Hospitality Program

The Hospitality Program was developed in recognition of the lack of shelter options for refugee claimants.  Hospitality volunteers host refugee claimants in their home, providing both a safe place for claimants and the vital time they need to find long-term accommodations.  They provide refugee claimants with the much-needed sense of security and stability during a critical and vulnerable time in their lives. Hosting a refugee family in a private home for two to three weeks until other accommodations become available.

Many refugee claimants have nowhere to live when they first arrive. By opening your home to a refugee family for a 2-week period you allow them time to find alternative housing and support while they get started.

MCRS is looking for volunteers to be involved in the Hospitality Program. Anyone interested in hosting a new refugee claimant or family for a few weeks until they get settled is encouraged to contact the Volunteer Coordinator by email or by phone at (519) 571-1912 for more information. For more information on the requirements of the Hospitality Program see below.

Requirements:

• Respect for refugee claimants from other cultures
• An empty room for an individual, couple or small family where they are able to have some privacy
• A police record check
• Flexibility to adapt to unexpected situations
• Willingness to be called on short notice
• Willingness to be placed on a list in case a refugee claimant requires housing.

For more information or to set up a volunteer intake meeting contact the Volunteer Coordinator Steven Reesor Rempel by email or by phone at (519) 571-1912.