Volunteering and humanitarian immigration: why volunteering at the chu

Volunteering and humanitarian immigration: why volunteering at the church and how it can strengthen your humanitarian case?

Why volunteer and should you volunteer if you already work?

Truly, just a few years ago, volunteer activity played a key role in humanitarian cases because many applicants:

were in Canada without legal status,
did not have a work permit,
lived for years on expired visas or remained on “visitor” visas.

This meant that showing integration, an active position, and participation in the life of society was only possible through volunteering.

But time’s changing.

Today, humanitarian cases increasingly feature applicants with a work permit. People work, do double shifts, pay taxes...and volunteering is not always relevant here, not because people “don’t want to,” but because they don’t even have time to sleep. And this is understandable.

But!

If one of the spouses does not work or works part-time, volunteering still remains a strong element of the humanitarian case.

Why church?

The church in Canada is not only a Sunday sermon. It is a real social center that helps all year round:

families with children,
the elderly,
vulnerable groups of the population,
new immigrants.

Often times, all this is put on the shoulders of volunteers. Their work is invisible... but very valuable.

Here are just some of the things that church volunteers do:
Help with children during Sunday services (programs like Kids Shine),
Babysit children in small kindergartens (for 1-2 hours while the service is going on),
Organize summer camps,
Film videos, set up lights and sound,
Help with events organization,
Sell food during holidays’ times,
Organize evenings for teenagers,
Clean up premises after events,
Help elderly parishioners and families in need.

And most importantly: you offer your help yourself.

No one hires or pays you which is the essence of real volunteering.

Important thing to note: this is not a question of religion

You can be Catholic, Orthodox, Christian, Muslim, it doesn't matter.

What is important is that you are ready to contribute to the society you live in.

This is exactly what is valued in humanitarian cases.

What you need to show is that:

you do not just live in Canada,
you have “blended” into the community, and
you contribute not for the sake of profit, but you do it from the bottom of your heart.

Why it works out for immigration?

Because the humanitarian program is not about “formal points”, but about the human factor (although there are points too, just different ones).

You do not just show:

“I need protection.”

You say:

“I have become a part of Canada. I want to stay here. I am already making this place better.”

And volunteering, especially in the church shows this more vividly than any words.

Who is it for:

those who are currently unemployed,
those who work part-time,
those who want to strengthen their humanitarian file,
spouses of those who work full-time,
students and temporary residents with limited work opportunities.

NOW is the best time to gain volunteer experience!

Summer is the busiest season for church volunteering. Children's camps, holiday events, summer programs, helping new families...The demand for volunteers is huge!

Contact a church in your area, ask where help is needed, and get started. You are doing it for yourself and for others.

Volunteering is not about “working for free”.

It is about who you have become in Canada.

And if you are ready to give and to help others, all your good deeds will definitely come back to you.

Oleksandra Melnykova, Immigration and Refugee Consultant in Canada