October - 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.

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.