« Il n’y a pas des bons réfugiés, pas des mauvais réfugiés, tous qu’il y a c’est des personnes on besoin. »
Par Sergio Granillo
C’est la soirée d’avril 29, à l’église de la Communauté du Parc Laurent à Toronto. L’ambiance était dépouillé, les repas sophistiqués : pâtes fait cuir sur place, kebab de bœuf avec sauce de fromage bleu, rôti de bœuf, sushi, crevettes scampis, salade de surimi et, et de vine; pour dessert, des marceaux de fruits et guimauve au tour d’une fontaine du chocolat, des bombons et des gâteaux. On avait aussi divertissement, musique en vivant et une vedette de la télévision et la radio, qui a fait des entrevues aux organisateurs; et pour finir l’événement, une un encan silencieux.
Tout ca était la Gala, préparé par L’Alliance pour les Réfugiés de l’Église Anglican Unie (Anglican United Refugee Alliance, AURA), l’événement les plus importante de l’année pour collecter de fonds pour aider des réfugiés. Pendant 25 ans, AURA a sponsorisé des personnes qui viens de 25 pays en cherche de refuge au Canada.
Mary Ito animée l’événement, elle est une vedette de la télévision et la radio, présentement animatrice de Fresh Air au CBC Radio One, une émission de fin de semaine.
D’abord, les invités ont regardés une vidéo à propos de la vie de Norman Valdez, produit par Jason Hunter. Norman est un réfugié péruvien qui est arrivé au Canada il y a 13 ans. Il est venu avec ces parents, son frère et sa sœur. Son père était un journaliste au Pérou, mais il fut emprisonné par cela qu’il écrivait. AURA aidé la famille à s’installer ici au Canada.
Aujourd'hui, Norman est propriétaire de un dépannage d’ordinateurs et professeur à l’Université de York. Dans la vidéo, il a raconté son histoire et comme l’anglais était la plus grande barrière pour lui et sa famille quand ils ont arrivées au Canada. ‘C’est si difficile de trouver un travail‘, dit-il. Finalement, la famille a trouvée sa place dans le nouveau pays. Le père de Norman est le propriétaire d’un journal en espagnole à Toronto, et son mère, elle a récemment reçue un prix pour son service communautaire.
Les invités à la Gala s’amusé avec la musique exécuté par Ajith et Anoop Isac, père et fils qui appartiens à l’Église Uni de Parkdale; ces musiciens sont venus de l’Inde et ils même ont sa propre histoire de réussite au Canada.
Au cours de l’entrevue avec M. Jim Acheson, Chef de l’association Don Valley pour Réinstaller des Réfugiés, il a expliqué qu’ils ont commencé à sponsoriser des individus et des familles après la crise du bateau vietnamien à la décennie des années 70. M. Acheson a été membre d’AURA pour loin temps, il appartient à l’Église Uni de Northminster.
AURA, comme este-ce qu’elle opère? Jim explique : On choisit un individu ou une famille parmi tous-ceux qu’ont fait une demande d’asile a titre de réfugié auprès le gouvernement du Canada, avant d’être arrivé ici. AURA fait la paperasse, quelqu’un ramasse la famille de l’aéroport; de cette façon, pas à pas, ils aident les réfugiés à s’installer dans la communauté canadienne. Cette organisation les aide à prendre des cours d’Anglais pour adultes et à trouver une école publique pour leurs enfants. Ils aides aussi à obtenir des documents officiaux comme le NAS, carte santé et le Prestation fiscale canadienne pour enfants. « Il est presque comme une adoption, dit-il.»
Le soutien donné par AURA va au-delà de la paperasse et l’assistance monétaire, il’ est introduire des personnes qui vient de lointain dans une style de vie moderne. Quelques-uns de ces réfugiés n’ont jamais vus un appareil de télé ou une cuisinière, quelques-autres n’ont pas aucune idée de la banque.
Soutenir une famille de taille moyenne, ca veut dire le père, la mère et deux enfants, combien ça coûte? Est-ce qu’il est cher? – nous avons demandé. « Environ 25,000 dollars, et soutenir un seul individu est moins chère. Néanmoins ils ont reçu des familles composées de 9 personnes, alors le frais et beaucoup plus haut, jusque 40,000 dollars. Tous les chiffres son par année. »
Le soutien financier d’AURA provient des événements de collecte de fonds. Les gens qui sont touchés par des histoires comme laquelle de Norman, ils participent chaque année à ces événements et font don d’argent. L’idée est soutenir des réfugiés qui vient des endroits où il’ y a des problèmes de pauvreté et violence, pays comme le Vietnam, la Somalie, l’Éthiopie, l’Irak et la Colombie.
