Date/Time
Date(s) - 30/12/2018 - 31/12/2018
All Day

Location
St. Croix Vineyard Cafe

Category(ies)

Latest newsletter was emailed out today. If you did not receive it and want to be included on our mailing list, contact Mary Ellen Fitch  at mefitch@gmail.com

 ST CROIX VINEYARD & FRIENDS REFUGEE COMMITTEE  MEETING

                             SUNDAY FEB 18, 2018  7-8:30 PM

            We have not met since our pot luck in December and felt we ought to connect and catch up.

            While there are no pressing issues we should consider where we see the future of the group; how often we ought to meet; use of remaining funds, etc.

          We should be able to wrap up by 8:30 if y’all can get there by 7 pm !

            See you Sunday the 18^th, 7 pm at the Vineyard Centre.

      CHRISTMAS PARTY DETAILS !

            Our Syrian/Canadian Christmas Party is this Sunday at 2pm at the Vineyard Church.

            It being a Pot Luck please bring far too much food !

            Is there someone who could volunteer to set up a few balloons etc to celebrate Waddah’s first birthday ? Please call Karen so we know someone is on this.

            We need some able-bodied folk at 1:30 Sunday to help set up tables and chairs and rearrange couches etc.

            See you Sunday for a great celebration !

CHRISTMAS & BIRTHDAY PARTY

DECEMBER 3rd  !!

            At our last meeting, we set Sunday, December 3^rd for a Christmas Party for our full group and all the Syrian families together. It is a double celebration as Waddah Aljneid’s birthday is a few days later so we will celebrate the first Syrian/Canadian birthday too!

It will be at the Vineyard Church starting at 2 pm. Dinner will follow around 3 pm or so as that is when the Syrians normally have their big meal. So skip lunch!

If anyone has any ideas for party games that might work please let us know.

            MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3^RD  @ 2 PM

***FOURTH FAMILY TEAM

            The Shayah/Bitar family of three arrived in July and we did not organize a specific

“ team “  for that family as was the case for the others. There is a need for more social interaction, language help and occasionally some help with other things.

            If you have some spare time, or have not been as involved as you would like then this would be a perfect opportunity that does not carry a heavy commitment.

            If you can help please get in touch with Don. We have all been enormously enriched by our friendships with the Syrian families. This is a great opportunity.

SCV&F   MEETING NOTICE   SUNDAY October 15  7-9 PM

Our next meeting is Sunday October 15^th from 7-9 pm at the Vineyard Centre.

We are meeting about every two months now so please do your best to attend.

MONDAY AUGUST 14^th 7-9 pm  Vineyard Centre

           We have not met for a few months and while there are no pressing issues we want to bring everyone up to date on the details of the new family, where finances stand, etc.

           Recognizing there are no good dates in summer and that weekends are busy we decided to go with a Mondaynight a few weeks away to give people time to plan on attending.

          Hope to see you there !

Loon Bay party was a huge success! We are still looking for household items and furniture for our new family.

Needed…. Table and chairs, lamps, dishes, bedding, towels…. really all household items for a family of 3! If you are able to help, message or call Mohammed at 1-506-321-1045.

Hey Everyone – looks like we might have rain on Saturday so we are partying on SUNDAY!!!!  All other deets are the same.  Let’s encourage all our families to come.

LOON BAY GIANT PARTY !

We  would like to get together with the full group so we have settled on Saturday July 8^th ( rain date Sunday July 9th) for a party/BBQ at Loon Bay for both our full group and the Syrian families. Hopefully Mohammad’s aunt, husband and son will be here by then.

We will assess the weather forecast on Friday and email confirmation or change to Sunday.

Any time after lunch is fine to arrive and we will be there late so whatever suits your schedule is great.

Usual rules of bring what you want to eat and drink.

Hope everyone makes it!!

