West Island Refugee Network is one call away
The Summerlea Refugee Support Coalition has also led to a second committee, the West Island Refugee Network, that seeks to facilitate resources for refugee families in need.
“Back in September we were all riveted by the images of people fleeing Syria,” said Sheila Laursen, a member of both the Summerlea Refugee Support Coalition and brains behind the West Island Refugee Network.
She was particularly moved by an image of a father stuffing his child through a packed train window. “I thought, ‘I can’t imagine being so frantic.’ These courageous people were risking their lives to make a better life for their children,” said Laursen.
The first meeting that Laursen called drew nine people. Now, that number has grown to over 25.
The network moves quickly in order to get whatever is needed for refugee families. Working with the Association Musulmane Turque De Montréal, known to most as the Dorval Mosque, the group of West Islanders has managed to reach out to their network in times of need. They store some donations at the mosque, and have looked to the mosque’s president, Mehmet Deger, for advice on sponsorship.