Syrian refugee family coming to Corner Brook in January

Corner Brook is on track to welcome a Syrian refugee family of four by early January, thanks to the efforts of a volunteer committee in the city.

"It's sinking in and we're very excited," Ivan Emke, a member of the Syrian Refugee Support Group, told The Corner Brook Morning Show.

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When the group first formed in mid-fall, it estimated the family's arrival would be six months away, but Emke said the committee's applicationhasbeen acceleratedbythe federal government.

"We've been working with the Association ForNew Canadians in St. John's, who has already had a number of applications in, and it just made sense that this be one of those," said Emke.

Starting from nothing

Emkesaid the family a mother, fatherand two elementary school-aged children isliving in Lebanon.

"They're right now in a refugee camp. They have no family in Canada whatsoever, so they're coming here sortof without knowledge of the country," said Emke.

He added their hometown in Syria is a rural one, smaller than Corner Brook.

"It's a community where there has been a lot of war and strife ...it looks like any of the pictures you'd see on the television, with many buildings that have been destroyed."

Emke said the biggest challenge will be the language barrier, but an English as a Second Language coordinator is available through the school system for the children.

Donations flooding in

Emke's group has a goal of raising about $30,000 to get the family settled in Corner Brook.

So far, he said, the volunteer committee has been overwhelmed by local support its even receivedjob offers for the parents coming in.

"Basically, we try to keep abreastor slightly ahead of all of the people who keep coming to us with ideas for new ways to help them," said Emke.

Emkesaidit's important, however, to let the family get their bearings once they arrive.

"One thing we're worried about is the supportthat will sort of overwhelm themwith these hundreds of people who want to have them over for dinner right away."

"And they're at a moment in their life when they need to be able to have some calm, some reflection, some resetting of their life."

Emke said the group will continue to meet regularlyand is accepting donations through the Association For New Canadians.

The group's next public meeting is on Dec. 6 at St.John the Evangelist church.