Don & Karen

PS – we really need tables, lamps, dishes etc for that family, please see what you or friends might have. We have ordered mattresses and box springs. Contact Mohammad at 321-1045

NEXT  MEETING

Sunday, April 23 – 7 pm in the Vineyard Cafe

 Sunday March 26^th at 7 pm

Vineyard Cafe

No big issues but some info to exchange and keep everyone updated. Mohamad’s aunt and her husband and son are likely to arrive in early April and there will be some planning associated with that. We anticipate a shorter meeting so please arrive for 7!

Thank you,

Don

SUNDAY FEB 26  SCV&F REFUGEE MEETING CANCELLED

We do not have any issues that need attention at this time so we decided not to call 25 people together. No solid news to report on family relatives and we are still waiting for Fuat Gumushels availability to convene a meeting to discuss details. No changes in finance. The movement of refugees from the US into Canada may be an issue in a few months. We will set up a meeting in March for sure. If anything needs attention do let one of the leadership team know about it

As always, the daily dedication to our Syrian friends is awesome !

Next group meeting is January 29, 2017. 7 pm at the Vineyard Center

Welcome baby Wdah, born Monday, December 5, 2016

DEC 4^th POTLUCK !

In keeping with the season and knowing we will not likely meet in December we have shifted the November 20th meeting to  a December 4^th POT LUCK at 6 pm at the Olmstead’s at 37 Prince William St.

             There are no big issues looming so we will have a brief meeting on the 4^th to keep everyone up to speed.

             Please bring your spouses or significant others as the case may be ! Look forward to seeing you all !

            6pm, Sunday December 4^th, Pot Luck at the Olmstead’s – mark it on the calendar now !

****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

SCV’s ESL program is changed from Monday to THURSDAY mornings, 10-12, at the Vineyard Center.

Child minders needed, please contact Karen at 466-2893 or banknote@nbnet.nb.ca

Be sure to sign up for helping with the kids, only 4 of them who are not in school!

************************************************************************************************

**************************************************************************************************

Next meeting is scheduled for October 16, Vineyard Cafe at 7pm

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Meeting to catch up and go over new things. Vineyard Cafe, 7 – 9 pm, this Sunday

Friday, August 26

TOMORROW !!  SATURDAY  B B Q   AT  LOON  BAY

We are inviting everyone to Loon Bay tomorrow the 27^th from 1 pm to dark for a Loon Bay Day

At least two of the Syrian families are coming, maybe all of them.

If you are coming and have room for a family or part of it let Karen know at 466-6169

We decided to avoid irritating cancellations by being more casual and last minute.

Hope to see you tomorrow !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don & Karen

****It looks like the weather for the next bit is iffy at best.  We have decided to cancel this Saturday’s event.  If we get a stretch of expected 2-3 good days, we will reschedule.

Apologies for any inconvenience.

SYRIA AT LOON BAY – Saturday August 13

        The last event was very successful so we have arranged sparkling sunshine for Saturday the 13^th of August to have another party at Loon Bay.

        Please connect with your families to make travel arrangements so they can be transported. Any date in summer does not work for everyone so we will be content with as many as can make it.

        Every family and every SCV & FRIENDS group member is invited. If you have company feel free to bring them along !

        As before we are “open” from 1 pm to 10 pm; bring what you want for the BBQ.

        If anyone needs directions contact Don at banknote@nbnet.nb.ca or 466-2893

        See y’all on the 13^th !

        Don & Karen

SCV & SYRIAN LOON BAY BBQ DATE CHANGE

            Due to the rain through the weekend we are cancelling it for this Saturday and rescheduling for SUNDAY the 17^th, 1-10 pm.

             We have another group at Loon Bay next Saturday, hence the move to Sunday the 17^th. I happen to see all four husbands today and advised them of the change.

           So let us plan for next Sunday the 17^th and hope the rain does not hit us again. 

