Rainbow Refugee promotes safe, equitable migration and communities of belonging for people fleeing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status. We spoke with their communication manager, Norma Lize, to find out more about what they do.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Founded in 2000, Rainbow Refugee promotes safe, equitable migration and communities of belonging for people fleeing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status. We provide support, information, and system navigation to refugees and refugee claimants seeking refugee status in Canada. We manage the Rainbow Refugee Assistant Partnership, allowing us to privately sponsor refugees in collaboration with other LGBTQI+ organizations in the Rainbow Coalition for Refuge.
What problem does it aim to solve?
We don’t solve problems, we work with refugees and newcomers on finding ways for them to be safer in Canada, or to get to Canada and thrive here.
When did you start/join it?
Rainbow Refugee started supporting members and advocating since the year 2000. The team started growing in 2021 and now we are 13 staff and 2 co-executive directors
What made you want to get involved?
The organization started the work because of the need for advocacy and supporting refugees and newcomers moving to BC.
What was the situation like when you started? How has it changed since?
In August 2020, we were only 3 staff members, and lots of volunteers doing the actual work. Now we are 13 staff members and still using the support from our volunteers to make it happen!
What more needs to be done?
More advocacy, visibility, and hopefully more support from the community so we can continue supporting refugees and newcomers!
How can our readers help?
Supporting Rainbow Refugee can take different shapes and forms:
– Donate directly on our website
– Become a monthly donor
– Ask your friends, workplace and communities to donate to our cause or raise money for us
– Spread awareness about our work by sharing our social media content on your own platforms.
– Volunteer with us.
Do you have any events coming up?
No events open for the public coming up this month. If people would like to know more about our events, they can subscribe to our mail list and they will receive updates.
Where can we follow you?
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Website
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
Qmunity, HIM, MOSAIC, Sher… and much more!
