Warm welcome: 2nd family of Syrian refugees arrives in Whitehorse

Several Yukoners, including some members of the first family of Syrian refugees that arrived earlier this year, gathered at the Whitehorse airport Thursday night to welcome a second family of Syrian refugees. 

The family of five spent years in a Turkish refugee camp. They were sponsored by a committee of Riverdale Baptist Church.

Hillary Gladish, who speaks for the Riverdale Baptist church committee, said Thursday there was "definitely a buzz" around the imminent arrival, with last-minute grocery shopping and wrapping of a welcome gift.

"[We're] hoping they will have a seamless and positive experience entering their new community."

Priorities include getting the three pre-teenage children registered for school, Gladish said, noting a handful of translators have offered to help as the family speaks Turkish and Arabic.  

The church group is required to look after the family's financial needs for at least their first year in Whitehorse.

The family will move into a centrally located home in the city, close to shopping and the Canada Games Centre.