RESEARCH
REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP & RESETTLEMENT
Globe
“I like to call sponsorship a journey that is done together. You are going on a river, you’re going to have to portage sometimes, there are going to be rapids, it’s going to be quiet and still and unmoving sometimes, there are variables that you have no control over, there are unknowns. It’s a human experience. It’s an organic experience. You need to be prepared to journey together for that one year and arrive at the destination”. 
(Research Participant, Private Refugee Sponsor)

RESEARCH OVERVIEW
This pilot study explored the needs, challenges and best practices of the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program in Canada. Qualitative interviews were conducted in Toronto with 34 key informants (diverse sponsors, Sponsorship Agreement Holder staff, and settlement sector staff and volunteers) in the summer of 2018.

This research was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Ethics were approved by the Research and Ethics Board of Wilfrid Laurier University
 
ABOUT THE RESEARCHERS
Dr. Juanne Nancarrow Clarke is a professor emeritus from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her current research utilizes an applied research lens, critically examining topics such as gender and medicalization, medical error and experiences of refugee sponsorship groups. Dr. Clarke was a member of a sponsorship group for a Syrian family from 2015-2016.

Taylor Marlow is a M.A. graduate from the Wilfrid Laurier University Sociology department, with a focus on immigrant and refugee resettlement experiences. She has worked in research, facilitation, project management and monitoring and evaluation in the academic and non-profit sectors in 5 countries around the world.
 
RESEARCH PRODUCTS
This research is still in progress. To date, several research products have been produced. This includes:
These products can be viewed and downloaded through the above hyperlinks or on the lefthand side of this page. Please feel free to circulate these findings with any interested or relevant stakeholders. 
 
INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN FURTHER RESEARCH
The researchers are looking to expand their examination of innovation within the refugee sponsorship and resettlement sector. Please contact Taylor Marlow at marl2640@mylaurier.ca if you are interested in participating or know of individuals or organizations that exemplify values of innovation, creativity and problem-solving within the sponsorship or settlement sectors.