            Also remember our Monday night meeting 7-9 pm

            Thanks – Don

*** July 1, 2016

POST RAMADAN LOON BAY BBQ PARTY SATURDAY JULY 9^th

            We would like to host all the Syrians and the full SCV & Friends group for a post-Ramadan party. The first opportunity is Saturday the 9^th as the children are in summer school starting Monday the 4^th.

            Is anyone aware of any plans for the families on Saturday the 9^th or Sunday the 10^th ? ( think of Sunday as the rain date) We have not asked any of the families if they have plans that weekend. Can you check with your family to see if that date works ?

            There is no summer date that works for everyone but hopefully that weekend is OK.

            Please let us know if there are problems with the 9^th, rain date 10^th.

Don & Karen

***Saturday, June 25, 2016

SCV & FRIENDS LOON BAY PARTY !

           Remember everyone and their families and visitors are invitedthis Saturday to Loon Bay for a party and BBQ. We have canoes, paddleboat, tubes etc.  Starts at 1 pm until 10 pm or so and you are welcome to come for the whole time, supper,  some of the time etc. Bring your food and drinks, BBQ is there to cook on.  Hope to see you !!

          DIRECTIONS TO LOON BAY

           In you ain’t been there yet or have a bad memory…. Leave St Stephen on Rte 3 heading for Fredericton, about 5 miles/ 8 Km out at the top of the hill follow signs for OAK HILL on Rte 745, effectively straight ahead.  Follow that through Oak Hill and on until you come to the end of pavement where you take the LEFT FORK into Loon Bay. You will have three miles of dirt road, you will pass the Loon Bay Lodge driveway and see the river, follow the little road to your left as you approach the river – your only option unless your car floats. That will bring you to our place !!  Don & Karen

***SCV & Friends Refugee Group Meeting this Sunday, June 19 – 7:00 at the Vineyard Center***

June 25, 2016

Supporting Refugee Settlement Workshop by CCMA on June 25, 9:30 – 4:00)  at Garcelon Civic Center. For info click here.

May 21, 2016

April 28, @016

FULL GROUP MEETING THIS THURSDAY APRIL 28^th at 7 pm

                  We feel we need a full meeting to bring everyone up to date, share our initial experiences since the family arrived and set a course for the next several weeks. Due to many conflicts over the weekend and early the following week we are going with this Thursday the 28^th at 7 pm at the Vineyard Church.

Hope to see you there !!

FAMILY TEAMS AND VISITING SCHEDULES

To refine our family team organization, we suggest that starting this week you reduce visiting schedules to every other day or every third day depending on your team’s assessment of your family’s needs.

                  We are trying not to wear our families out with too much dropping in in, while staying connected as friends. When you see your schedule for your team, hopefully you will drop in a day when no one is scheduled. If it works for each week’s team leader to find a new leader for the next week, then keep on doing so. We will be meeting Thursday night this week as the full group and we can refine this as needed. The Main St family might need more visiting for another week or two because of the late arrival of that family.

                  If this leaves you with any extra time please consider babysitting during English ESL classes.

April 8, 2016

We had 3 families arrive yesterday and they are settled into their new homes. Another family came to check things out and they went back to Fredericton to decide. Lots of updates on Facebook. Watch the CBC news from last night, our story starts at the 5:20 mark

http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2686439346

Here is the CBC newstory: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/syrian-refugees-st-stephen-1.3525990

April 1, 2016

SCV & FRIENDS REFUGEE CTTE –   
SPECIAL MEETING

 THIS SUNDAY APRIL 3^rd  7-8 PM

It is evident that the major shift from one or two BVOR families to working through the Multi-Cultural Association on four Government Sponsored Refugee families has raised a number of questions about our role, our relationship with the refugee families, use of money raised and related issues.

We therefore thought it wise to meet without the CCMAand work through the questions and issues so all are informed, comfortable and confident. We welcome everyone who has been involved and those who were new this past Sunday night.

We will keep this to an hour as people are busy and will be far busier once the families arrive hopefully Thursday the 7^th.

