Refugee Sponsorship Fundraiser

Thank you for NOT attending an in-person Refugee Sponsorship Fundraiser

WHAT: You are invited to join the Social Justice Committee of Lutheran Church of the Cross for a Zoominar Fundraiser for Refugee Sponsorship  

An informative session led by guest speaker Sabine Lehr who will address the topic: Distant but Together: Sponsoring Refugees during a Global Pandemic  

WHEN: Tuesday August 18th from 6:30-8 pm  

WHO:  Congregational members, friends, family, neighbouring faith communities and, people interested in learning about refugee sponsorship   

WHY:  To raise $30,000 to support more vulnerable refugee populations           

Details on how to donate will be provided during the Zoominar  

HOW: Registration via Lutheran Church of the Cross office by email lutheranchurchofthecross@shaw.ca or phone 250-477-6222

Deadline to register is Monday, August 17th.

About our Guest:

Sabine Lehr

Sabine is eminently qualified to provide us with an update on the current situation of refugees. She manages private sponsorship of refugees with the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, has been a member of the Council of the Canadian Refugee Sponsorship Agreement Holders Association since 2016, and is current Chair of the Council. In her role at ICA she assists European countries in exploring either private or community sponsorships.  

Sabine obtained a Master of Business Administration in International Management from the University of London, and a PhD in Educational Studies from the University of Victoria. She went on to complete a postgraduate Certificate in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies from York University.  

About the Topic

Distant Together: Sponsoring Refugees during a Global Pandemic

Globally, refugees and displaced persons have been affected disproportionately by the COVID19 pandemic. Only a small number of countries offer resettlement opportunities, but far below what is needed to provide homes for those in desperate need.

In 2019 Canada was the largest resettlement country in the world, due in part to a long-standing private refugee sponsorship program that allows ordinary Canadians to complement the Government’s resettlement program. Under this program, sponsors continued referring refugees during the Pandemic, but only with the assurance of having the necessary funds needed to support the refugees during their first year in Canada.  

The Social Justice Committee