UPDATE!: Welcoming Syrian People to Lethbridge Steering Committee

December 2, 2015

PRESS RELEASE
Date:  December 2nd, 2015
To: Media Outlets and Partners
From: Melody Garner, Lethbridge Family Services
 

 
Lethbridge – The Steering Committee to Welcome Syrian People to Lethbridge is a broad-based community initiative to prepare for the successful settlement of refugee families and individuals from Syria. The Steering Committee includes a broad range of local public sectors including immigration services, education, health, municipal services, social services, community agencies, private refugee sponsors, emergency services, and law enforcement.
 
Following is the latest information that the Steering Committee has received. Please note that this information may be subject to change.
 

• According to the most recent information we have, Lethbridge is expecting to receive an estimated total of 240 Government-sponsored Refugees from Syria by the end of 2016. Of this total, 125 are expected to arrive in Lethbridge by March 1, 2016.
• In addition, we are currently expecting a further 35-50 Privately-sponsored Refugees in Lethbridge
• The arrival date of the first of these refugees in Lethbridge is still unclear, but it appears it will likely be in early January 2016.
• At this point, indications are that Lethbridge will be receiving mainly refugees who have fled Syria and found refuge in Jordan. All refugees will have been subject to the five-stage Canadian screening process for refugees.
• To date, we are very grateful to have received approximately 70 offers of available homes suitable to house refugee families. It is important to note that community and social housing for people in Lethbridge living with low incomes is not being used for refugee resettlement. It is also anticipated that affordable housing required for Housing First is generally for individuals while the Syrian families will require larger dwellings.
• The Steering Committee is developing a Community Action Plan to ensure Syrian people are received and integrated into our community as smoothly as possible.

 
The Steering Committee is working in conjunction with Lethbridge Family Services -Immigrant Services on this initiative. Anyone wishing to offer support by volunteering, providing affordable housing or making donations for the Refugee Resettlement Fund is asked to visit http://lfsfamily.ca/immigrant_services/syria.php for information or contact the Immigrant Services team at (403) 320-1589 or email refugee.crisis@gmail.com. Additional information also available by clicking here.
  
Further updates will be issued periodically as more information becomes available.
  
For further information and media inquiries, please contact:
 
Sarah Amies – Program Director, Immigrant Services                                       
(403) 320-1589
SAmies@lfsfamily.ca
 
or
           
Nickolej Villiger – Coordinator, Education and Outreach, Immigrant Services   
(403) 320-1589
NVilliger@lfsfamily.ca
 
 

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