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HMC hits the ground running to help Syrian refugees by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 9 | Thursday, December 3, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Halton's Multicultural Council (HMC) will host a community meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 9 to educate residents on what they can do to sponsor refugees. It takes place at 7 p.m. at 1092 Speers Rd. "We're going to have a sponsorship meeting so this gives all people interested in sponsorship, or currently sponsoring families, a chance to get together and talk about what the process is, what some of the sponsoring groups have experienced so far, what are some of the barriers and what you have to think about when you are planning and preparing," said Kim Jenkinson, HMC executive director. Jenkinson said there is considerable interest in the community about what is happening with refugees in Halton as HMC is receiving plenty of calls about the subject. On Nov. 25, the HMC held a discussion night for local Syrian and Iraqi families, which was attended by approximately 50 residents. Jenkinson said many of those attending expressed concern for their own family members, who are not in refugee camps, and wondered how they could sponsor them to come to Canada. Many of these family members are still living in Syria as the very old and very young have been unable to leave their homes. "People at the meeting reported experiencing Kim Jenkinson a constant fear for the safety of their family members that are currently abroad," said Jenkinson in a statement issued by HMC. "One elderly couple was desperately worried for their daughter and granddaughter. Their daughter is a doctor and is still living in Syria. "She was running a medical clinic until threats and harassment from the military forces became too frightening. "Their granddaughter was studying medicine and has had to discontinue her education as a result of safety concerns. Both spend their days at home now with unreliable electricity, little access to food and the constant threat from military groups." Jenkinson said the purpose of the meeting was to try to connect people, who want to bring their families to safety in Canada, with sponsoring groups. She said HMC also wanted to consult with these residents to determine what they thought was most important to support Syrian families early on. "I think refugees would feel better if they feel some sense of community, and that was the first meeting of that kind to try to build that group into one of the supports for the people coming into Halton," said Jenkinson. "If that group becomes a cohesive volunteer base, then we've got volunteers to do translation or just volunteer in a purely social way, like inviting (refugees) over to dinner sometimes... make them feel at home and at comfort and in their own language and in their own culture." Not all the discussion was about bringing Syrian refugees to Canada. Some at the meeting questioned why Syrian refugees were being given priority over other long-suffering refugee groups such as Iraqis, Palestinians and refugees from African nations like Burundi. Jenkinson noted Islamic State (ISIS) is also ravaging Iraq and creating scores of refugees in the process. She said some are asking why Iraqis are not being prioritized for settlement in Canada as are Syrians. "There are other conflicted areas of the world and they are saying, `Why Syria?,'" said Jenkinson, adding, "I think that's a valid question." She said Canada is doing a great thing by bringing 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada, but noted there are 54 million refugees worldwide and called on the federal government's commitment to refugees to continue annually. Jenkinson is also drawing attention to a coming address Governor General David Johnston will make at the Oakville Conference Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Rd., on Dec. 15. The event, which is being hosted by the Oakville Chamber of Commerce and the Oakville Community Foundation, is called "Welcoming Syrian Refugees: A Community Effort." The presentation begins at 5:30 p.m. with registration and reception. Dinner and Johnston's speech begins at 7 p.m. The cost of entry is $75 per person. Anyone who wishes to attend must register at www.oakvillechamber.com. The HMC supports refugee families with settlement services and works with people who have already arrived in Canada. HMC can take donations that will help support refugees in Halton with living expenses and household items. For more information, visit www. hmcconnections.com. COMING MING SOO ON! OpeningDate:December1 ember11,2015 Dr.Bhandari is pleased to o announce his return to Oakville in a new w stat state-of-the-art eniently in the dental facility located conveniently Palermo Professional C essional Centre. As a leading advocate e of oral health with 31 years of experience, Dr.. 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