Giving Thanks Together
As the autumn leaves begin to fall and a crispness fills the air, families across Canada are preparing to gather around tables to celebrate Thanksgiving. A time of reflection, gratitude, and togetherness. At Inasmuch Community Society, this season serves as a good reminder of the profound strength, unyielding resilience, and unwavering hope we witness each day in the lives of the refugee claimants we are privileged to serve, as they navigate unimaginable challenges in pursuit of safety, dignity, and a fresh start in a new land.
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on what we are grateful for and this year, we are especially thankful for:
The courage of every refugee claimant who walks through our doors.
The unwavering support of our volunteers, staff, and donors.
The growing community that continues to embrace newcomers with open arms.
Intern Gabby doing her practicum with us this fall through UFV
Staff who have stepped up to lead the work experience projects and oversee our intern and her pilot project.
Your support has helped us provide safe, dignified housing to so many individuals and families this year, offering more than shelter offering hope, healing, and community.
With Gratitude: Farewell to the Ware Street House
This fall, we will be closing the doors of our Ware Street House, a place that has been home to many and a meaningful part of our community. While it is bittersweet to say goodbye, we are deeply grateful for the memories, stories, and lives that have been shaped there.
While we say goodbye to this house, our work continues. Our other transition houses remain open, and we are excited about the new opportunities ahead to serve even more people. Thank you to everyone who served in this house whether it was through coffee times or mowing the lawn your help is appreciated.
We are very excited in this season to have 4 residents doing work experience projects for us, made possible through the Work Experience Opportunities Grant from United Way. This province-wide grant helps fund job placements for individuals on income assistance – and we are thrilled to be offering four people valuable Canadian work experience to support their path to meaningful employment. www.uwbc.ca
How You Can Help This Season
This Thanksgiving, consider how you can be part of someone's fresh start:
Host a Thanksgiving meal for our residents
Donate Essentials – Walmart gift cards for groceries, toilet paper, paper towel, cleaning supplies for our women's transition home
Home baked goods for our weekly coffee times
Become a Monthly Donor – A steady gift ensures we can plan long-term support for every new arrival.
