With the winter weather quickly approaching, some of Swift Current's newest residents will be experiencing these harsh conditions for the first time.

Within the past year Swift Current has welcomed a few refugee families from Syria, and now with the cold approaching, it will be up to those in the community to help prepare them.

Tammy Israelson, Public Relations for the Swift Current Area Ministerial Refugee Committee says she is ready for the challenge.

"For the kids, we need to make sure that, if possible they can have ski pants as well as a good winter jacket, boots that fit, toques, mitts, and scarves. We are definitely getting there (in preparation), I think that there are lots of other good resources in the city (in terms of stores)," Israelson said.

The families have had conversations with the Arabic community inside Swift Current about winter, but won't know exactly what to expect until the snow flies.

"Just like with any new experience that you have, no matter who you are, you can plan for it, you can talk about it, but you just need to experience it just for yourself. It will be an adventure for them, to see just how they will adjust. I think they are going to do really well, though," she said.

The Swift Current Area Ministerial Refugee Committee helped a family of 13 immigrate into Canada in July of this past summer and have been helping the family in any way they can.

"When we got together in November and December, we started pulling people into our team that would be able to help them, and not just preparing them for winter but for all areas of their life. Accommodations the house they would need, health care, education, transportation, and interpretation," she said, while noting with a smile "their English is getting better."

If you would like to donate winter clothing to the family, you may contact Swift Current Area Ministerial Refugee Committee or the Southwest Newcomer Welcome Centre.