More grants to aid Syrian refugees

The Immigration Partnership Council this week announced five new grants to agencies and private sponsorship groups supporting Syrian newcomers. New grants totalling $60,000 under the Immigration Partnership Fund for Syrian Newcomers were approved, bringing total grant-making to $408,970.

Among the new grants are $25,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo Region to provide in-school mentoring for Syrian children and youth and $25,000 to Muslim Social Services Kitchener-Waterloo to enable Syrian families to identify and address family violence and to empower women.

“Applications to the fund show an ongoing need to support both the most immediate settlement needs of Syrian families as well as programming focusing more on their social connectedness, inclusion and success in Waterloo Region,” said Peter Donahue, Immigration Partnership Council chair. “The generous donations of Waterloo Region residents are enabling solid program delivery and helping families access urgently needed dental treatment.”

Community donations up to $400,000 are being matched through The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation. The Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation has also been collecting donations.

The Immigration Partnership Fund for Syrian Newcomers continues to accept applications for support from agencies and private sponsors on a rolling basis. The next deadline is Aug.3.

Since last November, more than 29,200 Syrian refugees have arrived in Canada. Over 1,275 have settled in Waterloo Region.