Refugee Sponsorship Training Program

The Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) is a program of the Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAHs) of Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The objective of the RSTP is to address the information and ongoing training needs of

• SAHs and their Constituent Groups;
• Groups of Five; and
• Community Groups.

This program addresses the initial information needs of sponsored refugees.

The RSTP is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

The RSTP has produced a number of information and training resources for private sponsorship groups. Constituent Groups can obtain these products through their Sponsorship Agreement Holder. Groups of Five and Community Groups can contact their local CIC office. The following resources are available on this website.

1. Sponsoring Group Handbook

The RSTP Sponsoring Group Handbook emphasizes the “hands-on” work of helping newcomers settle. It covers the following:

• group formation
• sponsorship processing
• cross-cultural communication
• sponsor/newcomer relations
• contact with settlement agencies
• refugee reception and orientation
• financial support
• life-skills training, employment and education.

2. Information for Privately Sponsored Refugees

This is a step-by-step guide for the private sponsorship group to start work with its sponsored refugee. It explains the process to follow once the sponsorship application of the sponsoring group is completed.