We have been asked by ORAT (Office of Refugees of the Archdiocese of Toronto) if we would sponsor a Christian Iraqi family (2 adults and 3 young daughters) currently refugees in Lebanon. This sponsorship would be funded by Project Hope, an ORAT fund, and thus there would be no, or only mnimal, cost to the members of YPBC. We know nothing else about the family.
This sponsorship was discussed at last night's Board of Mission meeting and the Board was supportive. It would however like to be sure that volunteers would be forthcoming to support the various resettlement activities such as:

• Applying for Government documents (OHIP, permanent resident card etc);
• Finding accommodation;
• Shopping;
• Registering children in school;
• Facilitating medical, dental treatment;
• Navigating the TTC;
• Enrolling in English classes;
• Connecting them to the Iraqi community;
• Driving to appointments, etc

If a sufficient number of volunteers comes forward the sponsorship will almost certainly proceed, given that there will be no cost to the church. So please let me know as soon as possible if you would be willing to volunteer and lets not hesitate to make this sponsorship happen. Please send me a note (mwills@chartwellconsulting.ca) if you are willing to volunteer. Thank you!