An opportunity to help

Windsor Park

Island Lakes

Sage Creek

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/06/2023 (1075 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Members of a local church are working hard to give a family half a world away a better life in Winnipeg.

Some folks at the Windsor Park-based Cornerstone Alliance Church (1100 Autumnwood Dr.) have organized an initiative to bring a family of four to the city from their home in Afghanistan.

Having applied to obtain refugee status, the family is currently located in another country as it awaits the green light to come to Canada.

“They’ll be coming here, hopefully, as permanent residents,” said Richard Greer, a key organizer and congregation member.

The Island lakes resident said the church has made a commitment to raise $40,000 for the family, which would cover its first year living in Winnipeg. He emphasized the initiative is “not a religious thing of any kind, but a humanitarian effort.” He noted the church has undertaken smaller, related outreach projects in the past, but this current initiative reflects the fact it’s widening its reach.

“We’re becoming much more centred on the community and beyond,” Greer said, adding Cornerstone Alliance Church operates a food bank and offers a monthly clothing outlet called “the wardrobe.”

To help organizers achieve their commitment target, they’ll be holding an upcoming dessert night fundraiser.

The event will be held at the church on Friday, June 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. As well as enjoying a selection of delicious desserts and coffee, attendees will also be able to take in a presentation detailing more about the initiative and the refugee family.

Grant Hoeppner, another key organizer and congregation member, works with a number of people who come from Afghanistan, and he’s well aware of the plight facing those looking to leave the Asian nation.

“I hear a lot about their situation, and this provides us with an opportunity to help,” said Hoeppner, who lives in Island Lakes. “There’s a team of six people at the church involved in the process of bringing the family here.”

Hoeppner said the types of support the family will need will include helping them become settled, finding a place to live and a school for the children, and organizing transportation. As well, there are tasks such as registering with Manitoba Health that also need to be taken care of.

“Managing the funds is also an important part of it, as the family will be starting from scratch in a different culture and learning English,” he said. “We have a connection to a small Afghan community in Winnipeg, which will be important in helping them settle.”

Go online at cornerstonealliance.church for more information, or email richardcarsongreer@gmail.com or call 204-615-0852.