This holiday season, let’s unite as a community to empower families with the joy of a festive dinner and a heartwarming celebration.

Your contribution to our Holiday Food Drive isn’t just a donation; it’s an investment in creating meaningful holiday experiences for our neighbours in need.

As we come together to make this holiday season brighter for our community, we invite you to join us in person this weekend in Toronto, in front of NoFrills:

• Where: Luciano’s NoFrills, 243 Alberta Ave, Toronto, ON M6C 3X4
• When: December 2nd and 3rd, 10am to 2pm

Our dedicated team will be there, ready to accept your generous donations and share the spirit of giving.

Whether it’s festive non-perishable items or a contribution towards empowering families with holiday dinners, your support will directly impact the lives of those in need.

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Transformative Impact

• Enabling Holiday Dinners: Your support ensures that every family in our community has the opportunity to savour a special holiday dinner.
• Empowering with Food Baskets: Your donation goes towards assembling holiday food baskets, empowering families to partake in the seasonal celebrations with dignity. Making a donation online or donating a gift card allows us to better tailor each household’s needs.

Ways to Make a Difference:

• A $100 donation empowers a family with a festive holiday dinner.
• Opt for a $50 NoFrills gift card instead
• Drop off festive non-perishable food items at our community collection points.
• Share the spirit of celebration – spread the word about our Holiday Food. Drive with your friends and neighbours.

Your commitment helps create a holiday season filled with joy, unity, and shared celebrations. Thank you for being an essential part of making this festive time special for everyone in our community. We will see you there!

You can’t make it? No problem! You can also donate here:

As we approach this year’s Giving Tuesday, we find ourselves reflecting on the challenges faced by vulnerable communities, especially the recent housing crisis in Toronto. The FCJ Refugee Centre has been at the forefront of providing settlement and immigration support to those in need, and now, more than ever, they require your help.

Over the past couple of months, the housing crisis in Toronto has intensified, leaving many women without a safe place to call home. We are reaching out to you today to ask for your support in a unique and impactful way – by giving the gift of shelter.

This Giving Tuesday campaign aims to match the cost of providing room for a woman in Toronto. The reality is that many of these women have fled, seeking safety and a chance for a better life. Your donation can directly contribute to providing them with a room, ensuring they have a secure space to rebuild their lives.

By contributing to this campaign, you are not just providing a physical space; you are offering hope, security, and the opportunity for a fresh start. The FCJ Refugee Centre works tirelessly to offer comprehensive support, including legal information, counseling, and community integration programs.

Here’s how you can make a difference:

• Donate: Visit our donation page and contribute the cost of a room for a woman in Toronto.
• Spread the Word: Share our campaign on social media and encourage your friends and family to join the cause. Use the hashtag #RoomForHope and #GivingTuesday to amplify our message.
• Volunteer: If you have the time and skills, consider volunteering with the FCJ Refugee Centre. Your direct involvement can make a lasting impact on the lives of those in need.

This Giving Tuesday, let’s come together as a community to support our neighbors who are facing the challenges of displacement. Your generosity can truly make a difference and provide a brighter future for these women.

Francisco Rico-Martínez

The Law Foundation of Ontario announced today that the late Co-Director and Co-Founder of the FCJ Refugee Centre Francisco Rico-Martínez is the posthumous recipient of the 2023 Guthrie Award, the Foundation’s signature award to recognize exceptional access to justice champions.

It is with great pride and a profound sense of appreciation that FCJ Refugee Centre share this special announcement.

Francisco’s unwavering dedication to the cause of access to justice leaves a lasting mark on our organization and the lives of countless individuals. As we reflect on this remarkable moment, we draw ongoing inspiration from his commitment to justice for all.

The Guthrie Award stands as a testament to his extraordinary legacy, and we seize this moment to celebrate and honor the man who champions access to justice with heart, passion, and vision.

Join FCJ Refugee Centre in paying tribute to Francisco Rico-Martínez. His legacy lives on through the work we perform each day. Together, we ensure his mission endures, continuing to make a profound difference in the lives of those who need it.

“A passionate voice”

“The name Francisco Rico-Martínez is synonymous with the rights of refugees,” says Linda Rothstein, the Foundation’s Board Chair. “He devoted his life to ‘walking with uprooted people’ and used his passionate voice and empathy to inspire a more just, fair, and humane immigration system.”

Francisco was the Co-Director of the FCJ Refugee Centre, the organization he founded and ran with his spouse, Loly Rico. FCJ provides advice, counsel, and support to refugees, migrant workers, survivors of human trafficking, and others at-risk related to their claim or immigration status. FCJ is also a leading public legal educator and advocate on refugee and immigration policies and issues.

