Refugee Support

The Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) Refugee Support Initiative in collaboration with the Windsor-Essex Welcomes Refugees community program

The Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) is dedicated to supporting refugees! Millions of displaced individuals are in need of help, and while there’s no easy solution, the Windsor Essex Welcomes Refugees (WEWR) Community Project, with the support of the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918), is working to make a difference.

We are raising funds to sponsor a family who has been torn apart by the war in Syria. In 2019, we successfully brought five members of this family to Canada, and now we’re committed to reuniting them with the five remaining family members—a husband, wife, and their three children (ages 12, 9, and 5) who are still in the Middle East.

With your support, we can offer them the protection, security, and opportunities they lack in Syria. Together, we can provide a brighter future for this vulnerable family.

What does it take to bring a family to Windsor?

To bring a family of five to Windsor, the Canadian government requires our group to raise at least $32,300. In addition to financial donations, in-kind contributions such as rent-free or discounted housing, furniture, household goods, and pharmacy or grocery gift cards are also invaluable.

The Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) is committed to this effort and will issue income tax receipts for donations over $25.

Here's how the cost breaks down to support this family:

  • $32,300 total
  • $2,700 per month
  • $620 per week
  • $90 per day

Every contribution, whether financial or in-kind, brings us one step closer to reuniting this family in Windsor.

We match your donation  - $1 for $1

Thanks to the generosity of private donors, the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) is excited to offer a matching gift program! Every donation will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $10,000. This means your $100 donation instantly becomes $200, doubling the impact and helping us reach our goal twice as fast. Your support can make an even bigger difference in reuniting a family in need.

We'd Love to Tell You More about This Project

We are conducting community presentations about our plans for sponsorship. If this is of interest to you, please contact us to arrange a date.

How We Support Their Integration into Canada

In addition to bringing the family to Windsor, the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) and WEWR is committed to supporting refugee families as they transition to life in Canada. We will assist with transportation to medical and other essential appointments, help them navigate vital systems like healthcare and education, and provide ongoing support in any way we can to ensure they adjust smoothly to their new home. Our goal is to make their resettlement as seamless and welcoming as possible, giving them the tools and resources they need to thrive in their new community.