Two refugee families from Syria were welcomed into Portage just over a year ago. Yesterday, they hosted a dinner thanking those who have helped them get to this point. The dinner was a traditional Syrian meal which about 70 people attended. Iftikar Al Houlani said she wanted to thank the people who did so much throughout the process of bringing them here. She says she is grateful for everything done to help her children and family.

The Al Hallaq and Bakr families continue to adjust to a much different life than the one they left behind in Syria. They are continually learning English, very quickly in some cases, as they are immersed in it fully.

Rana Bakr is from the other Syrian family who came to Portage and is a student at PCI. She says she is grateful to the people of Portage and loves how Canada is so different than her home country. Bakr adds she loves living in Portage because the people have such big hearts.