“Francisco was the greatest advocate our community could imagine,” shared Diana Gallego, FCJ Senior Director and who nominated Francisco for the Guthrie Award. “There is not a single person who was not touched by his grace, encouragement, and nurturing. He was a great champion for the rights of the marginalized, the forgotten, the ignored. Francisco worked every day to ensure no one would be left without hope or would find a closed door. We continue this fight for justice in his memory, inspired, and guided by his life’s work.”

A refugee

Francisco was born and raised in El Salvador. There he earned his Juris Doctor and worked as a lawyer, law professor, writer, political analyst, and human rights advocate. He was an investigator for the archbishop office of San Salvador and a refugee issues advisor for the Jesuit Refugee Service.

Due to his activism, Francisco was a target of civil violence. He, Loly, and their children were forced to flee El Salvador during the civil war. They arrived in Canada as refugees in 1990. They did not speak English and their education credentials were not recognized. A year later, with the support of the Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus, Francisco and Loly founded a project that would become the FCJ Refugee Centre. They ran FCJ together for almost 30 years before his death in August 2021 at the age of 63 from cancer. Loly continues to serve as FCJ’s Executive Director.

“Francisco’s life and career embodied a deep and abiding commitment to service and making the world a better, more just place for everyone,” shared Sharry Aiken, Associate Professor, Queen’s University, Faculty of Law, who supported Francisco’s nomination. “He organized rallies, spearheaded community fundraising drives, engaged in incisive policy advocacy, and had a truly impressive record of finding a way around any legal roadblock. Through op eds in print media and countless appearances in news and public affairs programs, Francisco was a leading voice for refugee and migrant rights in Canada.”

Francisco was awarded a Community Leadership in Justice Fellowship from The Law Foundation of Ontario. Through it he conducted research on the basis and implications of the ‘principal applicant’ approach of Canada’s immigration and refugee law, policy, procedures, and programs, and he delivered faculty and student lectures on the ‘‘uprooted people’ perspective of immigration.

Refugee Help in Refugee Hands

“When Maytree began our focus on immigration and refugee issues, we supported an initiative Francisco developed called Refugee Help in Refugee Hands,” shared Elizabeth McIsaac, President, Maytree, who supported Francisco’s nomination. “As a refugee advocate with lived experience, he understood the need to empower refugees with the tools they need to claim their rights and access justice. The impact was broad and shaped the work of the centre and other refugee serving groups going forward.”

Francisco was the first refugee to serve as the president of the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR). The organization established the Francisco Rico-Martinez Access to Justice Award in 2021 ‘to honour and continue Francisco’s leadership over his three decades within the CCR’.

He was a commanding presence on many other boards and networks, including as the Toronto Regional Director of Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants, co-chair of the Inland Protection Group of the Canadian Council for Refugees, and a member of Legal Aid Ontario’s Immigration and Refugee Law Advisory Committee. He was the recipient of numerous community awards including the City of Toronto William P. Hubbard Race Relations Award and the YMCA Peace Medallion.

The Guthrie Award Medal will be presented at a private reception with Francisco’s family, colleagues, and community, public health protocols permitting.

About the Guthrie Award

The Law Foundation of Ontario created the Guthrie Award in 1996 to honour H. Donald Guthrie, Q.C., a long-standing member and Chair of the Foundation’s Board. A Guthrie Award recipient joins the legacy of the Guthrie Award and becomes a member of an esteemed group recognized for their achievements in improving access to justice. Past recipients have come from many directions – the judiciary, private bar, community legal clinics, and nonprofit organizations. They saw a chance to make a difference and took it. See the full list of Guthrie Award recipients.

As a part of our Uprooted Junior Program, FCJ Refugee Centre and Musicbox Children’s Charity are offering a new season of free music classes.

Come build musical foundations through fun, educational and engaging activities!

Open to kids 6-12.

• Where:
  In-person at the FCJ Refugee Centre
  208 Oakwood Ave.
  Toronto, ON M6E 2V4
• When:
  Wednesdays 5:00-6:00 pm
  (private lessons)
  Thursdays 4:00-5:00 pm
  (group lessons)
• From November 2023 to April 2024

Hosted by skilled volunteers that speak several languages:

• Goup lessons: English, French, Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish.
• Private lessons: English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Tagalog, Korean

For more information, please contact Stefan:
stefanjk@fcjrefugeecentre.org

That was a great Ride For Refuge! Thank you so much to all of you for all your support. It allows us to continue working with vulnerable and uprooted people. It’s not being an easy year for refugees, immigrants, people without status… But thanks to your generosity, our doors remain open. The funds we raised will play a crucial role in sustaining our core programs.