Quelques fois le Gouvernement Canadien se mets en contact avec AURA pour demander aider pour quelqu’un réfugié. La liste de gens en sollicitant refuge est longue, et ils doivent attendre beaucoup des années avant de venir au Canada.
Dans la entrevu avec Mary to, M. Ian McBride, le Directeur Exécutive d’AURA, expliqua comme est-ce qu’il avait commencé dans à cette bonne cause. Il était né dans le Canada rural, dès son plus jeune âge il regardé son père – a fermier, qui aimaient aider des familles venues de la Lettonie pour s’installer au Canada.
Quand il était jeune, Ian a décidé parcourir le monde par faire dus top. Il regarda par lui-même la douloureuse pauvreté de l’Inde et celle-là dans des autres pays. Ian apprit avec cette expérience que le canadiens sont très fortunés. Alors, c’est pour ça que on doit redonner, -il pensait. Et la façon qu’il a trouvée pour y faire est on aidant les réfugiés.
Une voix de tète est la clé pour lier tous ceux-quels veut avec des autres qui ont besoin d’aide et d’attention. Quelque fois on n’a pas du temps ou on ne sait comme prendre part. Le personnel et des bénévoles à AURA font les choses marcher. Il n’y a pas un numéro moyen des réfugiés aidés par année; par exemple, une année ils ont reçu 75 personnes (7 ou 8 familles).
AURA ne distingues pas aucune personne par ses préférences religieuses. « Nous ne cherchent pas seulement des réfugiés chrétiens, nous cherchons des personnes on besoin. Il y a beaucoup à apprendre a propos de comme aider des réfugiés; il’ es on connaissant leurs histoires de lutte, de croire dans un bon avenir qu’on y peut apprendre. La conditionne humaine est très déterminé, n’importe quoi, le gens continue ca vie! Les histoires de réfugiés, elle son des histoires de détermination. »
Dans une entrevue avec Ian MacBride, après l’événement, il m’a expliqué comme est-ce que les changements au Système Canadian pour Réfugiés auront une incidence sur leurs travaux. « La plupart des nouvelles règles sont appliquées aux requêtes de l’intérieur. Des nouvelles idées, elles sont bonnes, mais quelques détailles ne sont pas claires ou pas bien pensé. Mettre tous en marche va être difficile! »
À-propos du travail d’AURA avec la gens à l’étranger, ils offrent plusieurs places et plus aide, parce-que il voudrait que le procès au-delà soit améliorée plutôt que le procès à l’intérieur. En parlant de la demande de refuge qui vient du Moyen-Orient, Ian dit que la stratégie là-bas est apparentement concentrée en amener des femmes, les handicapés et quelques familles sans pères.
Quel-est le type moyen de réfugié pris par AURA? Des individus, des familles nucléaires, des familles avec un seul parent, quelqu’un, bien qu’il s’agisse d’une personne ou une famille de 12. « Nous n’avons pas une type en particulaire. Nous prenons des personnes qui ont mit à rude pour être celui qu’ils sont, dit-il »
On parlant des indications sur des réfugiés en général, Ian dit : « Je ne veux pas arriver à un point où on parle de bon réfugiés ou mouvais réfugiés; ca n’existe pas, tous qu’il ya c’est des réfugiées ou il n’y as pas, ce n’est pas de bon ou mauvais! »
Sunday, May 08, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Coming Home For Christmas!
By Sergio Granillo
(Posted on the Parkdale United Church newsletter, The Messenger)
When Christmas is coming, people ask me ‘are you going home for Christmas?’ Well, I don’t have a clear answer for that. I was born in Mexico City, my family and I moved to a smaller town in 1985, Queretaro, where my mom lives… most time of the year. Then, I moved to Canada in 2005, and on November 30th I became a Canadian citizen; Toronto is my home now.
This Christmas came as a beautiful present from heaven, because I had the chance to get together with my family for the holidays, after a long year of isolation. I have been looking for a job for several months now; away from my family, because of the recent federal decision of imposing visa requirement to Mexicans who want to come to Canada.
The time was perfect, after a long wait, I got a notice to show up for the test of citizenship, I made it and four weeks later I got the results and the date for the oath ceremony. It was barely the right time-frame to get my Canadian passport to travel before Christmas. So, we bought the plane ticket.
We are a small family, my mother, my younger sister and I. After several years of living together, now we are split in three countries. My sister lives in Minnesota, she is married to a young American fellow, Luke, and now they are expecting their first child, my very first niece.
My mom, Teresa, spends most time of the year travelling from Mexico to the United States and Canada (before the visa). With the news of my sister’s pregnancy, she decided to spend several months prior to the child’s birth and in the first months afterwards in the States.
