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Project Abraham was created in early 2015 to find volunteers and sponsors to re-settle Yezidi refugees from Syria, Turkey, and Iraq in the GTA. We have been working with congregations and community groups in the GTA establishing Refugee Sponsorship Committees of 5 - 8 people. Our facilitating partners are Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAH) who process immigrants, such as Jewish Immigration Aid Service (JIAS), and the Office of Refugees, Archdiocese of Toronto (ORAT). In addition, we are raising public awareness of the plight of the Yezidis, raising the necessary funds, assisting with the immigration process for refugees hoping to arrive in the family reunification program, and advocating on behalf of the Yezidis with the Canadian government.
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There is still much work to be done in achieving immigration equality for the Yezidi people. Nevertheless, we will work very closely with the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration on all our refugee cases. Successfully settling a refugee family requires more than a government agency. It also requires committed community participation. The government has worked to reduce wait times for refugees, but we must donate our own time and efforts to make Project Abraham work. |
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Questions?
- How much does it cost to sponsor a Yezidi family?
- How can I give financially?
- How long will it take for the refugee family to arrive in Canada?
- Is there more I can do?
- Do you have a sense that there are really that many Yezidi refugees who want to come to Canada?
- Where will the refugees settle in the GTA? Do you have a place for them?
The sponsorship cost per family (2 adults and four children) is approximately $35,000. As the remnants of surviving families come together to form new family units that are quite different from the nuclear family, this cost can vary considerably.
The administrative cost of guiding a family through the immigration process to their successful integration is 15% of that.
Donations can be made through our website donation page via STRIPE. All donations will immediately be issued a charitable tax receipt.
To donate now click here
Those wishing to support Project Abraham by cheque, please contact Helen Latimer at 416-556-8287
The average period is likely to be 1 – 2 years but we are hoping the Canadian government will expedite these cases due to the humanitarian crisis.
Successfully settling a refugee family requires more than a government agency. It also requires community support in many ways.
If you wish to be a Project Abraham volunteer, please go to our volunteer page to see the wide variety of ways in which you can participate or contact our Executive Director, Helen Latimer at [email protected]
There at least three to four hundred thousand Yezidi in Syria and Iraq who would come to Canada at a moment's notice. They have lost everything. Their men and boys have been slaughtered by ISIS and thousands of their women and girls abducted into sexual slavery. Their towns have been decimated and current political realities prevent them from rebuilding their homes and lives.
Yezidis are often victims of hostile groups in the refugee camps themselves.
Resettlement Groups are set up to take care of all the needs of the refugees once they arrive, including finding housing for them.
If you would like to be part of a resettlement group or to form your own resettlement group with friends, family, or your community, please contact our Executive Director, Helen Latimer at [email protected]