Dear friends and supporters,
It’s been several months of waiting and hoping. And due to the government’s withdrawal of staff processing sponsorship applications, our application has not yet been fully accepted. But we are much closer to bringing a family to safety in Canada, as we’ve been matched with a family who are currently in Jordan.
The Ballanis are a family of three – father age 30, mother age 21 and their son is 3. Mr. Ballani’s brother and his family have been sponsored by another Toronto group and currently reside in the Victoria Park and Lawrence area. We are thrilled to be a part of reunifying this family.
We are not yet clear on when the Ballani family will be arriving in Canada because the process has slowed considerably. We are told it may be late 2016 or early 2017 before the Ballanis arrive. However, it could also be much sooner.
So what are our next steps? Members of the ACWR group are working to put together a plan of action in the event we receive word that the Ballani family are on their way. We are investigating both temporary housing options for when they first arrive as well as long-term housing options.
If you’d like to get involved or share any resources you may have, don’t hesitate to contact us at allenbywelcomesrefugees@gmail.com.
Thank you for your continued support. If it weren’t for you, none of this would be possible.