Our CEO Stephen Carattini appeared on World FM 101.7’s Sorin in the City on Saturday, July 9, to discuss our assistance in settling government-assisted refugees and tease a few upcoming events we have scheduled for Edmonton and Red Deer.
Speaking about our effort to settle Syrian refugees, Stephen noted that in the immediate two weeks after they arrive in Edmonton we provide short-term housing and are very involved in familiarizing them to the community and services that might be required. During that timeframe, we help them find a long-term place to live, help enrol their children in schools, provide English language assessment, and assist with organizing medical screenings -- among other services.
Once the refugees have moved into their long-term home after that two-week period, we continue to provide assistance as well. “Certainly for the first year of their time here, we work very, very closely with them,” Stephen explained.
Giving a nod to the more than 1,000 volunteers, Stephen also praised the community’s response to assist with settling the 1,100 government-sponsored Syrian refugees in Edmonton and Red Deer that have arrived since the end of December.
During the radio interview Stephen also previewed our August 31st Big Thank You event at Red Deer's Bower Ponds to celebrate that community and their generosity for supporting Catholic Social Services. He also offered a preview of our inaugural UpLift Day of Mercy event, which will be held at St. Alphonso’s Parish on 118th Avenue in Edmonton on October 1.
“We’ll be feeding people, we’ll be helping to provide winter clothing for people… hair care, and we’re talking with our sister organizations about providing other kinds of care for people who might be in need,” he said of UpLift. “It’s a way to not only talk about what we do, but to actually do what we do. As Pope Francis says, to go out into the streets and carry that message of mercy in a very real and tangible way to the world, to our community.”
Stay tuned to our website for more information about both events, and you can register for the Big Thank You through our Events page.