Don protégé
John and Ermalin are living in Burnaby with their six children. They recently arrived in Canada so John could return to the film industry here in Vancouver. They are living in a 2-bedroom apartment and unable to obtain any government assistance due to some pandemic-related red tape they are working out (wait times to get a driver’s test due to backup, same for residency status etc.)
John made his way back into the film industry and was guaranteed work until the new year, but that ended abruptly last month with no news of when will be able to return.
In the meantime, John, his wife and his six kids are living in a 2 bedroom apartment with no savings to get them through the next few months.
John and Ermalin left Thailand because his industry shut down and as foreigners (John is Canadian, Irmalyn is Filipino) during a pandemic, they had very little opportunity to find income and no potential for assistance.
They considered going to Ermalin's hometown in the Philippines, but they could not get flights, again, because of the pandemic. She was also cautioned by her family that it was no longer a safe place to bring her family.
After selling everything they owned, John, his wife and their six sons hopped aboard a flight to Canada.
John was assured he would have government assistance once he landed and so, with the 600 dollars in his pocket as well as a month of rent money, he and his family headed toward a brighter future.
Or so they thought.
Little did he know the government closures created serious wait times for approval of social assistance. What would normally take just a few days to apply and get approval was now taking weeks and months due to the current climate and office closures.
John was offered a driving job which he had to turn down as he has been in the lengthy process of upgrading his license, since August.
Ermalin is not able to work and their 6 children cannot yet attend school until they have proper documentation, which they have also been waiting to obtain, and now can’t afford.
We are hoping to raise $21,000 to help John, Ermalin and their children pay rent and pay for living costs until John can work again or until they can get social assistance (hopefully by March).
This is a breakdown of what they need:
$1750 December rent.
$9000 for rent ($3000/month for 8 people for January to March)
$1500 damage deposit
$7400 food ($1600/month)
$400 transit costs
$300 Christmas
$200 Go Fund Me charges
Total needed: $20,550
Thank you so very much for considering supporting this wonderful family during this giving time of year. We are so very grateful.
John made his way back into the film industry and was guaranteed work until the new year, but that ended abruptly last month with no news of when will be able to return.
In the meantime, John, his wife and his six kids are living in a 2 bedroom apartment with no savings to get them through the next few months.
John and Ermalin left Thailand because his industry shut down and as foreigners (John is Canadian, Irmalyn is Filipino) during a pandemic, they had very little opportunity to find income and no potential for assistance.
They considered going to Ermalin's hometown in the Philippines, but they could not get flights, again, because of the pandemic. She was also cautioned by her family that it was no longer a safe place to bring her family.
After selling everything they owned, John, his wife and their six sons hopped aboard a flight to Canada.
John was assured he would have government assistance once he landed and so, with the 600 dollars in his pocket as well as a month of rent money, he and his family headed toward a brighter future.
Or so they thought.
Little did he know the government closures created serious wait times for approval of social assistance. What would normally take just a few days to apply and get approval was now taking weeks and months due to the current climate and office closures.
John was offered a driving job which he had to turn down as he has been in the lengthy process of upgrading his license, since August.
Ermalin is not able to work and their 6 children cannot yet attend school until they have proper documentation, which they have also been waiting to obtain, and now can’t afford.
We are hoping to raise $21,000 to help John, Ermalin and their children pay rent and pay for living costs until John can work again or until they can get social assistance (hopefully by March).
This is a breakdown of what they need:
$1750 December rent.
$9000 for rent ($3000/month for 8 people for January to March)
$1500 damage deposit
$7400 food ($1600/month)
$400 transit costs
$300 Christmas
$200 Go Fund Me charges
Total needed: $20,550
Thank you so very much for considering supporting this wonderful family during this giving time of year. We are so very grateful.
Organisateur
Renee Pelletier
Organisateur
White Rock, BC