Community Refugee Relief Fund Seeks Donations to Help Newest Refugees

Published on: 2016/12/13 - in News


New refugees are expected to begin arriving in the Kingston region over the coming months and residents are being asked to donate to the Community Refugee Relief Fund through the United Way of KFL&A to help them resettle.

Over $53,000 in donations was raised at last year’s Community Refugee Relief Fund donation drive, including $20,000 from the Communication Foundation for Kingston and Area. $26,000 has been distributed to refugees to date, helping to cover expenses related to dental care, employment certifications, medical devices and interpretation services that are not funded by other services.

“As mayor I am proud of the generosity and kindness of our community,” said Mayor Bryan Paterson in a release. “Over the past year, we have provided a welcoming and supportive environment for every arriving refugee to our region. Thanks to the commitment of community partners and volunteers, and financial contributions to the Refugee Relief Fund, we continue to successfully resettle refugees, who can now call this region their home.”

This fund – a collaborative effort between the City of Kingston, the United Way Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington, KEYS Job Centre, and Kingston Community Health Centres – has provided assistance to more than 200 refugees who have settled in the region since May 2016, when the city was designated as a Resettlement Assistance Program Centre by the federal government.

The money is administered by United Way administers who charge no administrative fee and the distribution of funds is overseen by an advisory refugee committee.

You can donate to the Community Refugee Fund online at unitedwaykfla.ca/refugeerelief.

Donations in person or by mail can be made to the following locations:

United Way KFL&A
417 Bagot St.
Kingston, ON K7K 3C1

City Hall Payment Centre
216 Ontario St.
Kingston, ON KL7 2Z3

Community Foundation for Kingston & Area
165 Ontario Street Suite #6
Kingston, ON K7L 2Y6

County of Frontenac
2069 Battersea Rd.
Glenburnie, ON K0H 1S0

County of Lennox & Addington
97 Thomas St. E.
Napanee, ON K7R 4B9

Donations should be clearly marked “Refugee Relief” and tax receipts will be mailed for donations of $20 or more.

Information on sponsoring families, donating household items or volunteering can be found on the City’s website at CityofKingston.ca/refugees.


Photo: Doug Kerr (cc)