While I was packing I was feeling so weird, as if I had to go away from home in this special season, but I was happy knowing that I will meet with my family and that we will have a beautiful white Christmas in the very snowy Twin Cities.
The Bible says “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be”. In my case at least, I would say, where you and the people you love get together, that location at that time you can call it “home”.
The old traditions come to my mind. The Christmases past in Mexico, where 9 days before Christmas Eve we celebrate the ‘Posadas’, a daily recreation of the story of Mary and Joseph walking and searching for a place to stay. Transformed nowadays in a good reason to party, the ‘Posada’ has some interesting old rituals. People line up in the yard, holding small candles, walking in circles reciting an old Latin text (inherited from Catholic church), ‘Ora Pronobis’ (Pray for us).
Then a sort of theatrical performance will take place... The group splits in two, one comes inside the household, the other remains outside, usually holding small figures of the Nativity scene on a tray. It is time to ‘Pedir Posada’ (asking access to the inn), a singing exchange of short dialogues sang between the two groups. For Heaven sake, we ask you for a place to stay –one group sings. Who dares to come and bother so late at night? The other group replies. The Queen of Heaven… And it keeps going until the owner of the inn opens the doors and everybody sings: come in holly pilgrims. It is time to break piñatas! And give to everyone a hot ‘ponche’, a beverage made of the traditional fruits of the season, cinnamon, cane, tamarind and tejocote; and small baskets full of candies ‘la colación’!
For Mexicans, Christmas Eve is the most important party of the year, some kids expect presents from Santa Claus, and others prefer to think that the gifts come from the Holy Child. December 25th is mostly a very quiet day, usually it is the day of the hangover from the night before.
Here, I am in Minnesota, no Boxing Day, away from many of my friends, not singing in the choir in the service of Christmas Eve. I guess you can not have everything you want at the same time. I feel very blessed with the chance to be here with my family. Still not sure how to say it, I am not coming home for Christmas, but I am definitely with the people I want to be celebrating Christmas with. I hope next time we can all together celebrate it in my new home, Canada.
(Posted on the Parkdale United Church newsletter, The Messenger)
When Christmas is coming, people ask me ‘are you going home for Christmas?’ Well, I don’t have a clear answer for that. I was born in Mexico City, my family and I moved to a smaller town in 1985, Queretaro, where my mom lives… most time of the year. Then, I moved to Canada in 2005, and on November 30th I became a Canadian citizen; Toronto is my home now.
This Christmas came as a beautiful present from heaven, because I had the chance to get together with my family for the holidays, after a long year of isolation. I have been looking for a job for several months now; away from my family, because of the recent federal decision of imposing visa requirement to Mexicans who want to come to Canada.
The time was perfect, after a long wait, I got a notice to show up for the test of citizenship, I made it and four weeks later I got the results and the date for the oath ceremony. It was barely the right time-frame to get my Canadian passport to travel before Christmas. So, we bought the plane ticket.
We are a small family, my mother, my younger sister and I. After several years of living together, now we are split in three countries. My sister lives in Minnesota, she is married to a young American fellow, Luke, and now they are expecting their first child, my very first niece.
My mom, Teresa, spends most time of the year travelling from Mexico to the United States and Canada (before the visa). With the news of my sister’s pregnancy, she decided to spend several months prior to the child’s birth and in the first months afterwards in the States.
While I was packing I was feeling so weird, as if I had to go away from home in this special season, but I was happy knowing that I will meet with my family and that we will have a beautiful white Christmas in the very snowy Twin Cities.
The Bible says “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be”. In my case at least, I would say, where you and the people you love get together, that location at that time you can call it “home”.
The old traditions come to my mind. The Christmases past in Mexico, where 9 days before Christmas Eve we celebrate the ‘Posadas’, a daily recreation of the story of Mary and Joseph walking and searching for a place to stay. Transformed nowadays in a good reason to party, the ‘Posada’ has some interesting old rituals. People line up in the yard, holding small candles, walking in circles reciting an old Latin text (inherited from Catholic church), ‘Ora Pronobis’ (Pray for us).
Then a sort of theatrical performance will take place... The group splits in two, one comes inside the household, the other remains outside, usually holding small figures of the Nativity scene on a tray. It is time to ‘Pedir Posada’ (asking access to the inn), a singing exchange of short dialogues sang between the two groups. For Heaven sake, we ask you for a place to stay –one group sings. Who dares to come and bother so late at night? The other group replies. The Queen of Heaven… And it keeps going until the owner of the inn opens the doors and everybody sings: come in holly pilgrims. It is time to break piñatas! And give to everyone a hot ‘ponche’, a beverage made of the traditional fruits of the season, cinnamon, cane, tamarind and tejocote; and small baskets full of candies ‘la colación’!
