Mission Statement

We are a Christian organization serving and advocating for refugee families by providing safe, temporary housing, initial settlement services, and follow-up support.  We influence and engage the broader public through sponsorship, education and advocacy initiatives. 

Vision Statement

The Christie Refugee Welcome Centre is a place of welcome, safety and support for refugees.

Core Values

We are Christian

We respond to refugees with dignity and respect

We are resilient and responsive to the changing needs of refugees

We are committed to children and families

We partner with others to serve refugees more effectively

We are advocates for refugees

Christian:

Motivated by our faith and responding to God’s call to pursue justice and offer compassion, we welcome and shelter refugees, offer hope and dignity and act with integrity in all our endeavors.  

Dignity and Respect:

We respect and engage refugees as full participants in our programs and services.  We are intentional in creating and building a fair and supportive community that offers a sense of belonging, embraces cultural diversity, respects each person’s individual journey, and celebrates the capacity to survive and thrive.

Resilient and Responsive:

We respond to the unique needs of the ever-changing refugee populations who come through the Centre. We are resilient and adaptive to the changing environment, both within the broader Canadian culture and within the refugee community.

Committed to Children and Families:

We value families and support family reunification. With our belief that that individuals are best supported and thrive in a healthy family environment, our housing complex supports the family by providing units that allow families to dwell together and build community rather than institutional settings. 

Partnering:

We work with governmental and non-governmental organizations, churches, corporations and individuals to provide better access to resources and services.  With our partners we exchange knowledge and resources that increase understanding and build mutually beneficial, sustainable partnerships.

Advocates:

We advocate for equitable access and fair treatment of refugees.  We promote just public policies that protect the rights of refugees.

Creating a Safer Community For Children

The Christie Refugee Welcome Centre is committed to the well-being of children and to providing a safe environment and communities for children.  We continually review our policies and procedures to ensure that everything reasonably possible is done to reduce the risk to children residing at the shelter, participating in its Outreach Program and those arriving in Canada under the Sponsorship Program from any form of abuse or neglect, including sexual abuse.

This includes the implementation of a child protection policy that encompasses the following areas:

Awareness raising about child abuse and the protection of children

Programme planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation focusing on the participation and protection of children

Recruitment and screening of staff, volunteers, interns/student placements and board members, and screening of visitors.

Managing visitors to CRWC programs.

Behavioural protocols/codes of conduct for all those linked with CRWC

Allegation and incident management

Advocacy on child protection and child rights

Communication about children

Confidentiality of all child information

Partner organizations and their commitment to children

Behaviour Protocols

Christie Refugee Welcome Centre would like children and their families to feel comfortable and at ease while involved in our programs and when welcoming visitors.  We also would like visitors and volunteers to have a positive experience when participating in our programs.  As a result, CRWC has very specific behaviour protocols (also called codes of conduct) for staff, volunteers, interns/student placements, contractors, visitors, and all who are associated with CRWC.

These behaviour protocols are as follows:

Treat all children with respect and dignity

Listen to children

Be culturally sensitive regarding familiarity in language, dress, and physical intimacy and observe them.

Do not slap, hit or physically abuse a child.  CRWC does not support corporal punishment but recommends alternative methods of discipline.

Do not touch sexual areas of the body or have sex with a child. Having sex with a child is a grave offense.

Do not expose anyone to sexual materials or abuse them through non contact sexual activity.  

Do not psychologically and/or verbally abuse any child. 

Practice the ‘two-adult’ rule, wherein two or more adults supervise all activities where minors or children are involved.

Stop any interaction with a child if a child says stop, or if the child appears uncomfortable with the interaction.

Always ask permission from a child and the child’s parents/guardian if you wish to take a photograph.

Policy Implementation

CRWC staff are expected and required to report any suspicions of child abuse.

CRWC has policy and procedures that respond to allegations and accusations which allow for a process that respects all involved.

Non-compliance with these requirements will be taken seriously.  

All staff and volunteers must have a police background clearance

All visitors to CRWC programs must be accompanied by a CRWC staff member at all times.

All interns/students, board members and other personnel are expected to sign a document that signifies that they agree to abide by the behaviour protocols. 

Volunteer Code of Conduct

Christie Refugee Welcome Centre Volunteers:

- must treat all clients with respect regardless of their political, cultural, or religious beliefs or sexual orientation

- must respect the confidentiality and privacy of client information

- must dress professionally

- must not drink alcohol before you come to volunteer

- must not carry prohibited weapons and illegal substances

- must not bring their children to the Centre while volunteering

- are not permitted to use the Centre’s laundry facilities

- must not date, or be involved in a romantic or sexual relationships with staff or residents

- must not go to residents’ apartments alone – even if the resident asks for your help

- should never give out staff or your home address or phone number

- should tell a CRWC staff person if something is not safe

It is important for you to remember that:

Volunteers who have 3 or more unexplained absences will have their volunteer placement reviewed.

Failure to abide by these guidelines will result in supervisory action, which may include dismissal or suspension by Volunteer Coordinator or staff.