FAQ

AFRA is a charity registered in Canada, which means it has been granted status as a non-profit organization under Canadian laws and regulations. The process of registering as a charity involves demonstrating to the Canada Revenue Agency that AFRA meets certain criteria, such as having a charitable purpose, being organized and operated for the benefit of the public, and using its resources to achieve its mission. The purpose of registering as a charity is to provide AFRA with the legal and tax benefits that come with this status, and to help ensure that it operates in a transparent and accountable manner. AFRA was founded as a not-for-profit organization in 2019 by a team of experienced volunteers from Calgary, AB with a passion for community service and fundraising. AFRA was established to pursue focused charitable projects with a defined timeline and the possibility of partnerships with like-minded organizations.

The families receive assistance in the form of credit, gift or membership cards that can be used at specific stores, rather than cash. The agent institution is responsible for allocating the funds onto the credit, gift or membership cards on a monthly basis, as determined by AFRA's guidelines and criteria. This approach helps to ensure that the aid provided is used effectively and responsibly by the families, and that the resources are used in a way that truly benefits those in need.

The duration of our assistance to underprivileged families depends on the individual needs and circumstances of each family. Our aim is to provide support to help families become financially self-sufficient and reach a point where they can support themselves without aid. However, in some cases, where a family member has a long-term disability, we will continue to provide assistance on a case-by-case basis.

The identification and evaluation of underprivileged families is conducted by a designated agent institution. For further information, please see the section on "How does AFRA conduct activities outside of Canada?” The identification and evaluation process of underprivileged families consists of several steps, including: Step 1: Identification: · Direct outreach from the families. · Referrals from other agencies/NGOs or families under the institution's support. Step 2: Evaluation: · Document check: Intensive documentation review to verify the underprivileged condition. · Site visit: Unexpected visits by trained volunteers to examine the actual situation of the families. These visits include interviews with family members, neighbors, and school staff, and a visual assessment of living conditions. Trained volunteers are chosen from those familiar with the city/neighborhood and are aware of average living conditions, helping to minimize bias in their reports.

No! The AFRA Charity Foundation is established solely for charitable purposes. It is dedicated to alleviating poverty by providing essentials such as food, clean water, clothing, medical and dental care, and housing to financially challenged women and children. Furthermore, the organization works to empower underprivileged families by providing training, support, and resources to help them start their own small businesses, acquire education and skills, and become financially self-sufficient.

Our training services aim to help underprivileged families become financially independent. The services are provided by educational services companies that specialize in entrepreneurship and micro-business development in underserved areas, and are conducted in partnership with our agent institution. The participants are usually groups of 10 to 15 single mothers who participate in workshops that cover life skills, self-identification, idea creation, business models, micro-financing, networking, marketing, and sales. Workshops are held both in-person and online. The educational services company also helps participants find financing options for their business models, such as low-interest loans, and provides long-term support and consultation. Additionally, AFRA may provide financial aid for children's education, such as tutoring, summer school, or English proficiency courses, based on their educational progress.

AFRA Charity Foundation conducts regular evaluations and assessments of its programs and activities to assess their effectiveness in achieving its goals and objectives. Based on the feedback received, AFRA then makes necessary adjustments to its strategies and approaches to ensure that it continues to provide the best possible support to the families it serves. The aim of AFRA is to continuously improve the quality of its services and maximize the impact it has on the communities it serves. AFRA believes that through a combination of effective planning, diligent monitoring, and regular evaluations, it can achieve its goal of alleviating poverty and empowering underprivileged families.

AFRA is derived from the Farsi word for "maple tree," which symbolizes strength and endurance and is an emblem of Canada. The name represents the charity's goal of helping single mothers and their children establish strong foundations and become resilient families, similar to the deep roots of a maple tree. AFRA is also an abbreviation for: A - Aid for families in need F - Funding education and basic necessities R - Rebuilding communities and improving lives A - Advocating for equal opportunities and dignity

The agent institution serves as a facilitator in providing medical services to families in need. They help in linking families with certified medical specialists like doctors, dentists, and surgeons. The medical services provided to families primarily include screenings and preventative care, such as nutrition screening, hearing and visual assessments, personal hygiene education, and sanitary practices training. The agent institution works towards securing discounted rates and covers the costs of medication and procedures while ensuring that families receive medical care in trusted medical clinics, public hospitals, and private hospitals.

The relationship between AFRA and the agent institution is a standard agency relationship, where one party acts on behalf of the other. AFRA's goal is to alleviate poverty by providing basic necessities of life. Before selecting the agent, AFRA conducted investigations and evaluations to ensure their capability in delivering the necessary charitable services. This involved speaking with potential agents, working with members who visited eligible families and programs, and meeting with the agent's Board of Directors, volunteers, and beneficiaries to understand their definition of poverty. A structured arrangement and written agency agreement was developed to outline the agent's responsibilities and provide ongoing direction and control over the use of resources. The agreement was based on a master agreement commonly used by Canadian charities in similar situations and was presented to the agent for execution.

The AFRA Charity Foundation values transparency and keeps its donors updated on its progress. However, the privacy and dignity of the families receiving assistance are a top priority and as such, their real names, photos, or identities will not be publicly disclosed.

The intended beneficiaries of the AFRA Charity Foundation's assistance are underprivileged families, primarily single mothers and their children. A family is considered underprivileged if it is a single-parent household with at least one child under the age of 16 and is recognized as low income.

AFRA has partnered with a prominent organization to carry out their charitable activities. This organization has been providing support to single-parent families with children under 16 and operates in underprivileged areas for over 15 years. It is important to note that this organization is non-religious and non-political. The details of this partnership and the agent institution have been fully disclosed and approved by the Canada Revenue Agency.