The AURA Bulletin ~ news & updates for refugee supporters ~ December 2019 | AURA's Quarterly Newsletter Welcome to the latest edition of the AURA newsletter. 2019 has seen many changes, but what continues is the incredible partnerships that allow refugees to rebuild their lives in Canada within caring communities. This year AURA has submitted applications for 63 refugees from nine nationalities living in 13 different countries of temporary asylum. Together we have also welcomed 82 newcomers from 11 different countries. In 2020 we will be looking for new parishes, churches, and community groups to build these life-changing partnerships. Please contact us if you would like to know more about how you can get involved in Refugee Sponsorship. T hank you for being part of the AURA community! ~ Alex and Marin (your AURA team)

Buy a Day of AURA in 2020

Thank you so much to those of you who have already bought a Day of AURA in 2020! After receiving funding from our core partners, we need to raise an additional $146 for each day of AURA in 2020. We do several fundraising events throughout the year to make up this difference. We have already reached 75% of our goal from our end of the year appeal! AURA depends on people like you, people who are willing to help some of the world’s most vulnerable, make refugee sponsorship possible. Your support allows sponsors to use AURA resources and staff to ensure refugees have an opportunity to rebuild their lives.  There is still time to donate this year: give by December 31st to get a 2019 tax receipt. Buy a Day of AURA Online

Welcome to Canada Once again, AURA is pleased to report recent arrivals: Oct. 10: family of 4 from Rwanda Oct. 17: family of 6 from Syria Nov. 4: family of 2 from Syria Dec. 10: Single from Eritrea Dec. 10: Single from Syria 2019 has seen the arrival of 82 people from nine different countries of origin. This is what happens when we work together to help refugees. Handbook Update AURA has recently updated our handbook.This newest version is updated with recent changes to financial guidelines as well as many other important sponsorship and settlement topics. T his resource is designed to help sponsors plan and carry out a successful refugee sponsorship as effectively as possible. Visit the AURA website to access the updated handbook

Ride for Refuge:

Ride 2019 was an amazing success! On October 5th, 89 walkers/rider/runners making up 12 AURA teams completed the 2019 Ride for Refuge. Many participants gathered in Toronto, but teams and participants were in London, Newcastle, and even Nanaimo BC. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated by riding, walking, running, and donating. All of these efforts are vital in allowing AURA to continue providing support and expertise to groups involved in refugee sponsorship and resettlement.

Many of the Toronto riders and walkers.

Pictures from around this year's Ride:

Newcastle's Team.led by sponsored refugee Ahmed

London's Team

(left) Nadia Heyd, AURA's Ride Leader in Toronto.

AURA Borealis Team in Toronto.

Walkers along Lake Ontario.

BMO's Ride team in Toronto.

Did you see?

40 Years of Refugee Sponsorship at Islington United Church Recently, Islington United Church celebrated 40 years of refugee sponsorship. Throughout this time they have welcomed 103 people, making up 33 families, from 13 different countries.Their dedication to helping refugees is truly special. Read the full CBC story here.

Canada welcomes asylum seeker who spent six years in Australian detention centre Through a private sponsorship program, Canadians have been relocating asylum seekers from Australia’s offshore immigration detention centres to Canada -- as permanent residents, including Amirhossein Sahragard Read the full CTV story here.

Canadians' misperceptions about immigration reflect disinformation online: experts When asked where most immigrants to Canada come from, a majority of Canadians get it wrong. In fact, many Canadians hold a number of misconceptions about the immigration system, according to a poll published by Angus Reid. Read the full CBC story here.

Ask AURA anything:

How much does it really cost to sponsor a family? Thanks to the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program, there is a new tool to help you meet the financial requirements of refugee sponsorship. This tool provides an estimate of the minimum sponsorship costs, based on information entered into the calculator.  Sponsors should develop a budget based on the actual costs of living in their community and allow for contingencies that address the specific needs of the family. But this is an excellent place to begin. Click here for this useful tool

Do you have a question? Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any sponsorship questions. We are here to help. Call the office at (416) 588-1612 or click the link below.

AURA | www.auraforrefugees.org

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