Gallery:

Francisco Rico-Martínez

The Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) is now seeking applications for the Francisco Rico-Martinez Access to Justice Award. The award exists to honour and continue Francisco’s leadership over three decades within the CCR, and it is given on an annual basis to support a project aligned with the core commitments of the also late co-founder and co-director of the FCJ Refigee Centre.

If you have an idea for a project that will further Francisco’s legacy, you can request up to a maximum of $10,000 to help push it forward.

The deadline to apply is Tuesday October 17, 2023.

Applicants

Applicants may be an individual, a group of individuals or an organization in Canada.

Applications must be:

• Submitted by a member organization of the CCR,
  OR
• Supported by a member organization of the CCR.

Eligible projects

You can propose projects designed to advance access to justice in an area within the mandate of the CCR in one or both of two fields: Capacity building and Advocacy.

Here are some more specific areas for consideration, based on Francisco’s commitments:

• Building leadership of people with lived refugee experience
• Supporting youth leadership
• Developing political understanding of how to effect change
• Advocating for rights for refugees and the forcibly displaced
• Advocating for access to education for all
• Advocating for access to status

Click here to download the application to apply.

If you prefer to donate to the award fund instead, click here.

We are thrilled to invite you to the Undocumented Residents Day event, on Thursday August 24th.

For more than 30 years, the FCJ Refugee Centre has been amplifying the voices of Toronto’s most marginalized communities. We are proud to continue working alongside The City to invite all Torontonians to increase awareness, engage in discussion, and embrace Toronto as a true Sanctuary City, where everyone is welcome and treated with dignity. A Toronto we can all be proud of.

Undocumented Residents Day features an exhibition showcasing artwork and stories from undocumented residents in Toronto sharing their experiences. This collection of art and community materials is presented in the City Hall Rotunda from August 21st to 24th. The display, which is free and open to the public, has been organized by the City of Toronto’s Newcomer Office in collaboration with FCJ Refugee Centre, Access Alliance, and Migrants Rights Network.

It is our belief that by shedding light on these stories, we can work towards a more informed and supportive community that recognizes the importance of equal rights and opportunities for all.

In 2013, the City of Toronto was the first Canadian municipality to adopt an Access without Fear Policy to ensure access to City services, regardless of immigration status. More information about the policy is available on the City’s website.

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities.

On the occasion of Undocumented Residents Day, the City emphasised that, “as the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses.”

Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Shelley Carroll (Don Valley North), Vice-Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee, in partnership with the FCJ Refugee Centre and Access Alliance, will join members of the community to recognize Undocumented Residents Day.

Date: Thursday, August 24
Time: 5:30 p.m. (speakers begin at 5:45 p.m.)
Location: Rotunda, City Hall, 100 Queen St. W.

To confirm your participation in the, follow the link:
https://s.cotsurvey.chkmkt.com/UndocumentedResidentsDays

We hope to see you on Thursday August 24th at 5:30 p.m. to mark Undocumented Residents Day in Toronto!

The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT) is announcing the establishment of the Francisco Rico-Martínez Award. This distinguished award is a tribute to Francisco who was an unwavering champion of refugees and marginalized communities. We are excited to share this opportunity with you, and we believe that your commitment to social justice aligns perfectly with the spirit of this award.

This award will honour two exceptional students enrolled in a relevant post-secondary institution. Each recipient will be awarded  a prize of $2500, recognizing their outstanding dedication to the advancement of refugee rights and marginalized populations.

This award is inspired by Francisco’s enduring legacy as a refugee himself and his visionary contributions as the co-founder of the FCJ Refugee Centre.

Please find the guidelines here:

African groups, groups working with refugees —including FCJ Refugee Centre—, people experiencing homelessness, and other civil society groups gathered this morning on 129 Peter Street, the City of Toronto Referral and Assessment Centre, to call on all levels of government to urgently provide emergency housing and support, in order to address the current shelter system crisis that is impacting unhoused refugee claimants and migrants in Toronto.

The organizations called on all orders of government to establish temporary reception centres for refugee claimants and migrants, so they can receive short term shelter and appropriate wraparound supports as their refugee claims are processed, including providing immediate emergency street outreach and mobile resources, and health care support.

