Top 10 News Items at Inasmuch!
It's hard to believe it's June!
Written By Inasmuch Community Society
It's hard to believe it's June! Here are the top 10 highlights we're celebrating at Inasmuch:
10. Free Dessert Night
Where: Northview Community Church - 32040 Downes Road, Abbotsford
When: June 21, 2024
Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm (Doors open 6:15 pm)
RSVP Required: Click here to reserve your free ticket
You and your friends are invited to an interactive musical portrayal of the life of a refugee presented by Creo Artists. Enjoy coffee and dessert and learn more about our work in the Fraser Valley. This a free event with an opportunity to support us financially or as a volunteer.
9. Thank You to our ESL Volunteers
Since January, 35 committed teachers, helpers, coffee makers and bakers have shared their gifts and time with adults from 15 countries. Learning English is the key to finding work, forming friendships, securing housing and adapting to life in Canada. Thank you to Sevenoaks Alliance Church and all the volunteers for partnering with Inasmuch to make this happen!
8. Local Business Contributes
We are grateful for the support of Longboard Architectural Products. They lift heavy couches on moving day and build friendships with residents. They bought, assembled and gave 3 new bikes to Inasmuch residents! With a bike, residents can get from appointments to after-school pick up to work. Thanks, Longboard!
7. Spring Party
70 staff and residents attended our Spring Party at King Road Church. Kids made Mother's Day crafts and had fun playing indoor 'lawn darts.' Two volunteers played live music and had us all singing along in multiple languages. The food was delicious, followed by cake and Timbits. #weareCanadian
6. Educational Training Workshops
In the past 6 months we have offered the following workshops for Refugee Claimants:
• seeking and applying for rental housing
• writing one's story and healing past memories
• how to file Canadian taxes
• creating a budget and saving for emergencies
• expressing creativity through visual arts
• avoiding scams and frauds
• employment readiness training (First Aid and Food Safe)
• learning about government and voting in Canada
• contacting emergency services and staying safe
• working through emotional pain, anxiety and grief
5. Training our Volunteers
Over 20 volunteers and staff attended a fascinating simulation of what life is like as a refugee claimant. There are so many decisions to make - all of them hard. We equip volunteers to be trauma informed so that they can be considerate of the needs of refugee claimants.
4. Residents Giving Back to Inasmuch
Many residents tell us they're grateful for the wrap around services they received at Inasmuch and want to support newcomers. They garden and clean, translate, drive, befriend and support new residents. Thank you to Norma and Rene who pick up and organize furniture. It's a huge job!
3. New Housing Search Coordinator
We hired a full-time housing search coordinator! Welcome Chelseah! She and her husband Micah have been community hosts in one of our transition homes for 2 years. Chelseah earned a Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies and has served in local agencies and churches. She gives excellent presentations on budgeting, housing and avoiding scams - topics we can all learn from.
2. Inasmuch is Expanding!
Recently we were presented with the opportunity to rent a home with 8 bedrooms. Our team worked extremely hard to place 6 new residents and 1 community host in this building. One room is being used for office space. Each new resident has a fully furnished bedroom in a safe home. We are grateful to God for His provision.
1. 18 Residents Moved into Their Own Homes
Since January our small staff team has coordinated with volunteers to move 5 family units, a total of 18 residents, to their own furnished rental homes. It's exciting to see refugee claimants bravely launch from transitional housing into independent accommodations. We are grateful for each person who has donated furniture and household items and those who helped move them. Thank you to Northview Community Church for covering the cost of moving trucks.
Become a Monthly Donor
We can plan and serve much more efficiently with monthly contributions. Consider becoming a monthly donor to help meet the ever increasing need for housing and supports for refugee claimants as we grow. Inasmuch provides the only transitional housing for refugees in the Fraser Valley.