Refugee sponsorship groups gain much-needed support to resolve and prevent conflicts that hinder the sponsorship process
Vietnam. Kosovo. Syria. Ukraine. The number of people fleeing persecution, starvation and war has ever been greater. With that demand comes increased administration, red tape, delay, and inevitably, conflict. To support refugees and sponsorship groups, we introduced a series of dedicated workshops, coaching and mediation services designed to improve the transition to the new life in Canada.
Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, this national program helps sponsorship groups and gives them the skills to manage difficult issues, decisions and conflicts that can undermine the work and lead to the breakdown and failure of sponsorship. Sharon and Helen, from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan, learned this first-hand.
“We heard about The Neighbourhood Group’s refugee sponsorship services through the Sponsorship Agreement Holder Association. Because we live in Grande-Prairie, Alberta, we signed up for the Zoom workshops right away. Whether it was learning to recognize our own communication blockers, applying active listening or gaining awareness of cultural considerations and power imbalances, we gained the tools we need to deal with conflicts and difficult situations in the sponsorship process.
“We now realize that conflict is part of life and is actually an opportunity for growth when it is resolved.”