Those supporting a refugee family - or looking to in the near future - are now better informed on the Private Sponsorship of Refugees program.
About 37 people showed up for an information session at the Retro Suites Hotel in Chatham Tuesday night to hear a presentation by Alexandra Kotyk, senior policy/program analyst for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Kotyk went over the commitments a private sponsorship entails and the issues that may arise.
During the presentation, Kotyk stated that sponsors should lower their expectations because there will be some problems in the first year upon arrival, but the key is to communicate.
Alexandra Kotyk speaking at the Retro Suits. December 6, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)
She says the overall goal is for refugees to become self sufficient after one year of living in Canada.
During the question period a few concerns were raised about helping families adjust and creating the right type of relationship between a sponsor and a refugee.
One attendee, Hassan Elkhodr says he has been able to form a close relationship with the family he helps support.
Elkhodr is part of the Chatham-Kent Muslim Association (CKMA), which sponsors a family of nine and is looking to sponsor another family of four in the near future.
"I've been watching all the news [with] what's coming from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and I think they all need the help," says Elkhodr. "Those on this side who can help - I think it would [mean] a great deal."
Elkhodr says the family of nine the CKMA already sponsors has been in Canada for about a month, and so far the experience has been very good.
"We don't deal with them [as] a sponsorship only, we deal with them as a friend," says Elkhodr adding the close bond has a lot to do with their shared religion.
In terms of cultural barriers, Elkhodr says they are working with the family to help them integrate into the community.