Coquitlam's Syrian refugees have found permanent shelter but are struggling with the English language as they adapt to new routines, says a director of a local agency providing funding and support to the newcomers.
Kim Winchell, director of investment for the United Way of Lower Mainland, said a community lunch on Saturday drew 100 government-sponsored Syrian refugees, who dined on traditional foods and connected with local agencies while their children did crafts, got their faces painted and played on a bouncy castle.
"They are getting accustomed to life in Canada, things we take for granted, such as transit and grocery shopping," said Winchell, who said she visited with a number of families at the event, held at Mountain View elementary school in Coquitlam.
One of the most popular activities was the bouncy castle, she said, and the children patiently lined up to take their turn.
The Tri-Cities is home to approximately 15% of the government-sponsored refugees who have arrived in Canada since January, prompting the United Way to host the lunch in Coquitlam at the same time it was holding similar events in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey.
Winchell said the United Way wanted to make the new residents feel welcome and connect them with local services.
"The event was a happy, welcoming event," she told The Tri-City News, noting that a common theme among families was their appreciation of Coquitlam generosity.
In addition to the families and social service agencies, approximately 80 volunteers came to help out at the lunch.
Winchell said helping Syrian refugees is a top priority for the United Way, which is putting $2.8 million into programs serving newcomers in the Lower Mainland. In the Tri-Cities, the charity contributes to a drop-in program for families called the Early Years Refugee program, the Schools and Families Together program (run by Share Family and Community Services), and the Immigrant Services Society's Reaching for Success program, with Mountain View being the main hub because most of the refugees live in the school's catchment area.
Winchell said the United Way is also working with School District 43 to establish a summer school program for the refugee children up to age 12.
"We will definitely keep a pulse on all four communities and see what else we can do to step up," she added.
Recently, the United Way made a fundraising appeal, United for Refugees, with $175,000 being raised to date. To make a donation, visit www.uwlm.ca/refugees.
