RSTP Resources

• Sponsorship Agreement Holder's Manual
• Sponsoring Group Handbooks
  • Community Sponsors
  • Groups of Five
  • Joint Assistance Sponsorships 
  • Sponsorship Agreement Holders and their Constituent Groups 
• Resources for Group of Five Sponsors
• Videos 
  • Who Can be Sponsored: Private Sponsorship of Refugees to Canada 
  • Starting Over: Refugee Voices
• Training Modules
  • Introduction to Sponsorship, Settlement Planning 
  • Conflict Management and Conflict Resolution
  • Cross Cultural Training: Awareness Development for Sponsors
• Sponsored Refugee Database Program 
• Information for Privately Sponsored Refugees

  CIC Resources

• Overseas Selection and Processing of Convention Refugees Abroad Class and Members of the Humanitarian-protected Persons Abroad Classes (OP5)
• In Canada Processing of Convention Refugees Abroad and Members of the Humanitarian Protected Persons Abroad Classes (IP3)
• Overview on Information-Sharing (IN 1)
• Guide to the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program
• JAS Info Guide - ON region

Other Resources

• Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)
• Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR)
• Sponsoring Refugees: An online handbook for Presbyterian Congregations
• Guide to Canadian Overseas Refugee Determination Process (MIIC)
• Strangers No More: An Introduction to Refugee Sponsorship (Video)
• Refworld

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Sponsorship Agreement Holder's Manual

This manual guides Sponsorship Agreement Holders on the management of their sponsorship program. The revised 2004 edition reflects changes introduced by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the revision of the Sponsorship Agreement. 

Sponsoring Group Handbooks 

These handbooks have an emphasis on the "hands on" work of helping newcomers settle.  The handbooks cover group formation, sponsorship processing, cross cultural communication, sponsor/newcomer relations, contact with settlement agencies, refugee reception and orientation, financial support, life-skills training, employment and education.

• Sponsorship Agreement Holders & their Constituent Groups: This handbook focuses primarily on the concerns of groups sponsoring under the auspices of a Sponsorship Agreement holder

• Groups of Five: This handbook focuses primarily on the concerns of individuals interested in sponsoring as a Group of Five

• Community Groups: This handbook focuses primarily on the concerns of groups sponsoring under the auspices of an organization, association or corporation acting as a community sponsor.

• Joint Assistance Sponsorships: This handbook focuses primarily on the concerns of groups sponsoring under the Joint Assistance Sponsorship Program

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Group of Five Information in Different Languages    

CIC - Guide to Refugee Sponsorship Application of Group 5

Arabic
Amharic
Dari 

• Who Can be Sponsored: Private Sponsorship of Refugees to Canada - 2000: This video/DVD provides sponsoring groups with an awareness of the resettlement needs of refugees overseas; an understanding of the eligibility and admissibility criteria used to screen refugee applicants overseas; and an overview of the processing of a refugee case - from identification to travel to Canada.  The video is accompanied by a study guide and is available in French.

• Starting Over: Refugee Voices - 2001: This video/DVD shares the insights and the experiences of four sponsored refugees. The first hand account by the newcomers are intended to provoke discussion within sponsoring groups and to provide an opportunity to reflect on the settlement issues of private sponsorship. A study guide and written profiles of other sponsored refugees have also been produced as a complement.

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Training Modules

• Introduction to Sponsorship, Settlement Planning: The introduction module includes resources to animate a gathering of individuals to generate initial interest and understanding of private refugee sponsorship. The Settlement Planning module includes resources and tools to advise and guide groups who have made an initial commitment to sponsor.  The module will help the group understand and address their roles and responsibilities including planning for settlement, fundraising, budgeting, financial management and community outreach. 
   

• Cross Cultural Awareness Development and Training for Sponsors: This module identifies training points for SAHs and other sponsorship animators to deliver to sponsoring groups, and provides resources for use in the training.  Emphasis is on awareness of our own set of expectations, prejudices and internal cultural values. 
   

• Conflict Management and Conflict Resolution: This training module provides a baseline of information on the nature of conflict and dispute, how it occurs and how conflict management and resolution skills may be applied in the sponsorship of refugees. Generic information on the nature of conflict and the nature of disputes form the foundation for specific information and resources to assist in conflict and dispute management and resolution. Accompanying resource materials specifically addresses the issues and areas of conflict in the work of the SAH.

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Sponsored Refugee Database Program

Designed to help SAHs track their sponsorships, including case processing details, this database runs on Microsoft Access. Copies are available from the RSTP.

Information for Privately Sponsored Refugees-2004

This overview of the resettlement process is designed to be sent to sponsored refugees by their sponsoring group. It includes information on the application for permanent residence, the interview process, medical and security checks, and the responsibilities of both the sponsoring group and the sponsored refugee after arrival in Canada.  The information is available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Amharic, Pashto, Somali, Farsi and Kiswahili. 

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