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Every single day, LGBTQI+ people around the world face inequality, violence, torture, and even execution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics.

Today, 70 countries around the world criminalize same-sex relations and seven countries punish same-sex relations with the death penalty.

Navigating the refugee system is overwhelming and no easy task, taking significant amounts of energy, time, and money.

Once a person has been granted refugee status, they often face increased difficulties establishing themselves in their newfound community. For example, language barriers, financial worries, mental health issues that may arise from fleeing.

Please make a donation today to help us raise funds needed to sponsor and resettle an LGBTQI+ refugee to Nova Scotia.

If you would like to make a donation* by cheque, money order or e-mail money transfer, please contact rainbowrefugee.ns@gmail.com

We are very thankful for your donation!

WHAT WILL YOUR DONATION COVER?

RRANS provides financial support to LGBTQI+ refugees that we sponsor for their first 12 months in Canada, as well as settlement support during these 12 months and beyond.

It costs RRANS approximately $15,000 to sponsor an LGBTQI+ refugee, and we couldn't do the work without the generous support of our community.

This $15,000 covers a number of essential things for a newcomer during the first 12 months of settlement in Nova Scotia. RRANS provides a monthly support payment to cover a newcomer’s living expenses, including housing (rent and utilities), food, clothing, medications and personal care products, cell phone and internet costs. As well, we provide start-up funds on arrival for a newcomer to partially furnish their new home, purchase clothing and personal care products, pay for a security deposit, and any other essential things that we are unable to source through community donations.

Additional to the $15,000 cost of directly sponsoring an individual, RRANS incurs other indirect settlement costs, including wages for our Settlement Coordinators who provide settlement support, systems navigation, and create and oversee Circles of Care to provide additional settlement support and community connections for LGBTQI+ newcomers we work with.