1st WINTER – A NEWCOMER FAMILY UPDATE

Last March 2017, the Danforth Jewish Circle welcomed the Syrian family of seven we are sponsoring when they arrived at Toronto Pearson International Airport with their suitcases and five kids ranging in age from 1 1/2 to 12. Since then there have been many “firsts” and lots of new learning and great experiences – both for the family and our team of DJC volunteers who have been helping.

That has encompassed a variety of things including: booking and accompanying family members to doctor’s and dental appointments; setting up ESL and job training; getting the kids enrolled in their new schools, summer camp and fall recreation programs; and even connecting the whole family with a special month-long camp for Syrian refugees this past summer. It’s been hectic, surprising, sometimes challenging and also very rewarding. “Google Translate” has been put to the test!

Kathy Glazier, the Project Lead for this endeavour, provides this update on what has been happening since the Fall and into the first winter for the family. We have been fortunate to have a core group of over 10 very dedicated members of the Social Justice Committee who have been acting as leads for various functions, volunteering a considerable amount of their time on an ongoing basis as part of our settlement support for the family. Other committee members and community volunteers have also contributed in significant ways.

Special thanks to Liat Ross and Margot Dawson, who generously agreed to cover for Kathy and Sharron, co-coordinators of our settlement team, while they are away on their winter vacations.

The family’s first winter here has been a big adjustment, especially as it has been so very cold. Salah and Aleefa both take buses to their programs and two of the boys walk to school, so they have been quite exposed to the Canadian winter. Mohammednour is looking forward to his first experience skating with his school.

Job training

• The Dad — Salah — completed an ESL and food handling course at Catholic Cross-cultural Services (CCS) and recently obtained his Food Handler Certificate. He’s now interested in taking a more intensive program for newcomers at CultureLink to learn more culinary and hospitality skills. This program includes a full-time 16-week work placement, part of which is paid. Salah is now working to upgrade his English in order to become eligible for this program. He is also looking for part-time restaurant work.
• The Mom — Aleefa — took the same CCS course and has completed her volunteer placement. She graduated from the program on February 1st and will continue with half-time ESL classes to allow her enough time for her household chores. Aleefa wrote her food handler exam in January and may do some catering from home.

• Betty Sharpe and Donna Koffman are retired teachers who have been volunteering with the children in separate weekly sessions to provide extra math and ESL support respectively.
• Aleefa attended parent-teacher meetings in the Fall with support from Diana Chastain and interpreter Rania Emara.
• Shahid (the eleven year-old girl) and Mohammednour (the ten-year old boy) are both attending LEAP programs that help newcomer children catch up to the regular curriculum. Transportation to their different schools is provided by the school board. It’s exciting to see their eagerness to learn and how much they enjoy school.
• All members of the family are becoming much more competent in English and are keen to continue learning.
• Liat and Diana have been communicating with the staff at the four different schools the children attend, facilitating communication between staff and parents, tracking the children’s progress and enlisting extra help where needed.