Celebrating their 10th anniversary, SAFE changes their name from Syria Antigonish Families Embrace to Settlement in Antigonish for Families from Everywhere.
SAFE started their volunteer sponsor group in May 2015 during the Syrian refugee crisis.
Their first mission was to sponsor one Syrian refugee family to resettle in Antigonish.
After receiving incredible support from the community, SAFE ended up welcoming several families in the first few years of the society.
SAFE became the only Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) in Nova Scotia recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in 2018.
They partnered with social groups from Antigonish, Pictou and Inverness counties to accept applications and welcome displaced refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Now, they have facilitated 164 individuals to relocate to Northeastern Nova Scotia, along with the other sponsor groups over the past 10 years.
Their new name Settlement in Antigonish for Families from Everywhere now reflects their current mandate of welcoming displaced newcomers from everywhere.
SAFE is celebrating their new name, 10-year anniversary, success and contributions of newcomers at St. Francis Xavier University on Saturday, Nov. 15.
