A little good news in the rain...

Money talks, say those who either have it or don’t, but is there any evidence to show that money listens? Having recently concluded the first in a series of controlled experiments, the little-known and less-quoted HRC Science Thinktank has come out with a press release version of the emphatic nod. Yes, money listens, it lends an empathetic ear, it even can be said to come over on a Sunday with soup.

Here is how money has listened to the Halifax Refugee Clinic this month:

Many of you either attended, helped plan, donated to or volunteered at the HRC’s first annual Auction for Asylum, held on December 8^th, 2011, at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Attendance at the event was phenomenal, and since the event and the subsequent online auction, Clinic staff has been counting the ducats raised and have come up with a grand total. Thanks to all the donations from local businesses and artists, donations of food from local restaurants, volunteer hours and sweat put in by a dedicated team, and the glorious (also donated) venue, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, the Auction for Asylum raised over $7,000.00. Thanks to the tireless work of volunteers and the generosity of this community, money listened.

Earlier this week, the newest member of the HRC team answered a call on the office phone line. Much to her surprise, the gruff voice introduced himself as a probation officer and went on to affirm that “he had goodies for her”. From such unlikely beginnings, it was soon discovered that the beneficent caller was indeed a probation officer and was donating calling cards amassed through the Adult Diversion Program to clients of the Clinic. At the Clinic, calling cards are used during refugee determination hearings for counsel to call personal or expert witnesses. Many clients also use cards to call family members and loved ones left behind. We hope the kind probation officer knows that his gifts represent lifelines to many.

Next week, the Clinic invites all volunteers and interested parties to join us for a fundraising meeting. Flush from the giving season, we are looking for ways to extend the season all year and organize regular events to raise awareness and funds. These events may take the form of a bakesale, a potluck, a clothing exchange, or a concert. If you have an idea, a ton of energy, or have simply had a lot of luck catching money’s eye recently, please join us on January 25^th, at 3:30 at the Halifax Refugee Clinic to plan.

Thank you to everyone who has shown their commitment to the clients of the Halifax Refugee Clinic through their giving this month.

A few things we forgot in 2011

Having already dispensed with the first of my work related New Year’s resolutions (Write blog posts punctually every week), I have been trolling the Globe and Mail for the year in review in refugee stories. Trolling, I must add, without success. 2011 was the year the Canadian Parliament passed Bill C-4, the glibly titled “Preventing Human Smugglers from Abusing Canada’s Immigration System Act”. The uproar caused by this re-jigging and re-issue of a previously defeated Bill-49 was formidable. Refugee advocacy groups dubbed bill C-4 the “Anti-refugee Bill”, claiming that the measures put in place under this bill would hurt, not protect, those at the very center of Canada’s refugee protection system.

            Among the concerns of refugee watchdog groups was the creation of a designated group of foreign nationals for whom refugee protection in Canada is offered with certain caveats intact. If designated (which sounds great until you read the fine print), you can be summarily detained for a year without regard to your individual situation, you may be denied reunification with your family, and you may be prohibited from traveling abroad for over 5 years. You may be only five years old, and these conditions still apply. There is rather a lot of poetic license written into Bill C-4, as the crux of the act rests on the Minister’s determination of who is a “designated foreign national”. Mode of arrival is the only guideline given to the Minister in order to determine who is a designated foreign national. (Hint: you on a plane with plenty of id documents = good, you and a hundred compatriots in a boat = bad).

            So far, little mention of the human smugglers. They must be featured in Chapter 2…

It was in the balmy summer months of 2011 when Bill C-4 passed, despite admirable debate and many fruitful conversations about Canada’s obligation to would-be refugees worldwide. Now with 2012 in its infancy, we must hope that the spirit of our refugee protection system has not gone quietly into that good night. Many and poignant were the voices that, while the debate over C-4 raged, hearkened back to the days when the Refugee Convention was forged. A world ravaged by WWII collectively acknowledged its culpability in refusing those Jews fleeing Germany who had landed on distant, including Canadian, shores. An agreement was created in 1951 to prevent the prejudices of today from causing the regrets of tomorrow. It is the spirit of this first legislation, if not the precise wording of its laws, which inspires the Canadian refugee protection system today.

History does not repeat itself and we rarely learn from our past mistakes. The men, women, and children who arrived in Vancouver in 2010-2011 are not those who arrived in 1939. The world is a different place and our obligation to protect more articulated. So lest we assume that those arriving en masse by boat are by default queue jumpers, dubious, terrorists, or by default anything at all, let us remember that those first would be refugees arrived by boat. May the prejudices of 2011 not turn into the regrets of 2012.

Community: What is it and Where is it?

About two months ago I was asked to comment on "What Makes a Canadian Community Great" for a cross-Canada Globe and Mail article. The article said that: "In Nova Scotia, 24-year-old Swantje Jahn is trying to make her city more accepting of newcomers through her work as the community engagement co-ordinator for the Halifax Refugee Clinic." and "...  she works to create new communities by introducing her clients to the people of Halifax and vice versa. Next week, she will hold a baby shower for a newcomer from Iraq, the gifts provided by local moms motivated by a shared experience that transcends nationality. “We have so many differences, but at our core, we all want the same thing: We all want to belong,” Ms. Jahn says. “That’s what community is.”


