You can donate to our cause by clicking on the button below. It takes you to the donation page of the Intercultural Association of Greater Victoria ICA. Once open, please choose our Constituent Group Number CG 188-23 in the drop-down menu.

Personalized Gift Certificates

Custom Gift Certificates are available for donations of $50 or more. Please email us the details for personalization at [email protected] and provide name of individual, couple or family you wish this to be made out to and who you would like it to be from.
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This certificate is sized and ready for printing on 8.5x11 paper.

​Help us reach our fundraising goal!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support of our private sponsorship group Victoria Shows Love and our determination to bring Alex and his family to safety in Victoria. We have surpassed the $23,000 mark of our first fundraising goal in under four months. At the end of November 2023 we were at $8000 and as of December 15 we have $30,000 in our Inter Cultural Association (ICA) accounts.

Victoria shows love? Yes indeed they do!.

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$0 / $60,000

During our meeting at ICA, we discussed the impact of inflation on our fundraising goal. In light of this consideration, we have a revised target of $60,000. This adjustment aims to ensure the financial support for Alex and his family the first year upon their arrival three years from now.

If you donated through ICA, please note that the progress bar may take some time to be updated as ICA provides us with the total donation information on a monthly basis. 

Fundraiser Events

Storytelling! Join us for an evening of captivating storytelling! Immerse yourself in the world of fun and fascinating tales, filled with humor and charm. Don't miss out on this enchanting event!

Date & location: TBA
Celebration for Our Refugee Family Arrival
As we await the approval of Alex and his family's refugee application to be processed and accepted, we are planning a heartfelt celebration to welcome them to Victoria once they arrive. This event will honor their journey and the community's support during this process.
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While we do not have a specific date yet, we invite you to stay tuned for updates as we finalize details.
This celebration will be an opportunity for the community to come together in support of the family and celebrate their new beginning in Canada. We hope to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere as they start this exciting chapter of their lives.

Date & location: TBA
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About our sponsorship project


​Important statement!

Please be aware that while we are a dedicated group of volunteers collaborating with the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA), we do not officially represent the ICA. Our initiative focuses on sponsoring a refugee family, and while we are passionate about this cause, we are not authorized to offer guidance or information regarding the process of sponsoring refugee families into Canada.

For accurate and comprehensive details on refugee sponsorship, we encourage you to directly contact the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria. The ICA is well-equipped with the necessary information and resources to assist you. For more information, you can visit their official website at https://www.icavictoria.org/ 

We appreciate your interest and support in these humanitarian efforts. Thank you for understanding our position and the limitations of our group.

"Victoria Shows Love" is a community group that is co-sponsoring this project with the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) as the Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) of bringing Alex and his family to live in Victoria and we need your help. The family of four is from Syria, and now lives in Lebanon with "no legal status", a precarious existence in which they are surviving.

Alex's sister, Sasha, who is herself a refugee from Syria, now well established in Victoria, has been working to bring her brother and his family to live here. She is leading a group of volunteers who are determined to sponsor Alex and his family to at last find safety and security here in this island home we all love.
    
"Victoria Shows Love" assumed the responsibility in collaboration with ICA of bringing Alex and his family to Canada, but we cannot do this without the help of you and our community! To move his refugee claim application forward through the Government of Canada's Refugee Sponsorship Program, we need to raise a very significant starting amount of money. These funds will be held in trust by ICA to ensure the family's financial stability upon their arrival in Canada, covering essential expenses such as rent and food.

You can help by donating funds (1),(2) sharing this initiative with others in the community who might like to help, or joining our group to support with your skills.

How to donate

(1) if you would like to donate through ICA website, please click on this link that will take you to the donation page. Once open, please choose our Constituent Group Number CG 188-23 in the drop-down menu (towards the end of the list).
- You can also send ICA a cheque with our CG 188-23 mentioned on the cheque.
- Or you can send an e-transfer to [email protected].
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You may also want to indicate whether you require a tax receipt for your donation or not.
    
(2) A tax receipt will be issued by ICA for non-in trust donations of over $10.
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About the refugees

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Figurative representation of a memory involving fleeing Syria. This image will be replaced with the actual photo of the refugees upon their arrival in Canada.

