The suspected chemical attack and escalating tensions surrounding Syria is being closely watched by Syrians in northeast Ohio.
"When I watch the news, I'm so sad," said Jizwell Youssef.
She greets every customer like a friend while working at the Subway on Center Ridge Road in Westlake. "I love this store," she said.
You can't tell by looking at her smile the heartbreak her eyes have seen. Youssef and her family escaped Syria six years ago with just the clothes on their backs. The heartbreaking images playing out on the news are not the memories she holds in her heart.
"It was a wonderful city, now it's bad," she explained.
Youssef and her family owned businesses in Syria. They came to the United States as refugees. Youssef now works three jobs to make the American dream come true - at Subway, a department store and Just Sweets by Jizwell, her own business where shse sells beautifully decorated pastries and cookies.
Some of the thousands of refugees and immigrants who come to Cleveland find comfort at the Hope Center for Refugees and Immigrants. The majority of the them are Syrian.
"A lot of Syrians are weeping for their country," said Eileen Wilson, Director of Refugee Ministries for Building Hope in the City.
The facility opened three years ago when just 25 refugees and immigrants were visiting. Now, that number hovers around 350 daily. Some of the Syrians who visit come with heavy hearts, worried about their family members left behind.
"Worried about their safety, worried about what's going on and what will happen to them," said Wilson.
On the wall in the facility are the words "It's a beautiful day" written in 40 different languages. Now, those who once called Syria home, hope for a beautiful day for the country they still hold in their hearts.