For Mexicans, Christmas Eve is the most important party of the year, some kids expect presents from Santa Claus, and others prefer to think that the gifts come from the Holy Child. December 25th is mostly a very quiet day, usually it is the day of the hangover from the night before.
Here, I am in Minnesota, no Boxing Day, away from many of my friends, not singing in the choir in the service of Christmas Eve. I guess you can not have everything you want at the same time. I feel very blessed with the chance to be here with my family. Still not sure how to say it, I am not coming home for Christmas, but I am definitely with the people I want to be celebrating Christmas with. I hope next time we can all together celebrate it in my new home, Canada.
Sunday, October 03, 2010
UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT!
PARKDALE UNITED’S FIRST ANNUAL SEPTEMBER OUTREACH GALA
(Posted on The Messenger, Parkdale United Church Newsletter)
By Sergio Granillo
Fall is in the air, the wind blows smooth refreshingly, weathered leaves on the lawn and dawn coming earlier giving way to a full moon. Inside the brick walls of Parkdale United Church, the air is full of laughter, excitement and expectation. Volunteers rush to finish the details of the fancy tables decorated with cute flowers and tea-lights shining, the china and silverware are all set on the tables.
Rev. Shawn Lucas welcomed the attendees and after saying grace, food was served. Exquisite meals prepared by Chef Veronique, starting by a first course, tossed green salad a la vinaigrette. Few minutes later, the entrée made her way, roasted beef, chicken tights, seasoned potatoes and quiche Lorraine. In an ambiance of elegance, long dresses, black jackets and ties, everybody started the gourmet journey full of taste, the soiree was setting the mood for another delight, music and tons of fresh talent.
Shortly before, The Isac Band made its world première, coffee and dessert were served. Tiramisu, Danish bread with caramel topping and fruit cake were the closing of a perfect menu that earned an ovation to the amazing Chef Veronique.
Under the direction of Ajith Isac, a band of really talented and extremely young musicians –in the range of 11 to 17 years old-, The Isac Band opened its debut concert with two original songs: the Isac Band Title Music and Jupiter.
The members of the band wowed the audience, not only with the talent but because of the young age. Ajith Isac in vocals, guitar and keyboard; Brian Humphries, drums; Anoop Isac, vocals and guitar; Irene Harrett, acoustic double bass and electric bass guitar; Chris Romano, percussions; Jinu Isac –11 years old-, piano, keyboard, synthesizers and vocals; and Matthew Lagan, saxophone.
The program included both original melodies as well as some classics. Ajith Isac sang “In A Sentimental Mood” and “Unforgettable”, the very young Jinu featured a tender version of “Let It Be”, while his older brother Anoop, besides his master electric guitar performances, sang “Beautiful Day”.
As special guests, other members of the church had the chance to participate. Charles Ellsworth took on Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer”, Noreen Simon performed “Jesus Walk With Me” and Sergio Granillo made an interesting interpretation (a reggae version) of “How Great Thou Art” in French (although people believed it was Spanish), called “Dieu Tout Puissant”.
Adding more excitement and fun to this incredible Gala, Rev. Lucas was in charge of the auction, getting to sell everything available, from old-style radio, potty mums, carving knives sets to highly bid “girlie bags”.
The First Parkdale United Annual September’s Outreach Gala was a big success thanks to the hard work of the volunteers: Vibert Joshua, Lionel Smith, Karen Fox, Glenda Moore, Pat Comar, Vickie Johnson, Shane Gallant, Reg Topping and Roger Beaven. All the proceeds of the event will go to support the outreach programs of the church: Refugee Support Program, The Homework Club and to send kids to camp.
The night of Saturday September 25th will be remembered as the very first one of a new tradition in Parkdale United Church. It was a night full of joy, of giving, sharing and enjoying great food, great music and good fellowship. The spirit of good harvest was in the air and resounded through the night!
(Posted on The Messenger, Parkdale United Church Newsletter)
By Sergio Granillo
Fall is in the air, the wind blows smooth refreshingly, weathered leaves on the lawn and dawn coming earlier giving way to a full moon. Inside the brick walls of Parkdale United Church, the air is full of laughter, excitement and expectation. Volunteers rush to finish the details of the fancy tables decorated with cute flowers and tea-lights shining, the china and silverware are all set on the tables.
Rev. Shawn Lucas welcomed the attendees and after saying grace, food was served. Exquisite meals prepared by Chef Veronique, starting by a first course, tossed green salad a la vinaigrette. Few minutes later, the entrée made her way, roasted beef, chicken tights, seasoned potatoes and quiche Lorraine. In an ambiance of elegance, long dresses, black jackets and ties, everybody started the gourmet journey full of taste, the soiree was setting the mood for another delight, music and tons of fresh talent.