​Alex and his family (wife and 2 little children under the age of 5) were forced to leave Syria because of the ongoing revolution and civil war in that country that started in 2011. 

Alex was a victim of senseless and random violence in a society without law and order. He was harassed, and attacked by paramilitaries on different occasions, making life in Syria very dangerous for his family. Alex was also illegally held captive, tortured, and threatened with death. His little children were not exempt from threats and harassment. Armed gangs separated the children from Alex, who was threatened with weapons in front of his children. All were unspeakably terrorised.

Luckily, Alex and his family managed to escape these attackers and eventually escaped to the neighbouring country of Lebanon, where, as undocumented asylum seekers, the family's personal safety is little better than that in Syria.

The seriousness of their situation lies not only in the challenging circumstances that they currently live in but also, in the fact that Alex is continuously and justifiably fearful that he might face deportation from Lebanon due to his illegal status, potentially sending him back to Syria - a distressing fact of life for Syrian refugees in that country.

Our group believes in a community that has shared values, where appreciation for one another transcends boundaries of race, gender, religion, and more. We firmly believe that, with your generous contribution to this project, we can successfully fulfill our mission of offering Alex and his family a second chance at a normal life. This will allow him to raise his little children without the constant fear they have experienced thus far. Together, we can make this vision a reality.

"Diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice we make every day".
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About Victoria Shows Love


​Victoria Shows Love is a passionate and dedicated team committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of Alex and his family, a Syrian family who fled their country due to the civil war. Our mission is to provide hope, support, and opportunities to this family seeking refuge in our community.

Our Purpose

At Victoria Shows Love, we believe that every person deserves a chance to rebuild their life with dignity and security. Our aim is to offer comprehensive support to this Syrian family as they navigate the challenges of their journey as refugees.

Our Values

Compassion, Empowerment, Collaboration. These values drive our actions and decisions as we work tirelessly to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for Alex and his family.

Get Involved

You can be part of this transformative journey. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness of our work, your contribution matters. 

Join us in making a lasting impact. Connect with us at [email protected] and follow us on Social Media to stay updated on our initiatives.
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Meet The Team

Behind Victoria Shows Love is a diverse team of individuals from various backgrounds, united by a common goal. From experienced business to community leaders, each member brings a unique perspective and expertise to our group.

Doug B.

Doug was one of the owners of a Calgary-based travel agency with locations across Canada, for over 30 years. He retired from that company and moved to Victoria in 2011.

In Calgary, he was actively involved in two neighbourhood associations as well as a business association. Doug is passionate about advancing sustainability and active transportation in Victoria. He loves the city and also is an avid walker. 
    
Doug has been a member of the Victoria Downtown Residents Association since 2013 and is currently Vice President and Treasurer of the association. He is also President of the Strata Council for the building on Herald Street where he lives. His other interests are travel, reading, history, and music.

Frances L.

Frances is a creative problem solver and award-winning multi-media professional. Her love of the outdoors and concern about environmental degradation and climate change has set her on a path to create healthier, happier communities rooted in regenerative decision making.
​Visit www.franceslitman.com and www.creativelyunited.org to learn more.

Hazel L.

Hazel immigrated at eighteen years to Canada in 1967, and lived for over fifty years in Calgary, Alberta. She has two daughters and one six-year-old granddaughter. While in Calgary she pursued her education and a vocation in teaching and counselling in the field of rehabilitation and disability studies. Early in her career she taught children with special needs within the Calgary Board of Education, and later taught part-time at both Mount Royal and the University of Calgary.

Her work focused on assisting families and individuals often marginalized and barriered in society to navigate the disability and mental health services systems, which often included immigrant and refugee families.

Upon retirement in 2015, she began volunteering for CCIS with Syrian refugee families arriving in Calgary through connecting them with community programs and services and adjusting to life in a new country and cultural experience.

Moving to Victoria in 2017, Hazel continues to volunteer with Immigrant and refugee students at ICA and currently assists teachers in the LINC classrooms.
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Hazel’s creative pursuits are painting and memoir writing.​

Mila C.

Bio coming soon!

Nancy K.

Nancy has had a full career as a civil servant in the federal government, provincial governments, and municipal government - not all at the same time of course. 

