BLACK COALITION FOR AIDS PREVENTIONRefugee Settlement Program
HIV positive and LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning) refugee claimants are a particularly vulnerable population because of homophobia, transphobia, HIV and HIV related stigma. In addition, being new to the country creates difficulties in finding employment, housing, and accessing services. As a result, we work to address the difficulties that many of our clients face when trying to gain refugee status. With Black CAP’s support most claimants are successful.
The Black CAP Refugee Settlement Program aims to support ACB Refugee Claimants that are PHA’s or from the LGBTQ community. the immigration process, health care system, social services, housing, legal, employment and education etc. This is all done in an effort to make their transition to life here in Canada smoother.
The program is guided by the following objectives:
- To help refugees claimants & other newcomers from Africa and the Caribbean to settle and integrate into Canadian society
- To assist refugees who are LGBTQ or living with HIV to access settlement services in an enabling environment
- To deliver effective one-on-one and group support services for refugee claimants
The delivery of programming that includes:
- Assistance in preparing for Refugee hearings
- One-on-one counseling
- Referrals to internal and external programming such as housing, employment, legal services, etc.
- Workshops on immigration and settlement
- Support and social groups with other LGBTQ and HIV positive refugee claimants
- Practical Supports such as accompaniment to appointments, form and documentation completion and emergency financial assistance
The Government of Ontario Newcomer Settlement Program
Jimoh Bello
Refugee Settlement Coordinator
Phone: 416-977-9955, ext. 246
Email: j.bello@black-cap.com