Shortly before, The Isac Band made its world première, coffee and dessert were served. Tiramisu, Danish bread with caramel topping and fruit cake were the closing of a perfect menu that earned an ovation to the amazing Chef Veronique.
Under the direction of Ajith Isac, a band of really talented and extremely young musicians –in the range of 11 to 17 years old-, The Isac Band opened its debut concert with two original songs: the Isac Band Title Music and Jupiter.
The members of the band wowed the audience, not only with the talent but because of the young age. Ajith Isac in vocals, guitar and keyboard; Brian Humphries, drums; Anoop Isac, vocals and guitar; Irene Harrett, acoustic double bass and electric bass guitar; Chris Romano, percussions; Jinu Isac –11 years old-, piano, keyboard, synthesizers and vocals; and Matthew Lagan, saxophone.
The program included both original melodies as well as some classics. Ajith Isac sang “In A Sentimental Mood” and “Unforgettable”, the very young Jinu featured a tender version of “Let It Be”, while his older brother Anoop, besides his master electric guitar performances, sang “Beautiful Day”.
As special guests, other members of the church had the chance to participate. Charles Ellsworth took on Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer”, Noreen Simon performed “Jesus Walk With Me” and Sergio Granillo made an interesting interpretation (a reggae version) of “How Great Thou Art” in French (although people believed it was Spanish), called “Dieu Tout Puissant”.
Adding more excitement and fun to this incredible Gala, Rev. Lucas was in charge of the auction, getting to sell everything available, from old-style radio, potty mums, carving knives sets to highly bid “girlie bags”.
The First Parkdale United Annual September’s Outreach Gala was a big success thanks to the hard work of the volunteers: Vibert Joshua, Lionel Smith, Karen Fox, Glenda Moore, Pat Comar, Vickie Johnson, Shane Gallant, Reg Topping and Roger Beaven. All the proceeds of the event will go to support the outreach programs of the church: Refugee Support Program, The Homework Club and to send kids to camp.
The night of Saturday September 25th will be remembered as the very first one of a new tradition in Parkdale United Church. It was a night full of joy, of giving, sharing and enjoying great food, great music and good fellowship. The spirit of good harvest was in the air and resounded through the night!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
A GALA FOR A REFUGEE
(Posted in the Parkdale United Church newsletter "The Messenger")
“There are not good refugees or bad refugees, just people in need.”
By Sergio Granillo
It was the night of April 29, in the premises of the Lawrence Park Community Church of Toronto. In a sober environment, refined and tasteful meals were served: Pasta cooked on the spot, beef kabob dipped in blue cheese, roast beef, sushi, breaded shrimp, surimi salad and wine; a chocolate fountain to dip fruit and marshmallows, pastries and cakes for dessert. There was some entertainment too, live music, a radio and TV personality hosted the night and did some interviews with the organizers; a silent auction took place at the end.
All of that was the Gala, the most important event in the year to raise funds by the Anglican United Refugee Alliance (AURA), an ecumenical organization dedicated to facilitate the private sponsorship of refugees. For over 25 years, AURA has sponsored refugees from more than 25 countries.
Mary Ito, television and radio personality -currently hosts Fresh Air, CBC Radio One’s regional weekend program in Ontario- hosted the event.
In the first place, the attendees watched a video about Norman Valdez, produced by Jason Hunter. Norman is a refugee from Peru, arrived in Canada 13 years ago. He came with his parents, brother and sister. His father was a journalist in Peru; he was imprisoned for three years because of his writings. AURA helped the family to settle down in Canada.
Presently, Norman has his own computer business and he is a professor at York University. In the video, he told his story and explained how English was one of the biggest barriers when his family arrived in Canada. “It makes it harder to get a job,” he said. In the end, the family found his place in the new country; Norman’s father runs a Spanish language newspaper in Toronto and his mother recently won a community service award.
Attendees to the Gala enjoyed an amusing musical performance by Ajit and Anoop Isac, father and son from Parkdale United Church; both born in India and building their own success story in Canada.
During one of the interviews, Jim Acheson, Chair of Don Valley Refugee Resettlers, explained how they have been sponsoring refugee individuals and families since the Vietnamese boat crisis in the late seventies. Jim has been a long time board member with AURA and attends Northminster United Church.
How does AURA operate? Jim explained: They select an individual or a family who applied for refugee to the Canadian government, before landing in Canada. They take care of the paperwork, pick them up at the airport and, step by step, help them to settle down in the community. They help to get English courses for adults and to find a spot in public schools for their children. Orientation to get official documents, such as SIN, OHIP and Child Tax Benefit is provided as well. “It is just like an adoption,” he said.
