Alberta group to sponsor Syrian refugees, despite fears from some residents

A Strathmore, Alta.group trying to sponsor a Syrian refugee family have changed the name of their fundraising group to smooth over concerns from some community members.

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'Strathmore for Syria' is now called 'Hope for Syria,' says Shelby Dwyer, who launched the initiative a few weeks ago.

She says it was a Facebook post that prompted thegroup to re-name themselves.

"Somebody notified me that, whilethey thought the movement was very warm-hearted ... it may not necessarily speak for everyone in the community. I wouldn't want to misrepresent anyone else's desires," said Dwyer.

"There's a lot of fear about terrorism and how do we know they're not ISIS in disguise? And you know, I've had a few people in the community reach out to me with those fears."

Dwyer likens the situation to when Canada opened its doors to refugees of the VietnamWar.

By the end of 1980, more than 60,000 Vietnamese were sponsored by private organizations and Canadian families.

"People were worried about communistsinfiltratingour system, and criminals," said Dwyer.

Calgary Eyeopener6:28Bringing Syrian refugees to Strathmore

We meet a Strathmore woman who is organizing a community effort to sponsor Syrian refugees in her community.

She says when she does hear those concerns, she always tries to explain the arduous vetting process that refugees must go through in order to come to Canada.

"It can take up to three years," said Dwyer, who will be donating some of her own money to bring a Syrian refugee family to Strathmore.

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'Hope for Syria' is reaching out to local businesses and residents to raise $15,000 to cover the cost of the family's housing, furniture, clothing, food and ESL lessons for their first year in Strathmore.

While theactual cost to sponsor a refugee familyis around $30,000,Dwyer says thegovernment of Canada will be covering the family's expensesfor the first six months.

The group is still waiting to be matched with a Syrian family, which Dwyer says will likely be coming froma refugee camp in Lebanon or Turkey.