There is a refugee crisis in the world:
There are more displaced people in the world than ever before – 70.8 million have been forced from home, including nearly 25.9 million refugees and 3.5 million refugee claimants. In 2019 alone, Canada received 64,050 refugee claimants, the highest number ever, and almost double our national average. A Refugee Claimant is a person who has fled their home country due to a “well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion” and request asylum or protection upon arrival in Canada. Unlike Government Assisted or Privately Sponsored Refugees, they have no one to welcome them or help them get established in their new home community. They are people like you or I and have much to contribute to Canadian Society. They are doctors, lawyers, accountants, businesspeople, pastors, engineers and farmers who are simply seeking safety and a fresh start.
As a multi-cultural community right on the border, Windsor-Essex receives a significant number of Refugee claimants annually, but a lack of refugee-specific shelters leaves many vulnerable to homelessness and exploitation. These are the reasons that the worlds refugee crisis needs you!
So, what can we do about it? Well, today, through your prayers and financial support, you are doing much. First Baptist Church in Kingsville is a consistent supporter of the Matthew House Refugee Welcome Centre in Windsor, ON.
Matthew House Refugee Welcome Centre Windsor helps refugees integrate through :
HOUSING & BASIC NEEDS
- Emergency and Transitional Shelter.
- Assistance in securing permanent housing.
- Assistance to ensure all individuals have their basic needs met.
- Provide referrals for accessing furniture, clothing, and household items.
WELCOME & SETTLEMENT
- We provide referrals to legal services, medical assistance, and community resources.
- School Registration
- We provide setting for Refugee Hearing Program
- Client advocacy
COMMUNITY ORIENTATION
- Building group activities and recreational programming
- Introduction to Canadian culture, schools, transportation, lifestyle culture.
- Introduction to Canadian laws
NEXT STEPS
- Secure Employment
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Educational Transition
- English Assessment (ESL)
If you are interested in giving to Matthew House through FBK, you can contribute towards the Missions Budget. FBK gives a monthly amount directly to the Matthew House in Windsor. You can also sponsor a family during the Christmas season by clicking here: http://matthewhousewindsor.org/sponsorship/
If you are interested in doing more, you can make an effective use of your time, by joining them to help the refugees welcome and support programs they provide. A list of current volunteer opportunities is available here: http://matthewhousewindsor.org/home/opportunities/
Finally, if you are interested in learning more about this ministry, you can read about the History of Matthew House and the Christian Refugee Shelter Movement here.
