Seminar: Three Ways Your Church Can Prepare to Welcome Refugee Claimants in the Post-Pandemic World Event date & timesDate June 24, 2021, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm LocationLocation online event This event has already ended.To provide pastors/ministers and lay leaders with practical opportunities for welcoming and providing support for refugee claimant newcomers to Canada.Refugee claimants are those who cross international borders seeking reprievefrom their trauma and safety from persecution. In 2019, 3850 refugee claimantsarrived in British Columbia. In 2020, with the pandemic causing border closuresand restrictions on international travel, there were still 2165 refugee claims madein BC.In 2021, there is pent-up demand for those who are forcibly displaced to move tospaces of refuge. Government agencies are partnering with local organizations toplan and prepare for an anticipated surge in refugee claimant arrivals when theborders reopen.Many of the people who arrive in Canada seeking refugee protection face numerouschallenges and vulnerabilities. No one is there to meet them at the airport or border.They have no idea where to go or what to do next. Refugee claimants struggle tonavigate complex systems and to meet their basic needs like finding shelter.Connecting to social networks, to people they can trust, is something they long for,yet struggle to make happen.You can help.Join this seminar to learn how you can enable yourself and your church to welcomeunsupported refugee claimants. Explore what it takes to effectively welcome refugeeclaimants, learn of ways to collaborate with local organizations, and bring yourcreativity and care to "welcome the stranger."Three local Christian organizations are collaborating in this seminar to highlight the vulnerabilities of this population group, discuss the ethos of biblical kinship and offer practical opportunities for local church involvement in welcoming and walking with refugee claimants. Speakers include:Richard Belcham, Executive Director - Inasmuch Community SocietyRichard Belcham is Executive Director of Inasmuch Community Society in Abbotsfordand Co-Chair of MAP BC. Inasmuch provides transition housing, settlement servicesand customized employment support for refugee claimants in the Fraser Valley. He is a passionate advocate for refugee claimants and loves to remove barriers to serviceaccess, giving them the very best start to their new lives in Canada.He has an extensive background in HR, corporate communications and marketing.Originally from the UK, Richard immigrated to Canada in 2011 and has been a residentof the Fraser Valley ever since.Richard is also host of the Along the Way podcast featuring refugee stories.Brad Kinnie, Program Manager - Journey Home CommunityBorn out of a church home group in 2005, Journey Home Community (JHC)offers refugee claimants housing, settlement support, and opportunities forconnection. JHC strategically partners with local churches to expand its ability tomeet the needs and provide a welcoming and inclusive experience for vulnerablerefugee claimant families who are experiencing homelessness.Brad Kinnie graduated from Regent College in 2012 with a Masters of ChristianStudies focusing on the mission of the Church. He joined Journey HomeCommunity in 2009 and has served as Program Manager for the past eightyears.On June 1, Brad will assume a new role as JHC’s Executive Director.Loren Balisky, Director of Engagement - Kinbrace Community SocietyLaunched in 1998 as a neighbourhood initiative of Grandview Church, Kinbraceis BC’s longest-serving dedicated housing and support provider for refugeeclaimants. Guided daily by five core values - welcome, trust, mutualtransformation, celebration, and prayer - Kinbrace is a learning and growingcommunity of neighbours, churches, refugee claimants, and diverse otherscommitted to a spacious welcome.Loren Balisky is a Kinbrace co-founder and current Director of Engagement. Hisown quest for belonging inspires (in part) his welcome of people seeking refugeeprotection.