On Saturday, January 25th, 2025, Jean Gardy Joseph, our community worker, organised a potluck meal along with the JRS Canada team and the refugee committee.

“There’s no better way to create bonds than to share meals that are linked to everyone’s culture,” said Fiona Barbaro Sant, a volunteer with JRS Canada.

The evening was an opportunity for refugees, migrants and displaced persons to get together and fraternise.

“The initiative to organise such an activity is in keeping with the very spirit that drives the Jesuit Refugee Service: the desire to always be at the side of refugees”, said our community worker.

The evening began with a gift activity led by one of our volunteers. The activity was a great success, and the guests joined in by unwrapping the many layers of wrapping paper from a gift that had been passed from one participant to another. The game lasted most of the evening before the meal began.

“I really enjoyed the event and the game was a fantastic way to encourage interaction and help people get to know each other. It was fun and a thoughtful way of including people of different ages and backgrounds,” said Fiona Barbaro Sant.

Fiona Barbaro Sant, one of our volunteers with the gift, and Tevfik Karatop, Project Manager for JRS Canada, at the meal organised at Maison Bellarmin.

The aim of this activity was to promote the integration of the people we support for several reasons.

Firstly, we want to reduce the sense of isolation and marginalisation that the people we support may feel. That’s why we offer a friendly space for sharing, in the hope of reducing their loneliness.

Secondly, we want to build self-esteem and a sense of community for everyone.

Thirdly, we want to encourage cultural and artistic expression, enabling refugees to value their unique identity and the dignity of each individual.

“Incorporating songs, languages and jokes was a very clever touch, which made this experience an excellent way of getting in touch with each other,” said Fiona Barbaro Sant.

Fourthly, we want to encourage the autonomy and active participation of refugees in society.

“Too often, we overlook the fact that refugees have capacities and resources, even when they are faced with difficulties. Their hope and resilience drive them forward and they actively participate in shaping their new home. This event was a powerful testament to their capacity for action and their commitment to contributing to their new community,” said Tevfik Karatop, Project Manager at JRS Canada.

In conclusion, social activities are essential to help refugees rebuild their lives in a new country. They are a powerful lever for their integration and their personal and collective fulfilment.

“It was also with the aim of reaffirming, in the face of the current discourse on refugees and migrants, that the JRs remains resolutely committed to accompanying, defending and serving refugees, thus renewing its commitment to them with conviction and loyalty”, declared Jean Gardy Joseph.