Tuesday, February 28, 2006
March has a new theme!
In keeping with our monthly topics/causes, March is going to be same sex marriage and related topic awareness month. I think Gemma, Wendolyn and Scott agreed to put their heads together on this. So, some introduction will happen this Sunday at the Watson's and then on the final Sunday of this month, we will have a presentation or something that will help provide greater awareness to everyone.
This is very timely with Wendo and Gemma's recent decision to get married this summer!
This is very timely with Wendo and Gemma's recent decision to get married this summer!
Refugee Month is Over
This past Sunday, we had potluck and presentations on Refugees in Canada. Scott spoke from his knowledge and work with the Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support in Kitchener as a staff person working with refugee claimants. Wendolyn shared information from her time at Association for New Canadians. As a house church, it was agreed that financial offerings would go towards a specific family being supported and assisted through St. David's Presybeterian Church. This family reunification will be happening very soon.
Friday, February 17, 2006
~ Wedding Bells ~
A big announcement for Wendolyn and Gemma - they have decided to get married!! And this summer. Congratulations and no doubt our house church will find a way to celebrate that!?!
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Social Event for this month!
The social event for this month is sledding. Here are the details:
Saturday, February 18th
Meet at the great hill by the Fluvarium at 11am.
Bring anything you want to sled on.
Bring cameras in the event that everyone forgets or assumes someone else will bring one.
Bring any food items you want to share for lunch, which will be at the Morton Ninomiya home following the sledding. You can count on meatless chilie made by Wendo and meatfull chillie by Scott/Mel.
In the event of poor sledding conditions, lunch social is still "ON".
If anyone needs a ride, contact Mel/Scott and we will help coordinate rides (we have access to the Watson van!!).
P.S. If anyone wants to have an additional social event related to our refugee topic for this month, there is a coffee house this Friday evening at the Anna Templeton Centre ($5/person) with proceeds to RIAC (Refugee Immigrant Advisory Council).
Saturday, February 18th
Meet at the great hill by the Fluvarium at 11am.
Bring anything you want to sled on.
Bring cameras in the event that everyone forgets or assumes someone else will bring one.
Bring any food items you want to share for lunch, which will be at the Morton Ninomiya home following the sledding. You can count on meatless chilie made by Wendo and meatfull chillie by Scott/Mel.
In the event of poor sledding conditions, lunch social is still "ON".
If anyone needs a ride, contact Mel/Scott and we will help coordinate rides (we have access to the Watson van!!).
P.S. If anyone wants to have an additional social event related to our refugee topic for this month, there is a coffee house this Friday evening at the Anna Templeton Centre ($5/person) with proceeds to RIAC (Refugee Immigrant Advisory Council).
Thank you Kate!
Katie Weins hosted this past Sunday since Wendolyn and Gemma could not host ... off in a log cabin somewhere being romantic. Thanks, Katie and to her mother who joined us and bought grapes for all of us to share.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Local Refugee Story and Sample Letter - for Feb. 5th Discussion
Alexi Kolosovs Statement
My name is Alexi Kolosovs. I was born in Russia on the 25th of March, 1956. I left my home (which at that time was in Latvia) on a fishing vessel and in December of 1997. I arrived in Newfoundland and claimed refugee status. With over 20 years experience as a deckhand, boatswain and with extensive knowledge of construction and repair of fishing gear, it was not long before I found a job.
For five years I worked for two fishing companies here in Newfoundland and received an offer of employment with H.R.D.C. to train four Newfoundlanders in net making. Unfortunately I had to turn down this offer because in August of200J I received a negative Pre-Removal Risk Assessment. My work permit was stopped and I was forced to go on social assistance.
When I was initially filling out documents to gain refugee status and work permits, my English was limited and I was in ignorance of Canadian Policy and Law. I was an easy target for a corrupt immigration consultant, Bagrad Mochkarovsky, who demanded $3.000 in order to process my claims and then proceeded to send them in late, causing my Post-Determination Refugee Claimant in Canada (P.D.R.C.C.) application to be negative. This immigration consultant took money from many other Russian immigrants and fled to the United States where he is now wanted by the R.C.M.P. Only while my Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (P .R.R.A.) was later being processed was I able to work. Had I initially been granted employment authorization, I surely would have been settled into full time employment in Newfoundland.