The misery endured by millions of refugees worldwide with no end in sight to the series of human disasters is so painful to see!   Lifting one refugee family to safety is a small practical way to help. Sasha's fierce energy in the effort to free her brother and family makes her cause irresistible.

Nancy M.S. and Terence S.

Nancy & Terence moved to Victoria in 2011 after a year of backpacking in Southeast Asia. While overseas, they did volunteer social work with marginalized groups which has increased their understanding and compassion. They have been involved with Syrian families for the last 7 years and appreciate the rich culture they bring to Canada.

Nevin T.

Bio coming soon!

Tysh

Tysh, a recent retiree was instrumental in building the South Island Farm Hub and Kitchen Connect. Both are initiatives of the Victoria Community Food Hub Society and contribute to feeding everybody and building the infrastructure for a strong local food economy into the future.
    
"I've been blessed to be able to work for many years on a project that has a direct impact on the community and is laying a foundation for the future. With the wildfires this summer and the increased frequency of severe weather events all around us it can be very disheartening. Even from our privileged position it is difficult at times to have hope. The refugee community is full of hope.  Hope that they can bring their sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and parents to safety in Canada. 
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I am grateful to be able to participate. This gives me hope. Hope for the family and for the world."

Sasha D.

A former resident of Syria, Sasha has found a new home and a second chance at life in the serene beauty of Victoria, BC. From the ashes of adversity, she has risen as a proud Canadian citizen, and her journey continues with a mission close to her heart: reuniting her family after the storm of upheaval.

The tranquil landscapes of Victoria have provided the backdrop to her tale of resilience and renewal. As a once-displaced soul, she understands the profound impact of compassion and community support. Today, Sasha stands at the crossroads of two worlds, striving to extend the same refuge that was once offered to her.

The threads of destiny have woven a path that now connects her to her brother, his wife, and their two precious children. Fleeing Syria's turmoil, they embarked on a journey of their own seeking safety and solace. Guided by the values of family and unity, she is working diligently alongside a dedicated refugee sponsorship group through ICA to help bring them to Canada and offer a haven of hope.

But this endeavour is not hers alone - it is proof of the strength of community bonds. The support, solidarity, and open hearts of others have the power to make this dream a reality. Together, they can offer Sasha's family a fresh start, a chance to heal, and the embrace of a nurturing community.

Beyond this noble mission, Sasha finds joy in exploring Victoria's natural wonders, capturing its essence through her eye's lens, and partaking in its diverse cultural tapestry. Each day, she is reminded that the power to change lives lies within the reach of a united community.

Her journey from Syria to Canada is a story of triumph over adversity, and now, she invites others to be a part of the next chapter. Support, whether through sharing, contributing or simply spreading the word, can make a lasting impact on this journey of hope.

Thank you for walking alongside Sasha on this path of compassion, resilience, and unity. Let's be a shining example of what a community can achieve when it rallies behind a cause.

Thank You!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who share our vision of a world where refugees find safety and opportunity. Together, we can create a brighter future.

The dire situation in Lebanon!

To gain insight into the challenging circumstances faced by the majority of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, consider reading some of the articles below.
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"Lebanon is hosting the largest number of refugees per capita in the world amid a grueling economic crisis, but this is no excuse to round up Syrians and dump them over the border into the hands of their abusive government. Syrians in Lebanon are living in constant fear that they could be picked up and sent back to nightmarish conditions, regardless of their refugee status." 

- Ramzi Kaiss
Lebanon researcher, Human Rights Watch
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Contact Us!



Important statement!

Please be aware that while we are a dedicated group of volunteers collaborating with the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA), we do not officially represent the ICA. Our initiative focuses on sponsoring a refugee family, and while we are passionate about this cause, we are not authorized to offer guidance or information regarding the process of sponsoring refugee families into Canada.

For accurate and comprehensive details on refugee sponsorship, we encourage you to directly contact the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria. The ICA is well-equipped with the necessary information and resources to assist you. For more information, you can visit their official website at https://www.icavictoria.org/ 

We appreciate your interest and support in these humanitarian efforts. Thank you for understanding our position and the limitations of our group.

Victoria Shows Love 2024