World Skills in the News!_May 4, 2016
‘Welcome fund’ directs $450,000 to Ottawa refugee programs
The organization announced the contribution Wednesday at Ottawa City Hall with Immigration Minister John McCallum, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, Mayor Jim Watson and other MPs and city officials in attendance.
The money will go to the Catholic Centre for Immigrants, Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization and World Skills.
Carl Nicholson, executive director of the Catholic Centre for Immigrants, said the money will particularly help refugees pay rents in their new homes. All of the 1,118 government-sponsored Syrian refugees in Ottawa have found permanent homes, which is better than the national rate of 93 per cent.
The Ottawa Community Services Organization will help provide mental health services and World Skills will help refugees find jobs.
“We have a strategy in Ottawa and this $450,000 is going to make a great difference,” Nicholson said.
McCallum lauded the private sector for donating millions to the refugee resettlement efforts.
The Welcome Fund for Syrian Refugees has received support from Manulife and GM. CN donated $5 million to the cause.
The welcome fund was established to help refugees find affordable housing when they arrive in Canada. The country has accepted 25,000 Syrian refugees.
“Everyone has done their bit in what has become truly a national project,” McCallum said.
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