On January 27, the AGBU Young Professionals of Toronto (YP Toronto) organized a job fair for over 200 Syrian Armenian refugees at the AGBU Centre in Toronto.
The Armenian community in Canada, most notably those in Toronto and Montreal, have quickly mobilized resources to sponsor hundreds of Armenian families. Sponsorship of refugees entails commitments from temporary housing to providing basic assistance with paperwork, job searches and a range of settlement issues.
Since the unfolding of the crisis in Syria, YP Toronto has organized a number of fundraising activities and provided support to refugees settling in Canada. Over the past three years, it has dedicated its annual Christmas fundraiser to helping Syrian Armenians. In January, YP Toronto, in partnership with the AGBU Sports and Youth Committee, raised thousands of dollars for this cause.
Reflecting on the ongoing crisis in Syria, YP Toronto chair Mihran Egavian noted that “the hardships inflicted upon so many people are of historical proportions. There is a real urgency for the community to come together and respond. This is our moment of humanity and solidarity and YP Toronto, like other Armenian groups, is determined to do its part.”
Utilizing its professional networks and in cooperation with a number of Toronto-based organizations, YP Toronto helped organize the first in a series of job fairs, which attracted a number of potential agencies and employers. These initiatives are designed not only to connect prospective jobseekers with employers but also to create an intimate, informal space where refugees, through small on-site workshops, can receive practical advice on resumes, cover letters and the effective use of professional networking sites. Ancillary services, such as banking advice and opening new accounts, are also provided.
Christine Kavazanjian, YP Toronto treasurer and branch manager with one of Canada’s largest banks, explained that “many newcomers lack basic understanding of Canadian banking system.
In light of growing demand for resources to adequately address the plight of Syrian Armenians, YP Toronto will intensify collaboration with local entities to assist newcomers on the ground.
