The Refugee Outreach Program (ROP) is a pastoral care program for refugees and newcomers to Canada. We have a Outreach Minister, Francisco Venegas, and a variety of programs that are designed to help recent immigrants to Canada. Some of our programs are offered in Spanish.
Counseling:
We provide counseling services to newcomers and refugees, since emigrating from home to a new country can be a serious shock.
Information and referrals:
We give information about government services and programs, and provide referrals to community centers, in the following areas:
- Immigration
- Health
- Housing
- Education
- Social assistance
Yachayhuasi:
This is a program about education, music and art. Right now we offer:
- Spanish classes for children;
- English as a second language (ESL) for adults.
Gathering together:
We realize that many newcomers to Canada have left friends and family behind, and need new people to socialize with. As a result, we provide different social and recreational activities like:
- Family summer barbecue;
- Summer camp for kids;
- Community dinners;
- Monthly congregational lunches;
- Parents workshops;
- Christmas celebrations;
Host:
This program pairs a newcomer family with one Canadian family, so they can get together to share values, culture and language.
Interpreters:
We provided Spanish speaking interpreters in specifics cases.
Money for Immigration Papers
The church also has a program for helping refugees to pay for their paperwork when coming to Canada. It is called Jeremiah's Field. Please click here to find out more.
Contact us
Francisco Venegas
If you would like to reach us, please contact our Outreach Minister, Francisco Venegas. He'll be happy to help you find what you need.
francisco@bloorstreetunited.org.416-924-7439 ext 32
Jeremiah's Field
Jeremiah's Field is a no-interest revolving loan fund which assists refugees of all faiths with funding for a variety of needs when other sources of funding are not available to them. The fund is administered by a committee of volunteers who meet once a month to review applications. Most loans do not exceed a few hundred dollars; the maximum we are able to loan to any is $1000.00. As a revolving loan fund we are dependent on repayment of loans by the refugee to continue to operate.
Background:
Then, in the midst of all this, their prophet, Jeremiah, was thrown into jail. While in jail, his cousin, came to ask if he would buy his field, since as a member of the family, Jeremiah had the right of inheritance. What a request! Why would anyone buy real estate in the middle of a war, especially a war they seemed to be losing.
What we usually cover
- Landing fees;
- Application fees for Permanent Residence Card;
- Tuition and education costs;
What we are not able to cover
- Medical costs.
- Dental costs.
- Repayment of existing loans.
- Payment to organizations outside of Canada.
Please note that only make payments to the government or a recognized institution, we don't make payments to individuals.
The Application Process:
To apply to the Jeremiah's Field loan fund pleas fill out an application form and send it to Jeremiah's Field 300 Bloor St. West Toronto ON M5S 1W3 or e-mail it to us at Jeremiahsfield@yahoo.ca. Copies of our application form are available at the above address or can be downloaded from this webpage.
Once an application is received by Jeremiah's Field it is reviewed at the committee's monthly meeting. In order to be considered for a loan an applicant must be working at least part-time. Suitable applicants will be contacted to arrange an interview time and will be asked to submit a plan for repayment. After the interview the applicant will be notified as to the outcome. If the applicant is granted a loan they will paired with a member of the congregation. The member and the applicant will stay in regular contact for the duration of the loan. Please understand that our organization is made up entirely of volunteers and that the application process takes time, therefore we are unable to respond to emergencies.
Donations and Volunteering:
Jeremiah's Field continues to welcome donations and volunteers to expand its work of providing loans to refugees. Donations can be made through Bloor St. United Church, please indicate that you wish the funds to be directed to Jeremiah's Field. For those who wish to volunteer their time please contact us at Jeremiahsfield@yahoo.ca .