The support provided by AURA goes beyond the complex paperwork and covering their economic needs, it is introducing people form remote places to a modern life style. Some of the refugees had never seen a TV or an electric stove; others have no idea of what a bank is.
How expensive this is? An average size family –father, mother and 2 children- costs around 25,000 dollars, a single individual is cheaper, but they have received families with 9 members; then the expenses jump up to 40,000 dollars. That is on a yearly basis.
AURA gets its financial support through fundraising events. People that are touched by stories like Norman’s cooperate and attend events as this Gala –the most important event in the year-. The idea is to support refugees from places in struggle or severe poverty problems; countries like Vietnam, Somalia, Ethiopia, Iraq and Colombia.
Sometimes the Canadian government contacts AURA to take care of a refugee. There is an extensive list of people all over the world who have been waiting for several years to come to Canada.
During the event, the audience learned how Ian McBride, Executive Director of AURA, got involved in such a noble quest. He was born in the rural Canada, and from a young age he saw how his father –a farmer- extended a helping hand to the Latvian families that came to settle down in the community.
As a youngster, Ian decided to take a hitch-hike travel around the world. He saw at first hand the painful poverty of India and other countries. The experience made him to realize how fortunate Canadians are. ‘We must give back’, he thought. Helping out refugees has been the way for him to do it.
A leading voice is the key to connect those who are willing to help with the many others who require care and assistance, but some people don’t have the time or don’t know how. The staff and volunteers of AURA are making it happen. There is no standard number of refugees assisted per year, Ian explains. In a single year they have received 75 persons form 7 or 8 families.
AURA does not discriminate because of religious beliefs. “We don’t look for Christian refugees; we look for people in need.” There is much to learn about helping refugees, by knowing their stories of struggle and believing in a better future... “Human condition is enormously resilient; no matter what, people go forward with their lives. Stories of refugees are stories of determination.”
In a personal conversation with Ian MacBride, after the event, he explained how the announced changes to the Canadian Refugee System would affect their work. “Most of the new regulations will be for inland claims. The difficulty with this process is that some of the ideas are very good, but some of the details are foggy and not well thought through, and I think it will be difficult to enact all the changes that they want to make.”
In terms of the work that AURA does with overseas people is offering more spaces and more support, because they want to see the overseas process enhanced as opposed to inland processing. In regards of the refugee claims coming from Middle East, Ian said that the policies for that region seem to focus on bringing women, handicaps and some families without a male head.
What is the typical kind of refugee that AURA takes? Individuals, nuclear families, single parent families; anything from one person to families of 12. “We don’t have a typical. We take people who are challenged by who they are,” he said.
Speaking about the guidelines about refugees in general, Ian said: “I don’t want to come to a position where there are good refugees and bad refugees; there are refugees or there are not, is not about good and bad.”
“There are not good refugees or bad refugees, just people in need.”
By Sergio Granillo
It was the night of April 29, in the premises of the Lawrence Park Community Church of Toronto. In a sober environment, refined and tasteful meals were served: Pasta cooked on the spot, beef kabob dipped in blue cheese, roast beef, sushi, breaded shrimp, surimi salad and wine; a chocolate fountain to dip fruit and marshmallows, pastries and cakes for dessert. There was some entertainment too, live music, a radio and TV personality hosted the night and did some interviews with the organizers; a silent auction took place at the end.
All of that was the Gala, the most important event in the year to raise funds by the Anglican United Refugee Alliance (AURA), an ecumenical organization dedicated to facilitate the private sponsorship of refugees. For over 25 years, AURA has sponsored refugees from more than 25 countries.
Mary Ito, television and radio personality -currently hosts Fresh Air, CBC Radio One’s regional weekend program in Ontario- hosted the event.
In the first place, the attendees watched a video about Norman Valdez, produced by Jason Hunter. Norman is a refugee from Peru, arrived in Canada 13 years ago. He came with his parents, brother and sister. His father was a journalist in Peru; he was imprisoned for three years because of his writings. AURA helped the family to settle down in Canada.
Presently, Norman has his own computer business and he is a professor at York University. In the video, he told his story and explained how English was one of the biggest barriers when his family arrived in Canada. “It makes it harder to get a job,” he said. In the end, the family found his place in the new country; Norman’s father runs a Spanish language newspaper in Toronto and his mother recently won a community service award.
Attendees to the Gala enjoyed an amusing musical performance by Ajit and Anoop Isac, father and son from Parkdale United Church; both born in India and building their own success story in Canada.
During one of the interviews, Jim Acheson, Chair of Don Valley Refugee Resettlers, explained how they have been sponsoring refugee individuals and families since the Vietnamese boat crisis in the late seventies. Jim has been a long time board member with AURA and attends Northminster United Church.