Please make an effort to come Sunday and bring your concerns and questions so we can move forward with clarity and strength.

March 25

WHERE HELP IS NEEDED:
• Welcome Team – 3-4 people per family – first Canadian friends – be at house when
they arrive, stop in to see how they are doing, take for walks, get oriented in
neighbourhood, common interest (swimming, knitting, etc.)
• Driving Team – to appointments, grocery shopping
• Child Minding Helpers – while when running ESL classes, in order to get both
parents involved – at location of classes (ie)library
• Tutors – work under Carlos (language instructor), has paced curriculum that could
be volunteers would follow

CULTURAL CONTEXT:
• support them, help them step by step
• they are very overwhelmed but will learn to cope with gentle support
• want to empower them to be responsible citizens
• all are literate

TRANSLATION:
• pushing IRCC for a budget for this
• have 4 people identified that may be able to help, but they work full time
• Community Foundation – possible funding – Town of St Stephen
• Apps – Talking Translator for Android

Kwame:
• will be go to person for answering questions and help
• he is living with his family here in St Stephen –  kwame@ccmanb.com

ORIENTATION SESSION FOR VOLUNTEERS
• with Laurie & Kwame
• TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 6:30 pm at Vineyard

POLICE CHECK:
If you didn’t sign up at the meeting, please send Laurie Parris an email with your name so she can send you the document you need to go get your Vulnerable Sector Check at the RCMP. This is needed in order to help with the families.
laurie@ccmanb.com

March 18

SCV & FRIENDS REFUGEE CTTE POT LUCK

             To inject some fun into the process we decided to make the Sunday March 20^th meeting a pot luck as well !

  So …            6:00

at the Vineyard – POT LUCK – bring great food!

            7:00 –

 MEETING – bring great minds !

            Food makes everything better so we hope everyone can make it Sunday!     

Hope to see everyone there

.  We need to make decisions on how we are going forward with the government sponsored newcomers … we are getting very close to seeing someone benefit from all of our hard work!

March 9, 2016

EMERGENCY MEETING OF SCV & FRIENDS  REFUGEE COMMITTEE

                Recent efforts to secure an initial family through the Blended Visa Office Referral program, known as BVOR, has not been successful for our group (nor for others across Canada). It is uncertain when referrals may come or if more referrals may come in the near future.

                On Tuesday we received a call from Laurie Parris of the Charlotte County Multicultural Association ( CCMA) asking if our group was interested in helping CCMA settle as many families as possible in St Stephen commencing late March, just a few weeks away.  Another 100-200 refugees are being placed in Fredericton and the settlement agencies there are overwhelmed and reaching out to other interested groups for help. At our last general meeting we had a brief discussion about the possibility of helping the CCMA after our first family arrives, with remaining financial and other resources ( furniture, volunteer time) if they were successful in their effort to bring fifteen families to St Stephen – likely after June 2016. We resolved to take a wait-and-see approach.

                Now there is shift in the movement of refugees into New Brunswick and something of a crisis in placement. Available housing is an issue as well as the people to assist in this process. This would be a major change from our initial plan to comprehensively assist 1-2 families in 2016. However, it does present opportunities to assist many more refugees, an invitation to do more good.

                The Weibes, Olmstead and Fitchs  met briefly Tuesday morning and concluded that we need to seek guidance from the full group as soon as possible and decide whether we should commit to walk forward and to explore the possibility of a larger commitment.

                At this time we do not have complete information on what financial assistance, health programs etc these refugees would have as government assisted refugees (GAR’s) as compared to the BVOR program we intended to work within. Initial information suggests it would be pretty close but we need to get more detail. We recognize that there is danger in our 50+ team losing a sense of personal connection and thus commitment as the months go by. This concern can be addressed in part by limiting our work to say five families, thus being able to still know these people personally.

