For Sponsors

Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP)

This a program designed to support the Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) of Canada, their Constituent Groups, Groups of Five and Community Sponsors on a national level (excl. Quebec). Support and information is available to sponsors at every stage of the sponsorship process; sponsors can call 1-877-290-1701 for free.

Sponsor a refugee - Government of Canada

Find out the three different ways Canadians can sponsor refugees and help bring them to come to Canada.

Responsibilities of Sponsoring groups

Learn about the responsibilities of a sponsoring group.

Financial responsibilities of private sponsors

Learn about financial responsibilities and requirements for private sponsors

Post-arrival roles

Learn about post-arrival roles and collaboration between refugees, sponsors and settlement workers.

Local Information on Supporting Refugees

Some municipalities and regional organizations have webpages about settlement agencies and how your community can help.

Lifeline Syria

Lifeline Syria will recruit, train and assist sponsor groups to welcome and support Syrian refugees coming to Canada to resettle in the GTA.

I Want to Volunteer

SPARK Ontario

A bilingual online volunteer database that supports province-wide volunteer recruitment by compiling opportunities and other resources. You can make a volunteer profile and search for opportunities using your unique skills (i.e. Arabic language skills).

Volunteer Centres in Ontario

The Volunteer Centre nearest to you is a great way to find a volunteer opportunity that suits you. Once you have found your local volunteer centre, contact them to learn about the available volunteer opportunities and related services that they provide and can offer you.

I Have Housing to Offer

Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) Service Provider Organizations in Ontario

RAP services include Reception Houses that are short term homes for government-assisted refugees. These houses provide temporary accommodation for up to two weeks for newly arrived refugees.

Ontario Municipalities

If you want to offer housing in support of refugees, contact your municipality directly. This is a list of all of Ontario's municipalities based on the latest information provided to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

H.O.M.E. (Housing Opportunities and Marketplace Exchange)

The Woodgreen Community Services in collaboration with the City of Toronto have a program called H.O.M.E. (Housing Opportunities and Marketplace Exchange) that matches refugees with housing, furniture, clothes and other services donated by individuals and companies. Refugees, sponsors, landlords or donors must register for access to H.O.M.E online

I Have Furniture to Donate

The Furniture Bank

This Toronto-based non-profit has a program in place to help Syrian newcomers address their immediate furniture needs.

JRCC Furniture Depot

This York Region-based Furniture Depot is a not for profit organization that aims to give free furniture to families and individuals in need.

Salvation Army Thrift Stores

This charitable not-for-profit organization accepts new and gently used household goods and clothing.

Goodwill

This organization in Western Ontario accepts new and gently used household goods and clothing.

Local Settlement Agency

You can also check with a local settlement agency to see if they are accepting donations for refugees.

I Want to Donate Money

Donations to organizations focusing on re-settlement can provide quick support to families as they begin new lives.

Canadian Council for Refugees

The Canadian Council for Refugees is a national non-profit umbrella organization committed to the rights and protection of refugees and other vulnerable migrants in Canada and around the world and to the settlement of refugees and immigrants in Canada.

United Way: United for Refugees

United Way is helping to meet the basic needs of our community’s most vulnerable people.

Settlement agencies

Check with a local settlement agency to see if they are accepting donations.

You can also consider donations to humanitarian and relief organizations addressing the specific needs of the affected population as quickly as possible, like the UN Refugee Agency or the Canadian Red Cross. 

#WelcomeRefugees - IRCC

Find out what​ the Government of​ Canada did to welcome Syrian refugees, how this initiative worked and how Canadians got involved​.​

Settlement Information & Community Services

Settlement.Org

​This website provides newcomers​, and community members, with ​answers to common questions, trustworthy ​information and resources to ​help ​newcomers settle in​ their new home.

Call 2-1-1 Ontario

At any time of the day you can call 2-1-1 for free and confidential help in 150 languages. Call to find out about resources and services in your community that meet your needs.

​Settlement Agencies in Your Area

There are hundreds of agencies ready to help all newcomers including refugees. Find one near you.

Settlement Information in Arabic

Resources in Arabic

This page will be updated regularly with Arabic content important for newly arriving refugees and their sponsors/supporters.