Submitted by:
Mike Yablonski |

The Inaugural Meeting of the Swan Valley Refugee Committee was held on January 13, 2016. Mike Yablonski, Lorne Henkelman, Lesley Henkelman, Steve Black, Gillian McGrath, MaryAnn Friesen, Jenny Sprong, and Flo Fried attended.
Illustration: generic photo of Syrian Refugees.

Reports were given by Jenny, Mike and MaryAnn on 3 different organizations that are sponsoring refugees in Yorkton and Dauphin.

Officers for the committee will be: Chairperson: Jenny Sprong, Secretary: MaryAnn Friesen, Treasurer: Gillian McGrath and Publicity: Mike Yablonski.

The Swan Valley Refugee Fund account will be opened at the SV Credit Union and will soon be accepting donations. The group will be developing a network of organizations that will accept flow through donations for our committee allowing for tax receipts to be issued by the participating organizations.

The committee decided to work with the Mennonite Central Committee as they have years of experience in refugee ministry. At this stage the group is aiming to welcome three refugee families into the Swan River Valley. Although the costs differ with the size of each refugee family, we are looking at raising approximately $60,0000.

The group is very excited with this undertaking and are confident that the people of the Swan Valley will rally around this initiative and participate in a wonderful experience of social justice and Canadian citizenship.

For more information, please call Jenny Sprong, Chairperson of the SV Refugee Committee at (204)734-3248.