On Sunday February 22, 2015, the vestry of St. Matthias debated and voted in favour of sponsoring an Iraqi family to come to Ottawa from Jordan where they have sought temporary refuge.
We can now begin the process of bringing these three refugees to Ottawa. We will ask the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa to act as the Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) and follow the "Named Privately Sponsored Refugees" process. They have already completed the application documents and are recognized by the UNHCR as refugee seekers.
This is the start of a long refugee process, but it is a good start. I will keep in contact to inform you as the applications proceed, and ask for your ongoing help and support.
Thank you and everyone who has and will support this family to take refuge in Ottawa.