In solidarity with precarious migrants we will still be serving people who are in urgent need
The FCJ Refugee Centre continues to work in solidarity with precarious migrants. We recognize that these populations are severely affected by every single precarity already as racialized and marginalized persons, and with the health and safety of our entire community in mind, we will be making some adjustments to our daily work environment. We will continue to remotely offer as many services as possible by phone, e-mail, or any other electronic means available to us.
We are encouraging our staff and volunteers to continue working from home and come to the office only when necessary. Working from the office is only recommended if they do not need to take public transportation or if they feel comfortable doing so and the ride is not long. We are also committed to practicing cleanliness and social distancing at the office as per the recommendations by the public health.
Due to all the information listed above, and with the encouragement of staff, as of today until further notice, we will switch our way of delivering services to:
Limiting in-person services to the most urgent, moving towards phone, email and any other electronic ways available to us. Particularly related to applications and procedures where the relevant Federal and Provincial institutions have relaxed deadlines, and increased flexibility of their appointments and intake.
For any inquiries on any issue or situation related to immigration and refugee process, as well as about all our services please either contact us at the emails below or call 416-469-9754 and dial the extension below:
Loly Rico, co-director: Ext. 224 lolyrico@fcjrefugeecentre.org
Francisco Rico-Martinez, co-director: Ext. 227 franciscorico@fcjrefugeecentre.org
Diana Gallego, Associate Director: Ext. 225 dianagallego@fcjrefugeecentre.org
We will still be serving clients who are in urgent need due to deadlines that are still in effect, or fundamental needs, while limiting their presence in the office to the most minimum (e.g. one family member). Such clients will only come after they confirm that they haven’t had any recent travel outside of Canada, haven’t been in contact with anyone who has travelled recently, don’t have any presenting Covid-19 symptoms, and haven’t been in contact with anyone with Covid-19 symptoms (cough, fever etc.)
Until further notice, the Primary Care Clinic, which is managed by the Inner City Health Associates, will provide appointments on a virtual care mode or via phone as need. If clients need to renew medication we encourage them to call our Centre and we will explain the procedures.
We have cancelled all our group sessions & workshops until further notice.
We thank you for your patience in this time and look forward to continuing to work together with all uprooted people and our entire community.
In Solidarity,
The FCJ Refugee Centre Team
Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande valley informed us today that the COVID-19 (coronavirus), as well as possible quarantines pose a threat to Sr. Norma’s ministry with susceptible refugees at the USA-Mexican border.
La Red de Jóvenes del FCJ invita a l@s jóvenes recién llegados al país a aprender sobre narrativa (storytelling) y realización de películas.
Migrants are often vulnerable to abuse by their employers and are afraid to speak up or form unions due to their precarious immigration status. Undocumented migrants, in particular, are reluctant to access essential services such as public health, education, and shelters due to fear of detention and deportation, exacerbating their vulnerability and isolation from the rest of society.