YYC Afghan Refugee Mentorship Program

​Refugees are people who have been forced out of their country of origin and are unable to find safety. Afghanistan fell to Taliban rule in August of 2021 after foreign military forces left making life dangerous for those who assisted the Canadian Forces or held occupations as human rights advocates or journalists, and many others.
 
Calgary has been chosen as a hub for Afghan refugees coming to Canada. Although several settlement agencies have been funded to aid them, we all know it is incredibly difficult to start a new life.
 
Our objective is to give Afghan refugees a renewed sense of autonomy, and help them thrive. Refugees come with skills and experience that significantly contribute to improving the societies that welcome them. It is an absolute privilege to help them along their resettlement journey in our city.

Settlement knowledge

​We are currently working on creating short educational videos in English and Farsi on basic day to day knowledge they need to be aware of on topics such as:

• Driving
• Resume/job hunting
• Starting a small business
• Climate/weather (how to dress and what to expect)
• Understanding schools/education system
• Housing (finding a place, paying bills, neighbour etiquettes)
• Grocery shopping & getting used to everyday activities
• Information about Calgary and surrounding areas
• Understanding taxes
• Home economics, budgeting, personal financial management

 
If you would like to help us make this happen, or have further comments, please connect with us.

​Building a database of professional mentors
 
Are you a working professional who would like to become a mentor to help Afghan refugees gain insight into the employment field? Do you have knowledge or skills that you think are vital to building a life in Calgary, or in Canada in general, that refugees need to be aware of?

If so, connect with us through the form below and we will get back to you regarding potential mentorship opportunities. As a volunteer group, we are trying our best to aid these refugees, any help is welcomed!