Refugees come here for the same things we all want from life: safety, a good job and the chance to build a better life for their families.

"I like so much the U.S.," said Abdiqadir Jama, 20, one of about 300 refugees from East Africa, mostly Somalis, who have begun to call Greeley home. "A lot of opportunity. You can do anything you want."

This new population of Somali citizens has moved to Greeley and many of them have found work at the JBS Swift & Co. meat packing plant. Many are refugees from a war-torn homeland. Many don't speak the language or know our customs. We hope the Greeley community will embrace these new residents and make them feel welcome.

The Somalis, like refugees from varied backgrounds before them, have come to Greeley for the opportunities it offers. Their presence, however, is not just about opportunities for them, it is also an opportunity for all of us. It is an opportunity to grow and expand our world. The essential strength of America is the country's ability to embrace the best of many cultures.

While the customs that come from half a world away can seem scary, they will -- like the customs of the Russian-Germans a century ago -- enrich our lives. The Somali, and other East African, refugees that represent Greeley's first distinct immigration wave of the 21st century are fully documented, legal workers. They deserve all the opportunities they get.

We are glad the Greeley Police Department has scheduled meetings to help Somalis learn the rules of the road and understand our laws. We support the efforts of Swift and Aims Community College to help the refugees learn English and adjust to life here. We hope the rest of our community will follow this lead.

The people who have left their homelands in Africa and come to Greeley in search of something better have earned our support. Many of them have survived far worse than the unluckiest among us will likely ever face.

"There are warlords. There's no government existing, so everyone has a gun," said Ibraham Mohamed of Somalia. "You never know when you're going to die."

We are glad -- and honored -- that Greeley can give people who have survived so much an excellent place to live.