My son came to Newfoundland soon after my arrival in 1997 and started a family with my now daughter-in-law who lives in Placentia. When I was working I became the main provider of financial support for Wendy and my four grandchildren, as my son lived mainly apart from them. With the loss of my work permit I have continued to contribute financially to my extended family, although it is much harder to do so on social assistance. I am the father-figure to the boys and know that both they and I would suffer terribly if I am deported. My original deportation orderwou1d not even allow me to leave the St. John's area in order that I could say goodbye to my family.
Three days before my scheduled deportation my youngest grandson, Alexi, was brought to the Emergency Room of the Children’s Hospital (Janeway} here in St. John's. He was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes at the age of2. lam deeply distressed at the thought of my daughter in law, Wendy, raising four children under the age of fourteen while also monitoring the daily details of little Alexi' s diabetes : shots, insulin reactions, blood tests and decisions as to how much, what and when he can eat. In response to my anxiety brought about from the realities of a future where I am separated from my family and then from little Alexi's diagnosis, a St. John’s church offered me sanctuary for as long as is needed. I have been here for almost a month now, and have been unable to visit my family, including little Alexi, and my heart is breaking.
If I am forced to leave Canada I will be sent to Latvia (as that was the last place I resided) where 1 have no family or friends to go back to. As a Russian in Latvia I will be treated as a second-class citizen and as I have no government papers to live or work there, or in Russia" I will be forced to live on the street. On top of this, since I left Latvia they have begun to enforce the protection of the Latvian language. And as I speak only Russian, finding a job will be impossible. I think of Newfoundland as my home, and hope to remain here. I wish only to be able to work in order to support Wendy and my grandchildren and also to watch my grandchildren grow up with their "Poppa" around.
For more information please contact: Refugee Immigrant Advisory Council, 204 Water Street, Suite 3000, St. John's, NL, AIC 1C9, Tel: (709)754_4122, Fax: (709) 754_4102
Email: riac@nf.aibn.com Website: www.geocities.com/riaconline
(Sample letter of support, prepared by Ann Bell)
Honourable Joe Volpe, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Citizenship & Immigration
Ottawa, Ontario KlA 1L1
Minister@cic.gc.ca
Volpe.J@parl.gc.ca
Re: Alexi Kolosovs
(Date)
I have made myself familiar with the case of Alexi Kolosovs.
Alexi Kolosovs made himself known to immigration officials upon his arrival to Canada in December 1997. He has followed all the legal procedures necessary to become a resident of Canada, but has been the victim of many unfortunate occurrences during this time period:
1) An unscrupulous immigration consultant (who is now wanted by the RCMP) took advantage of Alexi's ignorance of the English language and Canadian law by demanding 3000 dollars to process his PDRC (Post Determination Refugee Claim) and then proceeded to hand it in late. This is why Alexi's claim was originally turned down.
2) Alexi worked for five years in Newfoundland sharing his extensive knowledge of net making with many Newfoundlanders. Then his work permit was stopped and he was forced to go on social assistance. He has worked hard all his life, and being inactive has caused him much shame and distress.
3) Due to his son's absence from his own family's lives, Alexi was the main financial support (while he was working) and is still the sole male emotional support for his daughter-in-law and four grandchildren.
4) His youngest grandchild and namesake, a Canadian citizen, was diagnosed, at the age of 2, as having Juvenile Diabetes. This happened only 3 days before Alexi’s scheduled deportation.
Alexi is a very caring man and a wonderful role model for his grandchildren to grow up around. Alexi and his family have a very close relationship and he is part of a strong support system for the children. Both he and his grandchildren will suffer psychologically if he is forced to leave Canada. The Immigration Officer who turned down Alexi's Humanitarian and Compassionate Application later admitted that mistakes had been made in the case and that had Immigration and Citizenship Canada known all the details, a different decision would have been made in his case. I implore you to look into this matter as soon as possible and stay Mr. Kolosovs' Removal Order by granting a Minister's Permit.
(Name)
(Full Address)
My name is Alexi Kolosovs. I was born in Russia on the 25th of March, 1956. I left my home (which at that time was in Latvia) on a fishing vessel and in December of 1997. I arrived in Newfoundland and claimed refugee status. With over 20 years experience as a deckhand, boatswain and with extensive knowledge of construction and repair of fishing gear, it was not long before I found a job.
For five years I worked for two fishing companies here in Newfoundland and received an offer of employment with H.R.D.C. to train four Newfoundlanders in net making. Unfortunately I had to turn down this offer because in August of200J I received a negative Pre-Removal Risk Assessment. My work permit was stopped and I was forced to go on social assistance.
