HWDSB Motion Welcomes Syrian Refugees
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HWDSB Trustees will consider a Motion on Monday to engage in a conversation with Wesley Urban Ministries and the City of Hamilton to use empty schools to help settle Syrian refugees in Hamilton.
The Motion from Trustee Greg Van Geffen at the upcoming Board meeting notes that this builds on a City of Hamilton commitment to help settle refugees.
“I want my fellow Trustees to consider the opportunity that we have as a Board to start a timely and important conversation about taking real action on supporting Hamilton’s efforts to settle Syrian refugees,” Van Geffen said.
The Motion notes that the federal government has committed to accepting refugees from Syria, the City of Hamilton has identified itself as a settlement location and Wesley Urban Ministries is the lead local organization to assist settlement in Hamilton.
The motion calls for Board Chair Todd White to write a letter to Wesley Urban Ministries, offering to “engage in a conversation regarding vacant school properties in our inventory that may be used as emergency shelters to assist in the settlement efforts of those Syrian refugees who come to Hamilton.”
Chair White said this is an opportunity for HWDSB to demonstrate values it believes in – values that it also encourages in its nearly 50,000 students.
“We tell our students to think globally and act locally,” Chair White said. “As a Board, this is a chance for us to stand for social justice, inclusion and helping our local and global community.”
White said the Motion also fits with the Board’s efforts to create partnerships that will help use surplus space in its facilities.
About HWDSB
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board is engaging the community to reimagine its vision and focus. Watch for details as the Board rolls out the Reimagine HWDSB initiative so our community can help us Explore, Imagine and Launch a new direction. Learn more at www.hwdsb.on.ca or follow us on Twitter @hwdsb.
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Media contact:
Jackie Penman
HWDSB Manager of Corporate Communications
905-527-5092, extension 2301
905-317-0086 (cell)
Updated on Friday, September 24, 2021.