They also demanded funding for shelter support services that include appropriate services for refugee claimants and migrants, and use an anti-Black racism and anti-racism framework.

In that regard, they stressed that a significant proportion of refugee claimants in Toronto who are unhoused and without any shelter or community services and support are or African origin. African groups and civil society organizations are deeply concerned, they said, that there appears to be a lack of action to address the housing crisis faced by African, racialized refugee claimants. There are approximately 30 or more African people at any given time sleeping on cardboard outside of the 129 Peter Street location in Toronto.

“As a refugee that came to Canada 33 years ago, I am standing here in solidarity with my sisters and brothers that are sleeping on the streets, and to say shame on the Government of Canada,” said Loly Rico, Executive Director of FCJ Refugee Centre.

“This is not the first time that we see waves of refugees coming to Canada after a conflict rise in the world. There was always a bed for them. But this is the first time that we are seeing refugees sleeping on the streets. This is a shame. We should be ready for this situation,” she added.

“I am standing here to demand to the different levels of government to take responsibility. We ask the City of Toronto to open more emergency beds now, and to establish a reception centre for refugee claimants and precarious migrants,” said Rico.

“It is very sad to see people lining up looking and hoping to have a bed today. Enough is enough. Stop blaming refugees,” said Loly Rico. “This is a government responsibility, and especially for the Federal Government. We ask Prime Minister to take action and not just words. He always says that refugees ar welcome. Then do it and welcome them, in the same way that we have being welcoming refugees in the past and giving them the chance to have a new beginning with dignity,” she added.

The representatives who participated in the event pointed out that “in response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, all orders of government acted quickly to support displaced people, including providing shelter, housing, and services.” “Civil society organizations call on governments to show the same compassion to refugees and migrants from other parts of the world,” they added.

The organizations said that unhoused people on the street face sexual exploitation and high levels of violence, as well as inadequate food and healthcare: “As new arrivals in Canada, refugee claimants’ unfamiliarity with Toronto has left them more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.”

Together with the Executive Director of FCJ Refugee Centre, Loly Rico, also speaking at the event were Diane Walter, Executive Director at Margaret’s Housing and Community Support Services; Kizito Musabimana, from the Rwandan Canadian Healing Centre; Debbie Hill-Corrigan, Executive Director at Sojourn House; Manny Wong, Executive Director of Christie Refugee Welcome Centre; Siu Mee Cheng, Executive Director of Street Haven; Mr. Asuman, a migrant from Uganda; Debbie Douglas, Executive Director at OCASI; Christopher Nkambwe, from the African groups; Pastor Eddie Jjumba, Ugandan Canadian community leader; and Dr. Meb Rashid, Medical Director at The Crossroads Clinic, Women’s College Hospital, University of Toronto.

Here is our Summer 2023 Newsletter! In this issue you will find information about our latest street party, the World Refugee Day march (in which we took part), and the FCJ Refugee Centre Annual General Meeting, together with an in-depth article on labour trafficking, how this problem is reflected in the news, the work FCJ continues to do to fight it and why we support the Status For All campaign.

You will also find everything you need to know about Ride for Refuge, our biggest annual fundraising campaign, and how to get involved; testimonials from our summer students; updates about our upcoming events and our latest podcasts; follow ups on our Capacity Development Training program and the collaborative project A Roadmap to Justice, and much more.

Media release

FCJ Refugee Centre
COSTI Community Services
Skills For Change

Toronto / June 28, 2023

Community groups in Toronto are calling on the governments of Canada and Ontario, and Toronto’s Mayor-elect to act urgently to provide emergency and long-term shelter for refugee claimants in Toronto.

A significant number of refugee claimants continue to arrive in Toronto and other Ontario communities. The number of refugee claimants arriving in Toronto in particular continues to be high, even after the expansion of the Safe Third Country Agreement to irregular crossings of the Canada-US border and the closure of Roxham Road.

Mr. M.H., a refugee claimant from Ethiopia has been sleeping on the streets for the last three weeks. He has not been able to find a bed in a Toronto emergency shelter. Every day he comes to a local refugee house hoping for better news, and a shelter bed.

“Every morning we find refugee claimants lined up outside our door, hoping that this is the day they can get a shelter bed. This is a crisis. We cannot abandon our responsibilities to refugee claimants – especially children. We are counting on our new Mayor Olivia Chow, and the federal and provincial governments to work with us to find an immediate solution to the urgent shelter and housing crisis refugee claimants are facing” – Loly Rico, Executive Director of FCJ Refugee Centre and Provincial Director, OCASI.

