Kincardine Refugee Committee donates to scholarship for newcomers

The Kincardine Refugee Committee has donated $1,000 to a new scholarship, through Community Foundation Grey Bruce, that assists newcomers.

The Sharifur Rahman Memorial Scholarship supports Grey-Bruce students enrolled in full-time post-secondary studies, with a strong preference given to applicants who are newcomers to Canada.

Rahman, a restaurant owner in Owen Sound, died last year from injuries sustained in a violent attack outside his business.

Members of the Kincardine Refugee Committee presented the funds to Maryann Almas of the foundation, noting that youth the committee supports would be eligible for this scholarship.

The committee is also holding a fund-raiser, Tuesday, Aug. 20, at the Kincardine Legion, featuring The Ballaghs. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show runs 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $25 each; available at Penetangear and the Kincardine Welcome Centre in downtown Kincardine, or by sending an E-mail to kincardinerc@gmail.com.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Kincardine Refugee Committee which, with the support of the community, has brought families to a new land where they can find safety and solace, help and hope, freedom and friendship.

“Now more than ever, natural disasters, conflict and war are creating misery for people who want only to live and raise their families in peace,” says Joye Hunt, a member of the committee.

“During the past 10 years, the Kincardine community has helped support three families. Over time, there have been changes in the committee membership, as in any organization, but the commitment of each person has been whole-hearted, and so appreciated.”

The first sponsored family arrived in 2016, has settled in, and found success here in Canada, becoming Canadian citizens two years ago. The eldest son has graduated from Medical Sciences at Western University in London, and will soon be sitting his MCAT in hopes of entering medical school.

In 2020, a long-awaited sponsored family from Syria arrived during the early grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite entering into on-line schooling and isolation, the family settled in Kincardine, made many friends, became Canadian citizens and currently has two sons in university, one at Ontario Tech in Oshawa and one at Western. With a daughter graduating this coming year and intending to also go to university, the family (which includes a new baby boy) will be moving to London to be closer to their children during their time in secondary education.

During the summer of 2022, the committee became aware of a family from Afghanistan which was in dire need of safe harbour. Having arrived in the spring of 2023, the family has astounded the committee with the determination to become not only successful within the community, but with a willingness to help others. The family’s positivity shines bright, enjoying the new life in Kincardine, with two members joining the Kincardine Refugee Committee steering committee so they can provide insight and help to others in need.

None of these success stories would have been possible without the open hearts of this community, the doctors who have cared for them, the teachers, and every other volunteer who has touched their lives in a such a positive way along their journey.

If you would like more information, or are interested in helping sponsor a family, send an E-mail message to kincardinerc@gmail.com.



Maryann Almas (left) of Community Foundation Grey Bruce accepts a $1,000 donation from Joye Hunt, Sheryl Elliott, and Cathy Thomson of the Kincardine Refugee Committee