The interview made me think hard about community. Is it just another feel good word used to give meaning to an undefinable experience? Does the act of defining community actually cause division rather than inclusion? What communities do I belong to? And the really hard question....What have I done for my community lately? I don't have all the answers. But, in my heart I know that  it is not possible to build community alone. Just because I believe in and work for stronger, safer and sustainable communities does not mean that they magically appear. Just because it Should be so, doesn't make it so. Community is a collective effort. Community means nothing unless we give it meaning. 


The baby shower mentioned in the article, was made possible by a community of caring women, volunteers, friends, and people who wanted to help. Busy moms took the time to trek to our store front office pushing a stroller and bags of baby items. Impressive, not just the amount of items that were generously given, but also the amount of energy that was invested. There was music, there was food, there was laughter. Love is in the details and our community loves to help.  They walked the distance, they made a difference. The result? Well I think this thank you note we received from the expecting parents a few days later, says it all: 


"It's really sweet of you, the clinic and the people who helped us and
gave us the happiness and comfort and made us forget the stress and
sadness we had before. We don't feel we are alone any more.

Now, we are really waiting to see the baby. You (All the people who
helped even with a smile) are making this experience really awesome.
Thanks our dear friends."

What makes a community great? When people no longer feel alone. When stangers become friends.


Community is what you make it. So lets make our communities the best they can be, lets welcome those who are new, lets help those who need help,  lets foster friendships rather than enemies, lets grow rather then hide, lets love rather than fear. 


Community is everything, and not possible without you.  


Have a great weekend and Happy Friday to you :)






To learn more about the work of the Halifax Refugee Clinic please check out: www.halifaxrefugeeclinic.org


To read what Community means to lots of inspiring young people across Canada check out:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/time-to-lead/what-makes-a-community-great/article2082694/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=National&utm_content=2082694

Sweet Justice

Community. Unity.  Charity. Justice.

There is a saying, popular in religious teachings that states “Charity gives but justice changes”. As a registered charity, the Halifax Refugee Clinic relies on charity to promote social justice. The two are interconnected, interdependent, and inseparable.   The Clinic could not exist without our community giving.  From community members who donate large and small amounts to our Emergency Settlement Fund.   Generous people, just like you who reach into their pockets knowing that their change can actually bring about social change.  But people give in other ways too, this week many of you freely gave much of your time, you put a shoebox in your office and collected personal care items, one of you dropped off enough money to buy 100 bus tickets for clients, you met for a one on one tutor session after working all day, you stood for community and justice through your charity.

Yes, love is in the details, but today I found love in cupcakes.  I did not know how happy cupcakes could make people. Melt in your mouth goodness, leaving you wanting another bite.  These particular cupcakes were made from scratch, using the cook’s grandmother’s recipe in her kitchen out in Prospect. Baked in polka dot paper they could not have been anymore charming. They traveled to the Seaport Farmers Market where I came across a booth operated by someone who is really passionate about making good things and doing good things by giving to her community. I happened to mention that I was on my way to a mini spa for female refugee claimants held at the Halifax Refugee Clinic.  Cupcake genius,  owner and operator of Little Red Kitsch’n, Jenna Durling offered to pack up a big batch of cupcakes for the women attending.  Jenna insisted that these would be her treat, free of charge.  There would be beauty services (offered by two great volunteers), relaxing music, a chance to chat with other women, a moment to forget about everything going on.  The cupcakes made everyone smile, a four year old ate hers just as eagerly as a forty four year old who tasted one for the first time in her life.

When Jenna heard about the fundraiser bake sale at the SUB at Dalhousie from 9:30-5 pm tomorrow, she started baking, dark chocolate cupcakes with raspberry cream cheese icing to be exact. Maybe its charity, but putting love into something without expecting anything in return, that to me is the foundation of justice. Sweet justice, with icing on top.

Thank you for reading, baking and caring.

~Swantje Jahn

BSW, Community Engagement Coordinator 

From the Desk of the Community Engagement Coordinator

Who Are We? 

The Halifax Refugee Clinic does amazing work. For the past ten years the Clinic has offered no cost legal and settlement services to refugee claimants who are unable to afford a lawyer. Our core funding comes from the Law Foundation of Nova Scotia (Thank you!) and wonderful volunteer and community assistance and support (Thank you!)

The Clinic is more than a small office in downtown Halifax; it is a lifeline to the most vulnerable, and a place where hope for a new life is restored. Through tireless work of the volunteers, board members, legal counsel and dedicated staff, clients of the Clinic are treated with respect and dignity so social justice can be achieved.

Who Am I?

I fell in love with the Clinic when I started volunteering two years ago. This led to a opportunity to do my field placement 

at the Halifax Refugee Clinic.  As a social worker, I strongly believe in the power of community and am so pleased to have a position as a  "Community Engagement Coordinator" 

This role allows me to build partnerships, friendships, networks, make connections, inspire and be inspired.

If you would like to become involved in any way, please send me an e-mail halifaxrefugeeclinic@gmail.com

If you have a moment check out our website www.halifaxrefugeeclinic.org

Please stay tuned for events, stories, opportunities and ideas. 

Thank you for reading!

~Swantje Jahn

                                     

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