                Because timing is important we settled on an emergency meeting Thursday evening at6pm at the Vineyard Church. March break is an issue and several other nights through to Sunday are impossible for various reasons. We would try to keep the meeting to an hour and suggest you bring your sandwich if that works best for you. Laurie Parris from the CCMA will be there.

THURSDAY March 10, 6 – 7 pm

St Croix Vineyard Church

PLEASE TRY TO ATTEND AND ADVISE US IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND

banknote@nbnet.nb.ca

March 3, 2016

• As always with construction there are delays.  Floors will not be ready to have furniture moved in until then barring any complications
• There has been a news release today indicating that once we apply for a family they may already be in Canada in temporary housing.  This means our family would arrive very quickly so it is safer that we are pretty much ready for them when we apply.

We will keep you posted on these developments.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Bank of Nova Scotia is holding a fundraiser for us.  They are having a Valentine’s Day Cupcake Sale on Friday, February 12th from 10 – 2:30 in the bank.  We need:

• someone who is willing to take lead on advertising and create some stir!  A FB events page, putting up posters (someone is designing one), article in the Courier (Kathy Bockus is very keen), etc.  – Please connect with Karen or Donnie
• anyone who is willing to bake some cupcakes – even better if decorated in a Valentine’s Day theme! – Please connect with Sheila by the 29th (next Friday) for details if interested.

Meeting of Housing Committee, Sunday, January 17 after church in the cafe.

The next general meeting for our group is on Sunday, January 17th at 7 pm.  The meeting will be held in the Cafe at St. Croix Vineyard.

Update, January 12, 2016:

Press Release, December 2015—-         The “St Croix Vineyard Church & Friends” refugee sponsorship group has held two meetings, raised $10,000 in donations and has organized over thirty volunteers into committees. Group co-chair Tom Wiebe expresses the excitement of the group: “We were surprised at the amount of enthusiasm within our church and the wider community. While our eventual goal is $30,000 for a single family we have been fortunate in seeing donations arrive already in our first ten days. It is very encouraging,” he said.        

The initial plan is to sponsor one family of four to six persons and consider additional families depending on fundraising results and community support. As the group is partnering with the Atlantic Baptist Convention which is a federal “Sponsorship Agreement Holder,” it triggers federal funding and easier access to various forms of assistance.

Co-chair Don Olmstead spoke of the amount of work involved. “We have committees for education, medical, housing, furniture and household needs, liaison with governments and support organizations, mental health, employment, cultural awareness training, family finances etc. Fortunately we have over thirty capable volunteers already so we are confident we can handle the challenge”, he said.

         The first two priorities are fundraising and furnishing an apartment or rental house. The group will be soliciting personal, corporate and group donations. Donations are deductible for tax purposes and 100% of funds raised are used for the refugee project. Persons interested in donating may contact the St Croix Vineyard Church (466-5725) or either co-chair Don Olmstead ( 466-2893) or Tom Wiebe (466-2717). Groups interested in doing a fundraising event are very welcome.

Olmstead noted that “It is not often that we can invest in a genuine humanitarian cause and see the results right here in our town. The opportunity to truly save a family from the horrors of their destroyed country and constant threats to their very lives is one to which we should respond with energy.”

In a similar comment Wiebe stated “Individuals, groups and governments from coast to coast are being creative in responding to this unique situation. Please join us in being a part of Canada’s peaceful and generous history.”

         Collecting sufficient furniture, appliances, lamps and housewares for a family of 4-6 is a major undertaking and that group is led by Tony and Madeline Huntjens. Refugee groups have generally adopted the standard that if you would not use the item yourself then it is not a suitable donation. Groups with experience have learned to exclude donations of items such as used mattresses. If you have extra items in suitable condition you can contact the Huntjens at 466-1977.

         This group is one of at least two that been established in Charlotte Country to bring refugee families to the area. Donations of all sizes are welcome as each enables our community rescue and give a future to an entire family.

08/12/15