Manitoba churches come together to sponsor refugees

Churches of different denominations are coming together to bring three refugee families to Selkirk, Man.

Twenty-five churches from the Red River Corridor have come together to form the Red River Churches Refugee Team.

"It started because we had learned that three churches in Dauphin were sponsoring three families and some of us thought 'if Dauphin can do it, so can we,'" Don Forfar, chairman of the team, said with a laugh. At first, the group was focused on Syrian refugees, but they will takeany refugee family wanting a new start in Canada.

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The conversation spread and more churches became involved. Forfar said it's been encouraging to see the collaboration for the worthy cause.

"What's really awesome is to be sitting, sharing a meeting, with folks from all these different churches, all these different denominations, all working together and they are great people, they really are," he said.

The group's goal is to raise $100,000 and bring three refugee families to their area. Forfar said they understand the work won't stop there.

"We have always thought that raising the money was going to be the easier part," he said, adding they are creating volunteer groups to help upon arrival.

"They will need a lot of support starting with a lot of drivers, these people will absolutely have to be driven to everything."

He said they are looking at bringing in more families but right now the focus is these three.

The group is hosting a dinner and live musicon June 11 to raise money to bring three refugee families to Selkirk.