The Portage and District Refugee Coalition (PDRC) is still working hard to ensure that two Syrian families feel at home in their new community.

Rev. John Dolloff from St. Mary's la Prairie Anglican Church in Portage la Prairie says there's been a lot of work going on. However, he adds, it's not necessarily work that the public is able to see.

Dolloff notes each refugee family has a coordinator who acts as a liaison and speaks with the family on a daily basis to ensure they have whatever they need. He says they also have volunteers who are busy helping the family members learn English and integrate into the community, adding they're very fortunate to have such great folks as part of the coalition.

Dolloff adds summer was a little bit challenging but things are moving forward and both families are starting to feel comfortable in their new homes. He says considering all the hurdles the children in these families have had to face, they've handled things very well as they've adjusted to their new schools.

Dolloff notes he's grateful to the MCC thrift shop in Portage for making the Refugee Coalition their charity of the day on September 26th. He adds it's a chance for them to be in the public eye a bit more and they'll have information about the coalition available there for anyone who's interested.

He says they've made this commitment to the Syrian families and they intend to see it through. Dolloff notes the folks here in town waited a very long time before the families arrived, adding in some ways that just made it all the sweeter to be a part of this initiative.

The PDRC is made up of various churches and community groups in the Porage la Prairie area.