Three Dauphin churches have banded together in an effort to bring refugee families over from Syria.
The families would be coming to live in Dauphin.
One of the coordinating group members Ron Marlin says it's the right thing that needs to be done.
"I think we've all agreed, at least on the coordinating committee, you know, we can take a look at our own personal situation and those of our friends and acquaintances, and we are a heck of a lot (more) well off compared to people who are in such a desperate situation that they are willing to risk their lives in order to find a better life for themselves and their families."
Marlin says the application process hasn't started yet, and the churches want to make sure there is a firm financial foundation and community support.
The First Baptist, First United, and St. Viator's churches are involved. Each one plans to sponsor a family, with a fourth family possible if the finances are available.
The churches will be applying to sponsor families under the Blended Visa Office Referred program; refugees under that program have already met eligibility and admissibility criteria, and it is cost-shared by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Sponsorship Agreement Holders.
Marlin says sponsors have to take care of the families for a year.
"They're going to be showing up with some clothes on their back and, you know, whatever they could likely carry in a backpack. And the sponsor is obligated to find accomodation, depending on their skill set to try to find them employment, if they have some initial skills but need additional training the sponsor has to get out and do that. We also have to basically equip their accomodation."
Marlin says it's about an 18 month commitment after the families arrive.
He says they're hoping the churches will basically be the administrative unit that processes the paperwork, and that's all. Anyone who makes a donation to one of the churches marked for the refugee initiative, they will receive a tax deductible receipt.
A community informational meeting is being planned, and Marlin says they hope it will be done in the next couple weeks.
