United Way Launches Urgent Fundraising Appeal to Help Syrian Refugees

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Nov. 24, 2015) - Between 2,500 and 3,000 Syrian refugees will arrive in the Lower Mainland in coming weeks. Forty percent of these new arrivals will be children under 18 and will require settlement and community integration support as they adjust to their new life in Canada.

United Way of the Lower Mainland (UWLM) is today launching an urgent community fundraising appeal to raise $500,000 to help these children and families settle here in our community. This appeal is critical to the success of the five-phase plan announced today by the Canadian Government.

"We join all British Columbians in welcoming Syrian children and families to the place we are so proud to call home," said Michael McKnight, President & CEO of United Way of the Lower Mainland. "Together, we can help them begin the next chapter of their lives in Canada, become accustomed to a new language and culture, and ensure the most vulnerable among them, the children, get the best start possible."

United Way of the Lower Mainland has a long history of helping refugee families settle and integrate into life in the Lower Mainland. In 2015, UWLM invested $2.5 million into programs and services for refugee and immigrant families in the Lower Mainland including the Early Years Refugee Program, which provides support for refugee children and their families in Burnaby, Langley, Richmond, Surrey, Tri-Cities and Vancouver; after-school programs like Burnaby Family Life's African children's homework club; and organizations like the Immigrant Services Society of BC, the main service provider to all government assisted refugees destined for BC.

Because of UWLM's expertise, we are one of only three United Ways in North America that has been asked to help United Way Worldwide develop refugee landing and integration programs.

To make a donation, go to www.uwlm.ca/refugees.