More than 800 Syrian refugees will be resettled in London by the end of February.
The Cross Cultural Learner Centre (CCLC), the agency handling refugee resettlement in the city, has been told by federal officials to expect 12 per cent of the 6,750 Syrian refugees destined for Ontario. That works out to roughly 810 refugees who will call London home.
"It's amazing to see the light in the eyes of the families, of the children arriving," says Valerian Marochko, executive director of the CCLC. "Sixty per cent of those who arrive are children."
By the end of December, London welcomed approximately 100 government-sponsored Syrian refugees to the city. That number will grow by the end of the week with two more families, totalling ten people, set to arrive.
Once in the city, refugees undergo a ten day orientation about life in Canada. They learn about employment, education, and health services before settlement workers place refugees into apartments.
"We have four or five families ready to move into their own apartment, says Marochko. "We have a few apartments waiting. We have to do applications to the landlord and they have to be approved. Then we get them a cheque or money order. It's a process."
There are 32 refugees staying at the CCLC's reception centre, Jeremiah House, and another 68 staying at a nearby hotel.
The Thames Valley District School Board opened the GENTLE (Guided Entry to New Teaching and Learning Experiences) Family Reception Centre at White Oaks Public School for refugees on Monday.
Staff at the learning centre will conduct assessments for literacy, math and language skills, as well as provide an orientation to the Thames Valley classroom experience.
Marochko says the outpouring of support from the community has been a blessing.
"Lots of people have registered to volunteer. We have been receiving donations and the LondonUnitedForRefugees.ca website has been productive in receiving donations," says Marochko. "The United Way of London Middlesex and other charities are doing a good job fundraising for refugees."