Steps towards the Town of Okotoks accepting Syrian refugees made even more progress last week.

The Okotoks Refugee Support Committee was created by appointing an executive board and creating a deciding direction the group wants to take.

The committee is focused on supporting sponsors the best they can, educating the public about the work being done, and help build connections and support systems for the families coming over.

Mayor Bill Robertson was appointed chair of the committee and says they want to help make the transition as easy as possible.

"The committee is getting ready to support individuals, private groups and churches in their efforts to bring families into the Okotoks community," says Robertson.

The first refugee family is expected to come into the community in the next two months.

Robertson says these families are moving to a climate and place they're not accustomed to, along with leaving their family and friends behind.

"We want to make that transition as seamless and effortless as possible for these families."

At the moment Okotoks is looking to accept six refugee families.

Robertson says that at one point in our ancestry we were all new here and that because our ancestors thrived in a new land we were able to survive.

"To have a successful place to live for their heirs, and a successful life as well is the least we can do because we were lucky enough to grow up in Canada."

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