Nearly 200 New Westminster residents came together Sunday ready to welcome Syrian refugees into their community.
The outcome a surprise considering the town hall in New Westminster was only organized two days ago.
“We are a strong community,” said resident Christina Monkman holding her newborn. “I’m hoping to raise my son to be socially conscious.”
READ MORE: 2,000 Syrian refugees coming to B.C. by February
New Westminster is already providing a warm welcome, accepting 52 privately sponsored refugees (PSRs) in the next couple weeks – a number only matched by Vancouver in British Columbia. Burnaby, Coquitlam and Victoria round out the top 5 receiving communities.
Get breaking National news
This is only half the picture, with 200 government assisted refugees (GARs) also expected to arrive by year’s end. Representatives for the Immigrant Services Society of BC say historically most GARS have been placed in Surrey and Coquitlam, but available housing will be the determining factor.
READ MORE: Syrian refugees: How you can help
So local groups and residents came together to see where help was needed.
“I just think it’s making sure everyone is on the same page,” said Peter Julian, MP for New Westminster, who helped organize the town hall.
“As folks ask us in the community how we can help, we’re better able to direct them to the organizations that could use their gifts of time or assistance.”
Another reason for the town hall is to identify the gaps in services and call on governments to help.
“We can advocate with the provincial and the federal governments on what they need to do to make sure those gaps are filled,” said Judy Darcy, MLA for New Westminster.
The need will increase dramatically over time. 400 Syrian refugees will be arriving in B.C. by December 31 and another 1,500 will be come through January and February 2016.
Comments