The Inland Refugee Society of BC (IRS-BC) is a non-profit, non-governmental agency dedicated to assisting families and individuals seeking refuge in Metro Vancouver, BC.

When refugee claimants arrive, Inland Refugee Society is often their first point of contact. While their claim is being processed, we ensure that their immediate needs are taken care by providing refugee claimants with housing assistance, ESL and life skills classes, a weekly food bank, and other services.

IRS-BC which has been operating since 1984 is one of the oldest refugee serving agencies in BC, and is committed to helping newcomers while respecting their human rights and dignity.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Refugee claimants arrive in Canada without a place to stay, and with little to no money left. Inland Refugee Society of BC helps them once they arrive by providing emergency housing referrals, housing search assistance, food assistance, clothing assistance, transportation assistance, information and referrals, and ESL instruction.

When they arrive in Canada, Refugee Claimants are not eligible for welfare until they submit their Refugee papers. They are extremely vulnerable to street homelessness at this time. Many end up in homeless shelters in the DTES.

Inland Refugee Society of BC is looking for three types of accommodation:

1) Emergency Free Shared Accommodation: set up on short notice, and lasting 1 night - 1 month.

2) Medium Low-Income Accommodation: short term rental stays of 1 - 6 months. Refugee claimants will be going through their hearing during this time, and any stability you are able to provide them will help them during this time. They will be on welfare and will have a rental allowance of up to $375 per month. If you are able to offer this kind of accommodation, we can set up a viewing/meeting between you and a potential renter (refugee) who we think would be a good fit.

3) Long Term Housing: low-income private rental rooms, suites, apartments and houses. We will work with you to find a tenant that you feel comfortable with, and arrange a viewing/meeting between you and the potential renter (refugee).

If you would like to explore this opportunity fill out our housing offer form here! --> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CcOOP0xj2GOYK1dQkDX4oCp4BMhc_Vm0Td0OIPftj2Y/viewform

Interests

Learning new language, meeting people from different cultures, helping people in a time of need, sharing my own culture with others, etc.

• culture
• human rights
• dining
• clothing
• socializing
• volunteering

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

We are crowdfunding funds to open emergency accommodation for refugee claimants in Vancouver. Visit the campaign to share this cause with your friends or to donate a few dollars! If you would some help thinking up ways to fund-raise, we can help you. :)

Teach, Learn, Share

If you are a friend of the cause, add us as a friend! There are many opportunities to volunteer in our office too! Learn more by visiting our website: www.inlandrefugeesociety.ca

What I Can Share with Hosts

Every refugee has something special to share.

Countries I’ve Lived In

Afghanistan, Burundi, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Nigeria, Philippines, Russian Federation, Syrian Arab Republic, Ukraine