President’s Report: AGM 2026

2026 President’s Report – ROAR

By Horst Backé, September 2026

LGBTQ+ refugees can begin new, safer lives here in Nanaimo because of the generosity of sponsorship group members, donors and community supporters.

Each refugee’s journey is made possible by the dedication of sponsorship group members — all of whom are volunteers. Over the past 10 years, 63 volunteers have stepped forward to support refugees. Each volunteer contributes significant time, energy, and compassion. Many have participated in multiple sponsorship groups.

Together, we have welcomed nine remarkable individuals. Each has experienced persecution, and most have suffered terribly in their journey to Canada. All have embraced a safer, more authentic life in Canada, showing resilience, adaptability, and ambition. Most have pursued education. All have found meaningful employment. While they rebuild their own lives — they also enrich our community.

Over the past year, ROAR has been more active than ever.

• One newcomer completed their resettlement year.

• One sponsorship group is supporting a newcomer during their first year here.

• Three sponsorship groups are waiting for four refugees to be brought to safety.

• We are starting or building three new sponsorship groups.

• We have also starting providing support to some  Government Assisted Refugees.

These life-changing opportunities are only possible because of the dedication of volunteers.

Sadly, many LGBTQI+ refugees around the world are still suffering and waiting for sponsorship. That’s why we are always recruiting new volunteers ready to join this life-changing work.

ROAR’s success is also the consequence of hundreds of generous supporters who have donated money, time, household items, furniture, and auction goods, or participated in our events.

Today, each sponsorship costs close to $35,000 per newcomer after arrival. Over the past ten years, ROAR has committed an astounding $289,000 in post-arrival support. With the help of major donors and sponsorship support from IRCC, that total rises to $414,000.

Pre-arrival support is equally important — and often overlooked. Refugees typically wait over a year before arriving in Canada. During that time, many are not allowed to work in the country to which they have fled, so our groups step in to offer financial support. Well over $125,000 was raised directly by sponsorship groups or their members.

In April of this year, ROAR was notified that it is now a registered charity. This is a new chapter for ROAR and opens new funding possibilities.

To all our financial donors, your generosity is critical. A heartfelt thank you.

We are especially grateful to Brechin United Church for supporting us in managing charitable fundraising while we got ourselves ready to do so. Thanks also to the Nanaimo Foundation for $8,300 from the Patricia Lyon Memorial Fund, and we are grateful for our ongoing financial partnership with the Rainbow Foundation of Hope. 

I would like to single out the generous anonymous donors who match donations during our year-end campaign. Thank you!

Thanks to the volunteers who put on another successful Picnic en Blanc, an opportunity to meet with our supporters.

We also thank local businesses who have employed our newcomers and supported our events, and VIU and CVIMS who have provided educational opportunities that make a meaningful difference.

And, of course, this work wouldn’t be possible without our Sponsorship Agreement Holders:

• The United Church of Canada

• MOSAIC (via Rainbow Railroad)

• And especially the Intercultural Association of Greater Victoria which supports the majority of our sponsorships

I also want to express my deep gratitude to last year’s dedicated and very active board members: James Chamberlain, Maria Gomes, Brock Dykeman, Elizabeth Herman, Peter Petralia, Canary Kanyamu, Mark Rabnett, and Jordan Bowie.

This year Peter Petralia, a board member, rebuilt our website and initiated regular newsletters to maintain regular contact with our members. Thank you!

Finally, I’d like to recognize Blaine Wilkins who served not only as president of ROAR for eight years, but as Brechin United Church’s Treasurer which, until this year, managed the Refugee Fund used for ROAR sponsorships. We are deeply grateful.

In closing: Resettling persecuted LGBTQ+ refugees in Nanaimo is only possible because of the broad, continued generosity of volunteers and donors like you.

Your commitment transforms lives.

Thank you.

Horst Backé