A new home in Tillsonburg
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It's a new beginning for a new family in Tillsonburg. The family of Syrian refugees sponsored by Erie View United Mennonite Church that will be living in town was expected to arrive in Toronto Wednesday morning.
"They were supposed to be picked up between 11 and 12," said Tillsonburg's Eberhard Van Riesen.
His wife had called him around 10:30 a.m. to say the plane had not landed yet.
"Heidi said, 'I don't know what time...' Apparently the flights are delayed due to weather. It could be three to five hours."
Heidi and Eberhard Van Riesen, members of the Erie View United Mennonite Church near Port Rowan, are helping to get them settled.
"I have lived in a refugee camp, so I fully understand," said Eberhard, who has lived in Tillsonburg for the past 35 years. "I am German, from the eastern part. So I know what's what. It's not a good time, let's put it this way. And my wife (Heidi) was also a refugee.
"When this came about... bringing refugees over, we went through MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) and inquired. The church got behind the whole program and decided, 'ok this is what we're going to do, we're going to bring them over.' Although our church is in Port Rowan – it's just a small congregation of 35 people or so – we decided it's better that they live here in Tillsonburg. There are a few families that live in Tillsonburg, and other people that work here, that go to the church.
"It's closer to doctors, although we have not yet found a doctor. That's the one thing... we have not found a doctor. But it is close to schools, it is close to shopping. It's within walking distance (of downtown) so that would be the ideal location for a refugee family. It is right in the heart of the community."
Initially, Erie View United Mennonite Church planned to sponsor a family of 10, but they could not find a suitable house in Tillsonburg. That family has since found another sponsor in Canada.
Asking for a family of six, the Erie View was able to sponsor a family of seven with five children between the ages of 3-13 (13, 11, 10, 7, 3).
"And that's fine with us," said Van Riesen.
"We kind of talked the guy (landlord) into it... said the church is looking after it and he is guaranteed his income. He let us have the property for one year – that's all we needed, one year."
In addition to providing accommodations, Erie View United Mennonite Church committed to financially looking after the family for one year. Refugee sponsors are expected to provide about $40,000 in funding. The federal government kicks in $9,000 for each Syrian family.
"There is a large financial obligation to look after them for one year," said Van Riesen. "But it will be there.
"For us, the big thing right now is to find a doctor. My concern... is do they have vaccinations? What do they have? As far I'm concerned, you can't be overly vaccinated. If you don't have any documentation, I think they need all of it. That's only my opinion.
"But you have to have a place to go to... and right now we can't find a doctor in town. You don't want to run to Emergency all the time."
GENEROUS SUPPORT
"The town of Tillsonburg has been so generous," said Eberhard. "My wife, who volunteers at the food bank, has been advertising it there. Through them and other people, we've been offered so much help. We have furniture. We have bedding. You name it, we got it. Everything for the kitchen... everything is there. People in town were just so generous, you wouldn't believe it. It's really nice.
"A week ago I told my wife, 'turn off the tap,'" he added with a chuckle. "The whole house is furnished. As far as I'm concerned, it's just great. Just beautiful. And people are still calling up and offering. But we don't know, as far as clothing, what sizes they need.
The family's first full day in Tillsonburg will be on New Year's Eve, and the Van Riesens will be at their Rolph Street apartment – with an interpreter – to help them familiarize themselves with their new home.
"The first thing we'll do is go over there with the interpreter and make sure they're familiar with the household. Show them everything, how everything works if they're not familiar with it."