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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