When I was initially filling out documents to gain refugee status and work permits, my English was limited and I was in ignorance of Canadian Policy and Law. I was an easy target for a corrupt immigration consultant, Bagrad Mochkarovsky, who demanded $3.000 in order to process my claims and then proceeded to send them in late, causing my Post-Determination Refugee Claimant in Canada (P.D.R.C.C.) application to be negative. This immigration consultant took money from many other Russian immigrants and fled to the United States where he is now wanted by the R.C.M.P. Only while my Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (P .R.R.A.) was later being processed was I able to work. Had I initially been granted employment authorization, I surely would have been settled into full time employment in Newfoundland.
My son came to Newfoundland soon after my arrival in 1997 and started a family with my now daughter-in-law who lives in Placentia. When I was working I became the main provider of financial support for Wendy and my four grandchildren, as my son lived mainly apart from them. With the loss of my work permit I have continued to contribute financially to my extended family, although it is much harder to do so on social assistance. I am the father-figure to the boys and know that both they and I would suffer terribly if I am deported. My original deportation orderwou1d not even allow me to leave the St. John's area in order that I could say goodbye to my family.
Three days before my scheduled deportation my youngest grandson, Alexi, was brought to the Emergency Room of the Children’s Hospital (Janeway} here in St. John's. He was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes at the age of2. lam deeply distressed at the thought of my daughter in law, Wendy, raising four children under the age of fourteen while also monitoring the daily details of little Alexi' s diabetes : shots, insulin reactions, blood tests and decisions as to how much, what and when he can eat. In response to my anxiety brought about from the realities of a future where I am separated from my family and then from little Alexi's diagnosis, a St. John’s church offered me sanctuary for as long as is needed. I have been here for almost a month now, and have been unable to visit my family, including little Alexi, and my heart is breaking.
If I am forced to leave Canada I will be sent to Latvia (as that was the last place I resided) where 1 have no family or friends to go back to. As a Russian in Latvia I will be treated as a second-class citizen and as I have no government papers to live or work there, or in Russia" I will be forced to live on the street. On top of this, since I left Latvia they have begun to enforce the protection of the Latvian language. And as I speak only Russian, finding a job will be impossible. I think of Newfoundland as my home, and hope to remain here. I wish only to be able to work in order to support Wendy and my grandchildren and also to watch my grandchildren grow up with their "Poppa" around.
For more information please contact: Refugee Immigrant Advisory Council, 204 Water Street, Suite 3000, St. John's, NL, AIC 1C9, Tel: (709)754_4122, Fax: (709) 754_4102
Email: riac@nf.aibn.com Website: www.geocities.com/riaconline
(Sample letter of support, prepared by Ann Bell)
Honourable Joe Volpe, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Citizenship & Immigration
Ottawa, Ontario KlA 1L1
Minister@cic.gc.ca
Volpe.J@parl.gc.ca
Re: Alexi Kolosovs
(Date)
I have made myself familiar with the case of Alexi Kolosovs.
Alexi Kolosovs made himself known to immigration officials upon his arrival to Canada in December 1997. He has followed all the legal procedures necessary to become a resident of Canada, but has been the victim of many unfortunate occurrences during this time period:
1) An unscrupulous immigration consultant (who is now wanted by the RCMP) took advantage of Alexi's ignorance of the English language and Canadian law by demanding 3000 dollars to process his PDRC (Post Determination Refugee Claim) and then proceeded to hand it in late. This is why Alexi's claim was originally turned down.
2) Alexi worked for five years in Newfoundland sharing his extensive knowledge of net making with many Newfoundlanders. Then his work permit was stopped and he was forced to go on social assistance. He has worked hard all his life, and being inactive has caused him much shame and distress.
3) Due to his son's absence from his own family's lives, Alexi was the main financial support (while he was working) and is still the sole male emotional support for his daughter-in-law and four grandchildren.
4) His youngest grandchild and namesake, a Canadian citizen, was diagnosed, at the age of 2, as having Juvenile Diabetes. This happened only 3 days before Alexi’s scheduled deportation.
Alexi is a very caring man and a wonderful role model for his grandchildren to grow up around. Alexi and his family have a very close relationship and he is part of a strong support system for the children. Both he and his grandchildren will suffer psychologically if he is forced to leave Canada. The Immigration Officer who turned down Alexi's Humanitarian and Compassionate Application later admitted that mistakes had been made in the case and that had Immigration and Citizenship Canada known all the details, a different decision would have been made in his case. I implore you to look into this matter as soon as possible and stay Mr. Kolosovs' Removal Order by granting a Minister's Permit.
(Name)
(Full Address)