“Globally, the number of people forcibly displaced is at an all-time high. We have done well in welcoming displaced Ukrainians. Let’s do better to welcome refugee claimants fleeing other conflicts and persecution. We call on all orders of government to step up to provide emergency shelter and supports for refugee claimants” – Yasmine Dossal, Director, Social Services at COSTI and Toronto Regional Director, OCASI.

“As we face the Ethiopian refugee crisis in Toronto, it is crucial that we acknowledge its criticality and the urgent need for action. Refugees have left their homes, seeking safety and a better future. We have a moral responsibility to provide comprehensive support, including education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, enabling them to rebuild their lives and contribute to society. By investing in their well-being and empowering them, we not only offer a chance for a brighter future but also enrich our communities with their diverse perspectives and talents. Let us stand in solidarity, extending our compassion and support to Ethiopian refugees in Toronto as they embark on their journey of healing, resilience, and hope.” – Surranna Sandy, CEO, Skills for Change

Community groups have sent an open letter to the City of Toronto, and to the governments of Canada and Ontario, calling for urgent action. The groups are calling on the newly-elected Toronto Mayor to:

• Receive refugee claimants arriving in Toronto;
• Provide emergency shelter in Toronto with support to transition to long-term housing; and
• Provide support services

They are calling on the federal and provincial governments to:

• Ensure refugee claimants at Toronto Pearson Airport and other international airports are received appropriately;
• Resource municipalities to provide emergency shelter in Toronto with support to transition to long-term housing;
• Resource community-based organizations to provide shelter and housing, and support services.

Contact:

Loly Rico – 416-399-5105 or lolyrico@fcjrefugeecentre.org
Yasmine Dossal – 416-402-0561 or Yasmine.Dossal@costi.org
Sampada Kukade – 647-293-4445 or skukade@skillsforchange.org
Carolina Teves – 647-606-0440 or cteves@fcjrefugeecentre.org

On the occasion of World Refugee Day, we walked in solidarity with those who walk across countries and continents to find safety.

Together with other refugee advocates, we started our 10 Km march at Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino’s office in Toronto, and went all the way to Ireland Park, by lake Ontario.

We denounced the perils that refugee claimants face trying to enter Canada because of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) and the closure of the Canadian border to the vast majority of asylum seekers.

Gallery:

This year’s FCJ Refugee Centre Diverse Residents, One Community Street Party was a really great day.

We enjoyed great music and great food, we danced, we played, we had time for reflection… We built community and celebrated our diversity.

Thank you so much to all the artists, speakers, volunteers, staff and everyone who made it possible.

We wanted to reach out to you on the significant occasion of World Refugee Day to shed a light on the ongoing refugee situation in Canada and request your generous support.

At present, Canada is facing a critical refugee protection crisis, with an increasing number of individuals and families seeking safety and a chance to rebuild their lives. The need for comprehensive refugee protection has never been more urgent, and we believe that together we can make a real difference.

On World Refugee Day, we come together to honor the strength and resilience of refugees around the world. It is a day to commemorate their courage, celebrate their contributions, and raise awareness about their plight. With your support, we can extend a helping hand to those who have fled war, persecution, and unimaginable hardships.

Here are some key facts about the current refugee situation in Canada:

• Growing Numbers: 100 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of conflict, persecution, human rights violations and violence. Among them are 27.1 million refugees, around 41% of whom are under the age of 18. Since the easing of border restriction on November 21, 2021, there have been over 90,000 claims made across Canada, representing a 50% increase in claims compared to the same period pre-COVID (2018/2019).
• Humanitarian Challenges: Many refugees arrive in Canada with limited resources and face numerous challenges in accessing basic needs such as housing, healthcare, and education. Last year alone, our organization provided support to over 10,000 refugees.
• Legal Support: A significant portion of these refugees require legal assistance to navigate the complex asylum process and ensure their rights and protection are upheld. In the past year, our protection team has provided crucial support to more than 5,000 refugees, helping them secure their status and access the protection they deserve.

On this World Refugee Day, we invite you to stand with us in support of the vulnerable refugees who have sought sanctuary in Canada. Together, we can make a profound impact and help create a brighter future for those in desperate need.

By donating to our organization, you directly contribute to the well-being and protection of refugees in Canada. Your support will help us provide essential services, including Settlement, Refugee Protection, Access to Education and Anti-Human Trafficking.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes and your continued support of our organization. Together, we can be a beacon of hope for refugees and build a more inclusive and compassionate world.