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It’s been nearly two years since 25-year-old Jad Chanko settled in Montreal, leaving Syria behind in search of stability and security in a country that has opened its borders to refugees.

He describes the immigration process as welcoming and well-organized, however, his civil engineering degree remains unrecognized here. He has returned to school part-time while working long hours at a call centre. Regardless, Chanko remains positive about his experience.

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“Everyone seems to be welcoming,” he said. “Now I want to help others that come to Canada.”

After hearing through a friend of a friend about a new group that supports refugee-focused non-profit organizations in the Montreal region, he was quick to jump on board, offering what little free time he has to the cause.

Operation Evac has more than a dozen young Montrealers at the helm who plan to engage local citizens, largely through social media, to raise funds for such local organizations as Action Refugies Montréal, which has helped refugees seeking protection in Canada for two decades.