That is so cool that you are doing this. I dont think a one year committment is very much at all foe such a big, important thIng. Do other people assist you with this family?
Yes, it is truly a COMMUNITY effort. We are sponsoring one family from Syria and one from Burma (since the option opened up while we were waiting for our Syrian Family) The Main Committee that handles main fundraising and financials and coordination between the many different parts is about 10 people.
Then each family has their own sub-committee which involves one person coordinating each of the following: Financials, translation, medical care, education and ESL (my job), shopping coordination, driving and transportation. I might be missing a category or two.
There is the local college and other non-profits who are assisting with some extra education and I currently have 4 volunteer ESL teachers/tutors plus myself so they are getting 5 days a week of English instruction, plus taking advantage of some of the low cost and free activities in the community for social engagement.
The college has worked with us to provide a nursing student who is working on her practicum, our local industry has made donations to help with some of the financial costs.
The main committee hosts an International day on Family day as their main fundraiser that showcases all our various ethnic communities. It really is a full community endeavor.
Unfortunately, with the recent shootings in Quebec, it has set us back with establishing the safe feeling for the family we have been trying so hard to cultivate. All we can do is support.