As part of our combined commitment in supporting parishes through the refugee sponsorship process, AURA and diocesan representatives are launching a new initiative – the Diocesan Refugee Network.

The objective of the network is to provide a forum to share information and increase communication among the many refugee committees within the Diocese.

Our inaugural online meeting on Thursday, June 10 at 5 p.m., we will be moderating a discussion on issues/questions submitted in advance by attendees. To put yourself on the mailing list for this and subsequent meetings of the network, or to submit a question/issue for discussion, please contact Elin Goulden, Diocesan Social Justice & Advocacy Consultant and AURA Liaison at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This month our Refugee Network meeting will be pushed back one week to Thursday, June 16, at 5:00 p.m. to have the opportunity to hear from Ibrahim Mohebi about the situation facing the Hazara community in Afghanistan. Ibrahim came to Canada in 2005 as a Hazara refugee from Afghanistan and was later able to sponsor his wife and children to join him.

In 2019 Ibrahim worked with AURA and St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Richmond Hill to sponsor his mother, brother, and brother’s family to Canada. He is the co-founder and president of Canadian Hazara Humanitarian Services, a non-profit organization working to promote volunteerism within the Hazara community and assist with the settlement and integration of newcomers to Canada, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

The following meeting July 14th will be a drop in meeting for general questions and conversation.