How does AURA operate? Jim explained: They select an individual or a family who applied for refugee to the Canadian government, before landing in Canada. They take care of the paperwork, pick them up at the airport and, step by step, help them to settle down in the community. They help to get English courses for adults and to find a spot in public schools for their children. Orientation to get official documents, such as SIN, OHIP and Child Tax Benefit is provided as well. “It is just like an adoption,” he said.
The support provided by AURA goes beyond the complex paperwork and covering their economic needs, it is introducing people form remote places to a modern life style. Some of the refugees had never seen a TV or an electric stove; others have no idea of what a bank is.
How expensive this is? An average size family –father, mother and 2 children- costs around 25,000 dollars, a single individual is cheaper, but they have received families with 9 members; then the expenses jump up to 40,000 dollars. That is on a yearly basis.
AURA gets its financial support through fundraising events. People that are touched by stories like Norman’s cooperate and attend events as this Gala –the most important event in the year-. The idea is to support refugees from places in struggle or severe poverty problems; countries like Vietnam, Somalia, Ethiopia, Iraq and Colombia.
Sometimes the Canadian government contacts AURA to take care of a refugee. There is an extensive list of people all over the world who have been waiting for several years to come to Canada.
During the event, the audience learned how Ian McBride, Executive Director of AURA, got involved in such a noble quest. He was born in the rural Canada, and from a young age he saw how his father –a farmer- extended a helping hand to the Latvian families that came to settle down in the community.
As a youngster, Ian decided to take a hitch-hike travel around the world. He saw at first hand the painful poverty of India and other countries. The experience made him to realize how fortunate Canadians are. ‘We must give back’, he thought. Helping out refugees has been the way for him to do it.
A leading voice is the key to connect those who are willing to help with the many others who require care and assistance, but some people don’t have the time or don’t know how. The staff and volunteers of AURA are making it happen. There is no standard number of refugees assisted per year, Ian explains. In a single year they have received 75 persons form 7 or 8 families.
AURA does not discriminate because of religious beliefs. “We don’t look for Christian refugees; we look for people in need.” There is much to learn about helping refugees, by knowing their stories of struggle and believing in a better future... “Human condition is enormously resilient; no matter what, people go forward with their lives. Stories of refugees are stories of determination.”
In a personal conversation with Ian MacBride, after the event, he explained how the announced changes to the Canadian Refugee System would affect their work. “Most of the new regulations will be for inland claims. The difficulty with this process is that some of the ideas are very good, but some of the details are foggy and not well thought through, and I think it will be difficult to enact all the changes that they want to make.”
In terms of the work that AURA does with overseas people is offering more spaces and more support, because they want to see the overseas process enhanced as opposed to inland processing. In regards of the refugee claims coming from Middle East, Ian said that the policies for that region seem to focus on bringing women, handicaps and some families without a male head.
What is the typical kind of refugee that AURA takes? Individuals, nuclear families, single parent families; anything from one person to families of 12. “We don’t have a typical. We take people who are challenged by who they are,” he said.
Speaking about the guidelines about refugees in general, Ian said: “I don’t want to come to a position where there are good refugees and bad refugees; there are refugees or there are not, is not about good and bad.”
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
LICENCING TO OPEN NEW CAREER PATHS
Short courses in finance and banking
(Published in The Canadian Newcomer)
By Sergio Granillo
One of the main concerns when you come to Canada is to get your credentials recognized, to make valid your University degree and your professional experience. It is hard to accept that, at least for a while, you have to start a new career.
And the fact of thinking of developing new skills in a different professional area makes a big difference between getting a ‘survival job’ –and staying there for a long time- and making that job a new career path.
This is about my personal experience. I have a degree in Communications, more than 15 years working in marketing, public relations and journalism. Shortly after my arrival, I approached to some orientation centres and workshops to learn how to make a resume according to the Canadian workplace.
Networking, a word new to me, came across in this workshop; a very useful tactic to get a job and to move up in the workplace. Luckily, I started my networking among the other newcomers in the group and attended to different orientation conferences.
It was November 2005, in a motivational conference in Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) that I met Stella Mejia, she worked for another organization created to advise immigrants, COSTI.
Originally known as Centro Organizzativo Scuole Tecniche Italiane (COSTI), is now COSTI Immigrant Services a multicultural agency that helps immigrants in the Greater Toronto Area.
I explained Stella that I had found a ‘survival job’ in a bank as a teller and that it made me feel frustrated. She gave me a peace of advice: ‘If you can access training programs in that job, take them, doesn’t matter that it is not related to your background. It’s like a free university!’
