The 1000 schools challenge is an initiative that aims to support school in taking action to make refugees welcome to Canada. Some school communities have come together to sponsor refugee families, and the challenge extends to any activities or innovative ways of helping students learn about refugee issues and their place in the world.
Does your school or youth group wants to run an action campaign to raise awareness or shift policy to make refugees’ transition better?
The Canadian Council on Refugees has one well-informed list of current refugee issues.
Schools have a key role to play in helping educate today’s children in global citizenship. There are rich learning opportunities related to refugee issues.
Could your school find a week where every student did some learning about refugee issues at the same time? Can you find a way to share what your students have learned?
Share with us how your school created a safe and welcoming space for newcomer students. From great English language support and academic catch-up or timely referrals, to making sure students have friends to eat lunch with … how did your school build a community of welcome?
There are strong local community organizations to help newcomers settle in Canada. Partner with one of them.
Your school could establish a group to provide hands-on settlement support to a family of Government Assisted Refugees – from finding housing to negotiating schools and health care.
For example, students at London, Ontario’s First Avenue Public School created a micro-business selling jewellery they made – with all profits going to support local refugee settlement. Fifth Street Public School in Toronto’s inner city held a clothing drive.
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