Building and Growing
"When you have more than you need, build a longer table, not a higher fence.”
This phrase is displayed in our Inasmuch office. Our heart’s desire is to practically care for Refugee Claimants who have fled violence and terror in their home country. As the needs in our community grow, so does our vision for reaching out with the love of Christ.
In 2024, Inasmuch opened our third transitional house in Abbotsford. This 7 bedroom home is dedicated to supporting women. Since opening, we have housed twelve ladies from five different countries!
Each transition home increases our capacity to support more Refugee Claimants and with it, our need for financial support grows.
Inasmuch will complete 35 move-outs this year! That’s 35 rental suites fully furnished with items donated by our community.
Will you help us bring hope to more Refugee Claimants in 2025?
We've created a Christmas Gift Guide to bless lonely and vulnerable Refugee Claimants in our city this season.
People ask us: "So, what do you actually do?"
Here are some of the wrap around services we provide:
Housing to Prevent Homelessness
Since 2016, we’ve provided transitional housing for over 200 Refugee Claimants. When we receive an individual or a family, we help them rest, heal and find their footing again. We offer a safe home and connect them to essential services. After 3-4 months we help them search for their own rental home and interact with potential landlords. We help them move into a fully furnished home with items donated from the community.
Food Security
Our dedicated team of 14 volunteers sorts, packs and drives healthy food donated by HelloFresh to many people throughout Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Langley, Mission and Surrey.
Food is delivered to Refugee Claimants as well as seniors, single moms, low-income families, Indigenous families, migrant workers and other newcomers. Many would have empty cupboards if it weren’t for the critical food they receive.
Health Care
Inasmuch hosts regular mobile health clinics. Refugee Claimants and their children have consultations with a Nurse Practitioner and register for follow-up health care. Free routine immunizations and flu shots are provided.
School Supplies
Thanks to generous donors, we were able to provide backpacks for 6 children this fall. Each one was fully stocked with grade specific school supplies, a lunch bag, water bottle and a $50 gift card for shoes. These were joyfully received!
Friendship and Community
We gather for weekly teatime and monthly community suppers. In October we explained the Canadian holiday of Thanksgiving, carved pumpkins and ate sugar cookies shaped like leaves. Thank you to HelloFresh for gifting us turkey roasts to share with our residents!
At our October monthly supper there were 16 countries and 21 languages represented! The nations have truly come to Abbotsford. Thanks to volunteers from The Gathering Church (formerly Bakerview MB) who provided a delicious meal for 100 guests. After the meal we host games for the kids and instructional classes for adults.
Healing from Trauma
In October Inasmuch provided a 2-part counseling seminar by a trained therapist. Offering sessions in Spanish is a meaningful way for Refugee Claimants from Latin America to work through pain, grief and loss toward a path of healing and peace.
Collaborating with Partner Organizations
In October Director Kelly Rader presented at a workshop where 20 community agencies gathered to collaborate and support each other in our efforts to address homelessness in our city. Refugee Claimants are at high risk of homelessness because they often arrive with only the clothes they’re wearing and a few belongings. It can take 3 months for their work permit to arrive.
ICYMI (In Case you Missed It)
We have a new Christmas Gift Guide.
Click the button below to find practical ways that you can make a crucial difference in the life of a refugee family this Christmas.