The Moose Jaw Multicultural Council (MJMC) is looking for supplies and a few strong backs to help move those items as it prepares to welcome new refugees to the community.
The organization was recently informed that it would receive about six new families or individuals, including refugees from Africa, Syria, and other Middle Eastern nations, said Kaleigh Pousett, community connections co-ordinator. Two individuals were expected to arrive on July 22, while a third family was expected to arrive on July 26.
“So, it’s … a steady stream for the rest of the summer and into the fall,” she remarked.
The federal government normally tells the MJMC about two weeks in advance before families come, but sometimes they can be delayed, or plans fall through, which means the arrivals are postponed, she continued. Since situations can change daily, the organization needs to be as prepared as possible.
Although Pousett is not a settlement worker, she knows from past experiences that there is a flurry of activity when families or individuals arrive. This includes looking for furniture, kitchen supplies and other household items, and then picking people up from the airport, transporting them to their new homes or helping them find accommodations.
“Something I’ve really seen is a lack of help with moving them in, so I’m hoping to get together some moving teams,” she said. “So, maybe one mover who has a truck and then a few people who can lift heavy things so I can have some teams on call and ready for when we need to move a family … . It goes a lot faster when we have help from the community.”
Some housing supplies the MJMC needs from the community to help the families and individuals include furniture, electronics, linens, kitchenware, and miscellaneous items such as laundry baskets, shower curtains and ironing boards.
Anyone who wants to donate items or volunteer should contact Pousett first at 306-693-4677.
While the way new families and individuals are welcomed can vary because of cultures, one of the most important things is hospitality, including smiling, waving and saying hello, Pousett said. While some residents can be uncomfortable around newcomers since they don’t know what to say, being generous is sometimes all that’s necessary.
“I think welcome and being friendly toward newcomers and people that you recognize are new to the community can go really far,” she added. “A lot of our clients have mentioned that to me.”
It’s an honour to help these new individuals when they arrive, Pousett said. She thought it was difficult to express what it’s like to help people coming from hostile environments. However, these people are grateful for the help they receive, from housing to registering their kids in school.
“If no one’s helping them resettle, they’re not going to adjust to life in a new country (or the community). We have people coming from really violent scenarios and from war and other devastating things in their home countries … ,” she continued.
“We have a lot of talented people with lots of skills that they can be active community members too, but they need people to help them understand what Canadian culture is and what it is to live in Canadian society.”
