CFN has been a proud member of the Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA) since its inception and all of us here would like to congratulate AAISA on the success of their new website -www.refugeealberta.ca. The website is funded by the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and serves as a one-stop shop for refugees to access information on settling in Alberta and services to support them in their new life.
Following one of the largest resettlements of refugees in Canadian history, the website’s launch responded to a significant need across the province. Service providers, such as our valued members, offer a variety of programs and services across Alberta. AAISA has designed this website to help support refugees as well as to build the capacity of organizations that serve them with vital information related to their resettlement journey in Alberta. The website has three sections -I am a Refugee, I am an Organization and I Want to Help.
WhileI am a Refugee assists refugees in learning more about their settlement and integration journeyI am an OrganizationAASIA recognizes that in order to support the successful resettlement of refugees in Alberta, building the capacity of the organizations and community members working with refugees is vital. Lastly,I Want to Help supports community members, whether they are private sponsors, donors or prospective volunteers with information on what they can do to assist refugees and their communities in the settlement process.
In Alberta, with Government Assisted Refugees coming to Alberta will be originally settled in one of six official resettlement cities. These cities are Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and Brooks.
Each of the six resettlement centres have a Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) provider and other services available to help get refugees off to a successful start in their new home. Privately Sponsored Refugees may settle outside of these six cities. 7,004 refugees have arrived in Alberta since November 2015.
For a quick peek at just some of what the site had to offer click here for a full glossary of terms and the links below will help you find programs and services in your community.