For Volunteers and Supporters in Toronto
Rosedale United Church has a long history of walking alongside newcomers to Canada through the Refugee Sponsorship Program of the United Church of Canada. While the legal sponsorship agreement is held at the national level, as the Constituent Group, our role is to help local families navigate the application process to sponsor their relatives who are living as refugees in other countries. We meet with the local family to discuss the situation and help the local family with the application that we then submit to the United Church Canada. We hold the funds in trust that are required to support the application. We liaise with the church Head Office during the wait time.
While the local families are ultimately responsible for helping their relatives settle in Canada, if you are motivated to help, there are ways to help support these families. Volunteers can provide the on-the-ground support that makes resettlement possible both before and after their arrival :
• Helping families raise the funds required to support their family for a year after arrival
• Helping secure safe housing and furnishings
• Welcoming families at the airport
• Assisting with school registration, health coverage, and community programs
• Offering friendship, language support, and practical guidance as newcomers adjust to life in Canada
• Providing employment assistance
We depend on volunteers and supporters to carry out this work. If you would like to be part of RUC’s refugee support team — whether by donating, driving, mentoring, or simply being a welcoming friend — please reach out to our office
For Refugees and Families Seeking Sponsorship
We know that many individuals and families around the world are hoping to find safety in Canada, and we receive many requests each week. While we wish we could help everyone, please note that Rosedale United Church cannot provide any financial assistance for private sponsorship of refugees.
All refugee sponsorships are managed through the United Church of Canada’s national office, which is a recognized Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) with the Government of Canada. Rosedale United Church is a Constituent Group (CG) and can help with the application submission.
• To learn more about United Church of Canada refugee sponsorship, please visit: United Church of Canada – Sponsor a Refugee
• For information on Government of Canada refugee programs and how to apply, please visit: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
We hope these resources will guide you to the right channels.