Chatham-Kent’s first Syrian refugee family is settling into their new surroundings.
The Alhajjeh family got a warm welcome from municipal officials at Monday’s council meeting.
With the introduction of the Community Partnership Settlement Plan, the municipality is looking to see how it can better help newcomers to the municipality. That’s according to Audrey Ansell who is the Manager of Community Attraction and Promotion.
In this particular Syrian refugee crisis there’s certainly an opportunity for us here to welcome family groups to our community,” says Ansell. ” To welcome and integrate them through the local immigration partnership so we have new residents growing up in our community.”
By Chatham-Kent’s estimates, as many as 70 people or 11 families could potentially settle comfortably in the municipality.