Kenora, Ont. eager to welcome refugees

A group of volunteers in Kenora, in northwestern Ontario, have started a fundraising campaign to bring a group of refugees to the city.

When the image of a young Syrian boy who drowned brought the refugee crisis to the forefront earlier this year, people in Kenora felt compelled to act, said Meg Illman-White, a minister at Knox United Church, and a member of the Kenora Refugee Support Partnership.  

The group needs to raise at least $40,000 in order to sponsor a group of refugees, said Illman-White, and so far the community response to the campaign has been "awesome." 

"It is so inspiring," she said. 

"We only started receiving money last week, and we now have $11,000 dollars."

Illman-White said the group is hoping to sponsor two families, or a family and a number of single people. The refugees could be from Syria, or another country.

Committee members are working on plans to support the refugees when they arrive, including a plan for housing, she said. 

She said she hopes the refugees will arrive in Kenora in the spring. 

To hear Meg Illman-White's full interview with Superior Morning host Lisa Laco, tap on the audio icon.