Members of several groups and churches will meet for Refugee Housing Crisis: Developing a Response February 3. Dena Nicolai is inviting wide participation, including those who might be a bit skeptical. In my theological tradition, we sometimes talk about “square…
I live in East Vancouver just off Commercial Drive. My house looks like a nondescript ‘Vancouver Special’ from the street, but it’s far from ordinary by our city’s standards. Over the past two years, I have shared my home with…
James Grunau and Loren Balisky have created thriving communities locally (Journey Home and Kinbrace), which share housing – and lives – with refugee claimants. Last week they travelled to Ottawa to appear before the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration,…
The role of churches and other faith-based ministries in the social, economic, governance and health of Surrey and White Rock is the focus of a now-launched book co-authored by several long-time observers of life in the two cities. The Church…
Ann Voskamp will be on the west coast this week, Saturday (October 21) as a keynote speaker for Gather Rise at Peace Portal Alliance Church in south Surrey and Sunday (October 22) to preach at Tenth Church in Vancouver. Many, many…
Local ministries are preparing for the next wave of refugees, even as they continue to support those who have already arrived. According to the federal government, some 6,000 more government-supported Syrian refugees will arrive in Canada this fall (of whom…
Churches and other public buildings may be necessary to house refugees in the short-term if Canada is to achieve its goal of bringing 25,000 refugees into the country. Chris Friesen, director of settlement services for Immigrant Services Society of BC…
Kinbrace, a refugee housing and support agency with Christian roots, has been recognized with the MOSAIC 2014 Human Rights Award. The award particularly cited Kinbrace’s work in developing a series of published resources under the title of Refugee Hearing Preparation Guide. The booklets…
Union Gospel Mission is a particularly busy place these days. At Summer Connect, on Wednesday (June 18), they hosted 40 other agencies offering a variety of free services, and next Wednesday (June 25) they will open their newly renovated building…