement on humanitarian grounds and on the basis of individual choice. Therefore, the challenge now lies with both traditional and emerging resettlement countries, in collaboration with the UNHCR, to accept these Palestinian refugees from Iraq for resettlement, allowing the inhospitable camps to be closed." Who will come forward to offer a home for them, and with a home, a future?

In our Diocese, there have been episodic efforts in the past to assist refugees to find permanent homes in Canada. The last big effort was in response to the homelessness caused by the civil war in Bosnia in the mid-90s. Once again we hear voices urging us to take up the task of permanent resettlement of refugees. The PWRDF is the catalyst behind the current effort. To coincide with its 50th year of humanitarian work, the PWRDF is asking dioceses and parishes across Canada to sponsor at least 50 refugees this year. The PWRDF is providing seed money for every sponsorship.

In Kaslo and area, the work has already begun. The Ministry Support Council have unanimously approved in principle proceeding towards sponsoring either a person or a family. Fund raising will begin soon. A Coordinating Committee is set to start work in January, 2009. Dirk Pidcock reports that $2,000.00 seed money from the PWRDF will be added to two other contributions totaling $1,000.00 for a very promising start to meet the financial needs of sponsorship. Sponsoring groups, working with the Federal government under the rules and regulations outlined in the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, 2001, and administered by local representatives of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), need to have the resources, both financial and volunteer, to support a refugee resettlement for one year. The coordinating group would find housing, employment, schooling, and second language support. Most importantly, the resettlement group becomes the refugee families support group, and extended family. Transition to a new country can take years.

Once all resources are in place and the CIC has suggested a family for sponsorship to a group and the sponsorship group has agreed to support a refugee, an agreement is signed between the CIC and a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH). These organizations are the legal sponsors of refugees. The CIC describes SAHs this way: "A number of organizations across the country have signed sponsorship agreements with the Government of Canada to help support refugees from abroad when they resettle in Canada. These organizations are known as sponsorship agreement holders. They can sponsor refugees themselves or work with others in the community to sponsor refugees. Most sponsorship agreement holders are religious, ethnic, community or service organizations." The Diocese of Kootenay was a SAH, and is in the process of renewing its agreement with CIC.

In the North Okanagan Region, All Saint's, Vernon and the Sorrento Centre are pursuing the idea of refugee sponsorship. Heather Karabelas, our diocesan PWRDF representative, will take the idea of refugee sponsorship to the Central Okanagan Clericus in January, 2009, and to the next diocesan council meeting in March. The hope is that each region and each parish will support, either the efforts of existing diocesan groups such as the one in Kaslo — who are supporting refugees financially — or organize a group and begin the process of working with CIC to sponsor a refugee.

There is much work to do. Many have many needs, but there is always "the one" who badly needs us. Carolyn Vanderlip, who is part of the Refugee Network of the PWRDF in the Anglican Diocese of Niagara, has written in "Refugee Update," Summer 2008, of how that Diocese, a SAH, has recently offered to sponsor Mariyam from Syria. Mariyam was left behind when Ali, her betrothed husband who lives in Hamilton, came as a refugee to Canada in 2002. Because he did not declare Mariyam as a "spouse" when he was settled in Canada, she was denied entry under the Family Class Sponsorship. The only way for her to come to Canada is through private sponsorship. Ali and Mariyam are now married and expecting a child. The Diocese of Niagara is doing its part to unite this family under one roof. May God bless their work, and ours, as we help others find a home.

Share the Warmth

By Heather Karabelas

photo by heather karabelas

SHARING SHOES — St. Michael's, Kelowna, "Share the Warmth" drive.

On Saint Nicholas Day, Dec. 6, St. Michael's Cathedral in Kelowna invited members of the congregation and local community to drop off warm clothing, pantry items, and toiletries to be given out to people who are homeless or living in shelters. A tremendous amount of warm clothing and food items were received.

The "Share the Warmth" drive was in support of the Inn From the Cold-Kelowna program and the Kelowna Drop-In Centre.

Donations were received at the cathedral from 10 am until noon and then from 1-3 pm. Those in need were invited to pick up the clothing and stay for hot chocolate and cookies. About 20-25 people stopped by to select warm clothing from the tremendous selection of donated items. Over a mug of hot chocolate those present had time to share stories and good will.

Clothes were also distributed as well to the Kelowna Drop-In Centre, the Alexander Gardner Safe House for Women, Share and the Salvation Army. About 14 boxes of food and toiletries were given to Inn From the Cold-Kelowna and the Kelowna Drop-In Centre.

Members of the cathedral congregation worked hard to sort clothes and food, serve guests and pack up the clothes for distribution. Okanagan Mission Secondary School student volunteers and their teacher Katie Wilson Nault worked with the members of the cathedral family to make the "Share the Warmth" clothing and food drive successful.

This was an event that certainly brought the community together and reflected the message of the gospel.