Manitoba

ICYMI: Syrian refugees in Manitoba most concerned about language, housing, jobs

CBC Manitoba has been exploring some of the issues facing Syrian refugees coming to the province. It's expected 2,000 Syrian refugees will call Manitoba home by the end of 2016. Here's a look at some of the stories we did over the past week.
Duaa Al Meslamani, 7, is one of more than 900 Syrian refugees who recently arrived in Manitoba. (Margaux Watt/CBC)

CBC Manitoba has been exploring some of the issues facing Syrian refugees coming to the province.

More than 900 refugees have arrived since late last year.

It's expected 2,000 Syrian refugees will call Manitoba home by the end of 2016.

As part of our coverage, CBC spent time with the Al Meslamani family as they started their lives over in Winnipeg.

To cope with the large number of Syrian refugees, Welcome Place, which provides temporary housing to government-assisted refugees, has expanded.

It's one of the biggest challenges facing newcomers: finding a permanent place to live.

A few suitcases hold all the personal belongings one Syrian refugee family could bring with them to Canada. (Margaux Watt/CBC)

Many people are stepping up in the community to help Syrian refugees feel at home. One example is a new soccer program.

Manitoba Start expects to see many of the newly arrived Syrian refugees over the next six months to three years, as they access employment-related services. The agency offers on-the-job classroom training, to support newcomers with their English language and literacy skills.