Here is a bit of a thumbnail update on our Refugee Family - the Eisho's (most of it courtesy of our Justice Committee chairman - Carmel Hili):
The family were brought back to COSTI on Monday July 11 and then and Anne (Parsons) and Carmel were to meet them and the Government RAP official on Wednesday. Due to a change in the time of the meeting Anne went by herself. The First home we thought we had secured slipped out of our hands
The government official gave Evelyn and Madeleine their cheques for start up costs, rent and utilities, their monthly expenditures and loans. They opened a bank account and COSTI staff helped them with getting IFH, OHIP, SIN, etc. In the evening the family and some of the committee met at one home - 3 bedrooms, big backyard, a deck, 2 bathrooms, nice house. The problem was that the new owner is asking for a 2 year lease. This contact came from Cheryll Robb of Royal LePage whom we had contacted to assist us in finding a home for the family.
They spent the next few days at Anne and Gary's (enjoying their pool!) Anne and Marion took them out on Thursday and in the evening Carmel connected with them to look at a 3 bedroom townhouse. The house is in relatively good shape but needs a new paint job and bit of a clean-up. This house was also referred to us by Cheryll Robb.
Friday, Marion and Anne took them to the TD bank and Giant Tiger and then we met at Tim Horton's for a lunch. In the afternoon, Anne and Marion took the children around while Carmel accompanied Madeleine and Evelyn to Caledon Community Services (CCS). They registered for English ESL classes starting on August 20. In emergencies, they were told they can get a monthly voucher for $70 as well as a food hamper. While there, they filled two large garbage bags with new clothes from a shipment CCS had received from a local brand name warehouse. The children can also participate in the summer kids' program once the Holy Family day camp is over. An employment centre staff gave them an overview of the program and took us for a tour of the offices.
In the evening on Friday, Marion invited all of us plus Marlene for dinner at her place. It was a very nice evening and I thought the family enjoyed the food, the relaxed atmosphere and the hospitality of Marion and her husband Brian. On Saturday, Gary and Anne drove them to Sami and Eileen where they are spending the next few days.
On Monday, Anne, who had prepared the offer, and Carmel went to the realtor's office to finalize the papers. They faxed the papers to a real estate office in Hamilton close to the house of the sister Aileen, and Evelyn and Madeleine went over there and signed them. Anne and Carmel prepared a joint letter from both HF and Bolton United Church to strengthen the application and to companion the documents.
I heard late this afternoon that the Landlord has agreed to the lease and it will be for at least 1 year. We will find out all the particulars tomorrow!
I am so grateful to both Carmel and Anne for all the work that they have done in the past few weeks. It really has been quite a learning curve - even though Carmel has had experience with refugee sponsorship in the past!
Peace
