By Josh Hall

Good Deeds

Central Alberta Refugee Effort needs community’s help to mark 40 years

Jan 25, 2020 | 10:02 AM

To celebrate its 40th anniversary in the community, Central Alberta Refugee Effort (CARE) is encouraging Red Deerians to participate in 40 acts of caring.

Executive Director Frank Bauer says when they considered how to mark the occasion, what immediately came to mind were stories about how CARE got started.

“CARE began with small charities, individuals and church groups working out of their homes with garages full of support material. That was around the time Vietnamese people were fleeing their country and moving to Canada, so many settlement agencies were starting up,” says Bauer.

In 1979 and 1980, Canada accepted 60,000 refugees from the Indochina region during the aftermath of the Vietnam War.

“We’ve developed into a big organization with a lot of interaction in the community emphasizing that settlement, integration and welcoming newcomers is a task of the entire community.”

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CARE now offers services ranging from helping with employment and ESL studies to translation and school support.

“Racism is worrisome, but that’s not the overall sentiment of our community,” says Bauer. “We have promising examples of groups that really embrace newcomers.”

“If you know you have neighbours that have come to the city as immigrants, invite them to your home, or go to meet them, and get to know them,” he says. “Show interest”

Multicultural get-togethers and potlucks can also be fun ways to achieve 40 acts of caring, Bauer adds. The 40th anniversary will include a yet-to-be-scheduled larger community gathering, and CARE has also unveiled a modified red logo for the year; ruby traditionally denotes a 40th anniversary.

To follow along with 40 Acts of Caring in 2020, use the hashtag #CARE40 on social media.

More information about CARE is at www.immigrant-centre.ca.