A local organization is looking to set processes in motion which would allow a Syrian refugee family to make the Bow Valley its home.
While the Syrian refugee crisis garnered plenty of attention during the October federal election, the Mountain Munchkin Daycare board of directors had identified the situation two months prior.
The Syrian situation, said daycare owner Peter Rawlek, made the board, “more grateful each day for the blessing of our Canadian citizenship and the warmth of the community we feel in the Bow Valley.”
After some investigation, the daycare board decided to look into what is necessary to bring a Syrian refugee family to the valley. The group has approached both Banff and Canmore mayors, members of the business community, the United Church and Rotary, Lafarge and property management groups like Peka and Asset West to gauge support.
“We’re working on the logistics to get clearance for at least one family to come into the valley,” said Rawlek.
“We’re doing this from a grassroots perspective and we need the community involved to have an organic base of support.”
Up next for the daycare group is to host a meeting for anyone interested in helping on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. at Mountain Munchkin Daycare (20 Grotto Road, Canmore).
“Anyone who feels the vitality of this project is invited,” said Rawlek. “We’re trying to create more exposure for the project because as a board we’re looking to invest in society-based opportunities. A lot of people understand the concept.”
Rawlek said December has been identified as a month for getting a family into the valley. “It would be a good segue for future opportunities, too,” said Rawlek. “We’d like to look beyond our community and try to create greater advantages in other communities in Alberta.”
In hosting an information meeting, he said, “at least Canmorites will have a chance to sit down and discuss this. If people have the initiative, we’ll work on the structural aspects.”
According to Rawlek, sponsorship of refugees is a tall order. Support must be committed for a 12-month period, or until a family is self-sufficient, and would include enrolling kids in schools and helping in a search for employment.
To initialize the project, Mountain Munchkin has pledged at least $5,000 as an inititial contribution, along with 12 months of childcare ($24,000 value).
What is needed by the group are community partners, individuals or organizations willing to assist in the application process and pre- and post-arrival details; financial support and resources including a living situation, clothes and household goods, etc.
For more information, email [email protected] or attend the Nov. 18 meeting. The group plans to have a progess report ready by Dec. 10 in respect to a plan, finances, employment, etc.
