Jeff Van Gyssel wants refugees coming to Waterloo Region to feel like they belong here.
The New Hamburg man started his own construction company — Just Working Construction — last April and hopes to be able to provide work for newcomers with some trades experience.
“I hear all about their struggles. They are given hope when they come to this country but then their hopes are dashed by how expensive it can be here,” said Van Gyssel, who was introduced to refugee families as a volunteer with Welcome Home, a local program that assists refugees and refugee claimants.
“The biggest thing they want is to feel like a part of the community,” he said.