UPDATES FROM OUR CAMPUS

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/ MATTAMY ATHLETIC CENTRE / DMZ IN NYC / TRUDEAU SCHOLAR / Q & A / APPOINTMENTS /

COMMUNITY

IN THE FALL OF 2015, the first wave of arrivals from the Syrian refugee crisis landed in Canada to begin new lives. The journey is never easy, but the Ryerson University Lifeline Syria Challenge (RULSC) is committed to easing the transition.

Established in July 2015 by Ryerson, RULSC is a collaborative venture between the four Toronto universities to support and resettle displaced Syrians. Launched with the goal of sponsoring 10 families, RULSC has now sponsored 437 newcomers and raised almost $5 million thanks to a network of more than 1,000 volunteers (including students, staff, faculty, alumni, donors and community members). The program has also become a unique educational opportunity for student volunteers from all four universities. “I’d like to thank Canada so much for welcoming us and giving us hope, especially for the children,” said newcomer Nabil Hawa, whose family spent time in refugee camps before arriving in Toronto. “We had no certainty back in Turkey and Lebanon, but here in Canada, you can make a future for your children.”