Ian McLean, President & CEO
The Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation recently announced that it has created the Immigration Partnership Fund for Syrian Newcomers. This dedicated fund will use community donations to support up to 1200 Syrian Refugees that will settle in our community. The KWCF also announced that it will be matching these donations up to $400,000.
The GKWCC has donated the proceeds from our Chamber Community Foundation Fund this year to support this initiative and we encourage other businesses and organizations to do the same. To date over $80,000 has already been contributed to the fund by the community. This is tremendous support in only the first week, but there is still room to grow the fund and the KWCF needs your help.
What makes the KW Community Foundation Fund so special is that not only will the KWCF match your donated funds, but the federal government has also committed to matching all funds donated in support of resettled Syrian refugees in Canada. This means your $100 donation turns into $300 to assist Syrian refugees coming to our Region.
The donations raised are for everything from the necessities of life, but also to ensure our new neighbours feel welcome and can adjust to life in Waterloo Region as seamlessly as possible. Through your help in supporting this fund, the wonderful work of the Immigration Partnership of Waterloo Region, Foodbank of Waterloo Region, Salvation Army, Volunteer Action Centre, and the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation we will ensure that we welcome our new friends with the customary warmth and hospitality of Waterloo Region.
