Refugee Sponsorship

Adopt a family

The Canadian government has committed to receive and resettle 1000 Afghan refugee families (about 5000 individuals) from the refugee camp in Abu Dhabi, including families that the Afghan Church of the GTA are sponsoring and supporting. 25 of those families arrived on September 15 and we need your help!

Churches and groups:

We're looking for churches or groups to commit to "adopting" a refugee family. "Adoption" means being in contact with one refugee family to find out what they might need and gathering donations of furniture, housewares, small and/or large appliances, and other daily home goods, and getting these donations to their new home. It could also mean other practical helps, such as helping them get to appointments and navigating life in Canada, as your church/group is able. It does not mean direct financial support, and does not mean formal sponsorship of the family.

If your church or group can make this commitment:

  • -   choose one person to be church/group's coordinator and point-of-contact with us and the refugee family
  • -   have your point-of-contact email us at refugeehelp@afghanchurch.ca
  • -   tell us if you are a church or a group
  • -   include your church name and location
  • -   if you are a group, include the coordinator's church name and location, and size of group


and we will try our best to match your church/group to an appropriate family (e.g. by location, size of group compared to size of family). If we can't match you to a family now, we will keep you in mind as more families arrive.

Individuals:


We appreciate that many individuals want to offer support, but due to the large number and varying types of items needed, it is not possible for us to coordinate individual helps and donations of goods. If you are not able to form an adopting group, please consider a financial donation (below) to the refugee help fund where we can use the funds to purchase items as needed.

Co-sponsor a family

If you are looking to sponsor your friend(s) or family who are refugees and need some assistance with the sponsorship process, we may be able to help "co-sponsor" them. Download and read this co-sponsorship information sheet, then fill out and send in the pre-screening form.

We'll contact you back when we've gotten a better understanding of your friend/family's situation and whether we'll be able to help. 

In 2020, the ACGTA, with a partner church and committee, began the process of sponsoring two persecuted Afghan Christian refugee families to Canada. When Afghanistan fell to Taliban rule in 2021, the committee decided to raise funds to sponsor 20 families to Canada.

 

It can cost over $10,000 per individual sponsored, so we are looking for faithful believers and churches to partner with us to raise funds to bring these families to safety.

Sign up for email updates
1
refugee families arrived
1
people starting new lives
1
submitted applications awaiting processing

Ways to give

Online (credit card)

Give one-time or recurring with your credit card through CanadaHelps.

Go to CanadaHelps

Tax receipt will be issued by CanadaHelps.

Cheque

Mail a cheque made payable to:

 

Afghan Church of the GTA

PO Box 5001
RPO SQ1 Shoppers

Mississauga ON L5B 0J9

Canada

 

Please include your address (if not printed on the cheque) for a tax receipt.

e-transfer

Send an email money transfer to:

 

afghanchurchofgta@gmail.com

 

Please include your name and address in the notes for a tax receipt.

Bank transfer

Contact us at:

 

afghanchurchofgta@gmail.com

 

for banking details.

Updates and media

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

 
Greetings. 
 
I have sad news today, that a group of believers including my cousins in Afghanistan were arrested by the Taliban Intelligence Service on March 16th, 2023. 
 
Their homes are searched, they are imprisoned in the worst prison of Taliban (Kabul Intelligence Department), the Taliban are also interrogating their family members. They are also searching for other believers. 
 
Please pray for all believers in Afghanistan, and I will keep you updated on the situation.
Pastor Obed Rod
Read the full story at CBC News
 

What else can I do?

Pray!

Please pray together with us for our brothers and sisters: To find safe shelter Their practical needs and provisions such as food and clothing The application process and approval for refugee status Families to be reconciled together

Spread the word

You can share this webpage and the media that is shared on it.

 

Find your MP and tell him/her about the dire situation faced by our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan, as well as our desire and ability to help. Ask him/her to support measures that help refugees and new immigrants.

Volunteer

Filing paperwork is a time-consuming but necessary process in refugee sponsorship. Contact Obed (obed@jesusnetwork.ca) if you have a mind for processes and detail, and can help with filling in forms and submitting paperwork.

Sponsor a family

Do you or your church want to sponsor a refugee and need some of support? Download our information sheet and send in the co-sponsor pre-screening form.

Practical goods

See the list of currently needed household goods to help furnish families' new homes, and let us know if you can help.

 

We will contact you if and when a family needs your offered item(s), but since we do not know when families will be approved to come to Canada, we don't know when that may be.

Sign up for updates

Sign up for email updates to receive news on new developments and prayer requests.

 

Afghan Church Toronto