It is not easy to accept. But you learn how important that mindset can be. So, I was trained first as a teller, and then I kept learning all I could, as I saw the time passing by and didn’t find a job in my career.
Anyhow, in the same meeting I got connected to a group of newcomers, all of them with a background in Marketing and Communications, who had created a group called CAMP, where people new to Canada met to join efforts trying to break in that industry.
This way, I tackled two areas in my life, pay the bills working as a teller, but preserved my long term goal, getting a job in Communications.
If you can not find that ‘dream job’, you need to find the way of not getting stock in a sort of comfort zone and assess the possibility of growing in a new career path.
And here comes another piece of advice I got:
“Forget about your degree, it is no going to open the doors here; in this company you need to have a licence to sell mutual funds, that course will open doors”.
Luis Flores, a Mexican investment advisor in the bank, told me so. He studied in the same private university that I attended to.
The fist thing I thought was, I am not giving up my search or rip off my diploma. It is hard to take, but what he told me was true.
Even my idea of moving up in the financial industry was not becoming an account manager, position where this licence is required. Later I realized that you need that accreditation to get better jobs in the bank.
The Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) offers these courses. The basic ones are the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) and the Investment Funds in Canada (IFC). The cost is $ 995.00 and $ 350.00, respectively. They are self-study courses, so you can organize your study time. Within a year, you cab book the date to present the exam. If you succeed, then you get your licence, which is valid for a couple of years.
I have lost the opportunity to get better jobs because I didn’t have any of these courses. Finally, decided to enrol in one of them and I realized that they are providing me with a better understanding of the industry where I am on. It can give me tools to build up a new career. And I have been able to transfer some of my previous experience and skills to enhance my performance and thrive for better opportunities.
(Published in The Canadian Newcomer)
By Sergio Granillo
One of the main concerns when you come to Canada is to get your credentials recognized, to make valid your University degree and your professional experience. It is hard to accept that, at least for a while, you have to start a new career.
And the fact of thinking of developing new skills in a different professional area makes a big difference between getting a ‘survival job’ –and staying there for a long time- and making that job a new career path.
This is about my personal experience. I have a degree in Communications, more than 15 years working in marketing, public relations and journalism. Shortly after my arrival, I approached to some orientation centres and workshops to learn how to make a resume according to the Canadian workplace.
Networking, a word new to me, came across in this workshop; a very useful tactic to get a job and to move up in the workplace. Luckily, I started my networking among the other newcomers in the group and attended to different orientation conferences.
It was November 2005, in a motivational conference in Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) that I met Stella Mejia, she worked for another organization created to advise immigrants, COSTI.
Originally known as Centro Organizzativo Scuole Tecniche Italiane (COSTI), is now COSTI Immigrant Services a multicultural agency that helps immigrants in the Greater Toronto Area.
I explained Stella that I had found a ‘survival job’ in a bank as a teller and that it made me feel frustrated. She gave me a peace of advice: ‘If you can access training programs in that job, take them, doesn’t matter that it is not related to your background. It’s like a free university!’
It is not easy to accept. But you learn how important that mindset can be. So, I was trained first as a teller, and then I kept learning all I could, as I saw the time passing by and didn’t find a job in my career.
Anyhow, in the same meeting I got connected to a group of newcomers, all of them with a background in Marketing and Communications, who had created a group called CAMP, where people new to Canada met to join efforts trying to break in that industry.
This way, I tackled two areas in my life, pay the bills working as a teller, but preserved my long term goal, getting a job in Communications.
If you can not find that ‘dream job’, you need to find the way of not getting stock in a sort of comfort zone and assess the possibility of growing in a new career path.
And here comes another piece of advice I got:
“Forget about your degree, it is no going to open the doors here; in this company you need to have a licence to sell mutual funds, that course will open doors”.
Luis Flores, a Mexican investment advisor in the bank, told me so. He studied in the same private university that I attended to.
The fist thing I thought was, I am not giving up my search or rip off my diploma. It is hard to take, but what he told me was true.
Even my idea of moving up in the financial industry was not becoming an account manager, position where this licence is required. Later I realized that you need that accreditation to get better jobs in the bank.
The Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) offers these courses. The basic ones are the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) and the Investment Funds in Canada (IFC). The cost is $ 995.00 and $ 350.00, respectively. They are self-study courses, so you can organize your study time. Within a year, you cab book the date to present the exam. If you succeed, then you get your licence, which is valid for a couple of years.
I have lost the opportunity to get better jobs because I didn’t have any of these courses. Finally, decided to enrol in one of them and I realized that they are providing me with a better understanding of the industry where I am on. It can give me tools to build up a new career. And I have been able to transfer some of my previous experience and skills to enhance my performance and thrive for better opportunities.
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