The McDougall United/Christ Moravian Refugee Support Group

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in”

Matthew 25:35-38 New International Version 

Since 2018 within our human and financial capabilities, our volunteers have provided a wide range of support, as needed, to 10 refugee families settling in Calgary. Our group has 12 volunteer members from McDougall, Christ Moravian, the community and recently from Red Deer Lake United.  Most of the families we support arrive as permanent residents and receive federal funding for the first year. The support we provide varies depending on the needs of the family but typically involves help with:

• Household furnishings and clothing

• Supplementary food

• ESL and school registrations

• Computers for school and job search

• Advocacy (with governments, employers, banks)  

• Connections to medical and dental professionals

• Resume writing

• Transportation (e.g. bicycles, driving lessons) and, 

• Just having some fun with Canadians!

Most items are obtained through donation and through frugal shopping but on occasion we help out financially (either as gifts or loans) with funds donated by our congregations and community. Our original approach was “one family at a time” but with the arrival of relatives due to war or harsh regimes we are now supporting 3 families from Afghanistan – a family of 5, one of 9, and a family group of 7 (single parents and 4 children) - and a family group of 3 couples and a toddler recently arrived from Palestine.  

This is very rewarding work.  If you are interested in learning more about what we do please contact Marjorie MacRae, Team Lead, (thru the McDougall Office).