Getting Started
Now that you understand a little of what is involved and are familiar with the types of sponsorship available, we are glad you want to explore further.
In this next area, we anticipate and address the next questions you may have including sponsor group responsibilities, costs, more detailed PSR program descriptions, and understanding the process.
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The Associated Gospel Churches is a SAH which means that any of our AGC churches can form what IRCC refers to as a Constituent Group (CG) and submit an application to sponsor a refugee through the PSR, BVOR or JAS programs.
The AGC Refugee Sponsorship Initiative Co-directors will gladly answer your questions, address your concerns and work with you in your efforts to pursue refugee sponsorship. We will ensure sponsoring groups have the information and resources needed to "welcome the stranger" and become hands and feet of compassion in our world's refugee crisis today.
An AGC church may also elect to work with a co-sponsor - such as family members of a refugee, or another organization - to deliver the financial & settlement support required to carry through a successful sponsorship to its conclusion.
The Guide for Sponsorship Agreement Holders to privately sponsor refugees (IMM5413) is IRCC's guide to refugee sponsorship. This guide, available on-line or as a hard copy, provides information related to who can be sponsored and much more.
According to the 1951 Convention, a convention refugee is defined as any person who
Stage 1 – SAH process
Getting Started:
As you consider whether you and others in your church could sponsor a refugee person or family, interested persons will:
- learn about the distinct types of sponsorships
- speak to the church leadership about their interest in refugee sponsorship
- form a team with a minimum of 5 people
- submit pre-screening forms for any church-referred refugees
- begin fundraising as needed
There are three other sources of excellent information and material that are available to anyone interested in learning more about the Private Sponsorship of Refugees.
When a church signs a sponsorship agreement, it becomes fully accountable for assuming the responsibilities that are detailed in the sponsorship agreement, and is thereafter referred to as the "Sponsorship Group" or the "Constituency Group (CG)" or as in this article, the "Sponsoring Constituency Group."
The responsibilities of the CG include:
- Providing basic financial support (e.g., for housing and food) and care for the sponsored newcomer1 during the sponsorship period (generally a period of one year), or until the sponsored newcomer no longer requires assistance, whichever comes first;
- Ensuring it has sufficient resources and expertise to carry out its responsibilities;
- Remaining jointly or solely liable with any co-sponsors that have signed a sponsorship undertaking.
What settlement assistance is required from a Sponsoring Constituency Group?
Read more: What Are the Responsibilities of a Sponsorship Group?
Table 1: Sponsorship Costs (2019)
The sponsoring group must show that they have sufficient financial resources at least equal to social assistance rates in the settlement community to support the sponsored refugees for the duration of the sponsorship period. The sponsorship application kit includes the following sponsorship cost table that provides estimated assistance rates which a group can use as a guide for support levels. For instance, if a group plans to sponsor one person, the sponsorship costs amount to $13,500.