The federal government’s pledge to accept 25,000 refugees to Canada has prompted a group of residents to try to help.
On Thursday, Nov. 26, nine people met at the Barrhead United Church to see what they could do at a local level to help sponsor a Syrian or multiple Syrian refugee families.
Rita Lyster, a local businessperson, called the group together because, although her church had spoken about what they could do to help Syrians who are fleeing their country due to a civil war, they had not come up with an action plan.
“So I decided to find out what other people are doing in the community to try to sponsor refugees,” she said, adding after talking with individuals from other churches and organizations she decided it would be beneficial to see if she could gather all the individuals who are either involved in or are interested in the issue together.
Barrhead resident, Ralph Helder, said one of the reasons why he is interested in trying to help a Syrian refugee family come to Canada is to give them the same opportunity that someone else gave his family.
“Sixty-four years ago, my family was sponsored by a farmer to immigrate to this country and while we weren’t in exactly the same situation, that farmer gave my family a chance at a better life,” he said, adding while he understands some of the fear people are experiencing, in large part due to the recent Paris attacks, by the terrorist group ISIS.
Helder added it was that same type of fear that caused the Cuba and Canadian government to turn away a boat of Jewish refugees in 1939. The majority of those refugees ended up in Nazi concentration camps.
“I am hoping we might be able to alleviate some of those fears by how the government is processing the refugees, so that we can do something positive for the families who have absolutely nothing.”
Lyster agreed, adding by bringing in Syrian refugees to Canada and accepting them as part of the community, it helps lower the chances of terrorism.
“When you bring someone here and stand shoulder to shoulder with them you make it very awkward for them to blow you up,” she said. “We have to trust the system and the screening and then trust ourselves. We might be the ones that help them change their minds, by showing them empathy, understanding and by demonstrating God’s love.”
Mark Myrehaug said was pleased to see there is a group of similar minded citizens in the community.
Over the years he said, he has been involved in helping refugees make Canada and the Barrhead area their home, including two Syrian families who he hopes to be able to bring to Canada.
Lyster said in her preliminary research there is a number of ways individuals or groups can help sponsor refugees.
“The way to have the most success is to affiliate or join forces with an already existing group,” she said, adding one of the more active organizations is the Mennonite Central Committee. Other groups Lyster found who are active in this area are Catholic Social Services as well as an organization headed by the Anglican Church.
In her preliminary discussions with the Mennonite Central Committee, Lyster found out that in order to sponsor a refugee family of four or five people it is going to cost about $30,000.
“You need to sign on to help them for 12 months and you are helping them towards becoming independent. You are going to do with them not for them,” Lyster said, giving the example of showing them how to pay their bills, arrange housing and helping them find work.
Myrehaug said although the $30,000 figure can be daunting, there are ways to potentially lower that figure, working within the rules.
“For example maybe we could find a person willing to donate a residence for a family to live in, and that would help us cut down the costs dramatically,” he said. “I really think this is doable. All you have to do is think creatively to find solutions to problems.”
Helder agreed with Myrehaug, adding this is a chance for the entire community to get involved.
“I just had breakfast with a former colleague this morning who said he would be really interested in participating in helping with English as a second language instruction,” he said. “This is a an opportunity as community to show our benevolence, regardless of what our religious faiths and backgrounds are. As things go forward there will be ways to expand this to include all community members.”
The group decided to meet again on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the Barrhead United Church at 7 p.m. At that time the group hopes to be able to bring more information about what is the next step of the process of sponsoring a Syrian refugee family. Everyone is welcome to attend.
