For families choosing Canada as their home, the settlement process into a new community can sometimes be challenging.
That’s why communities like Guelph and Wellington County are banding together this fall to welcome newcomers to their new home towns and cities.
From September 8th to 17th, the community is hosting Welcoming Week 2023, during which time community partners are hosting events that bring new and longtime residents together, celebrate newcomers or share details about newcomer programming and services.
Sherrylea Perera, Project Specialist with Guelph-Wellington Local Immigration Partnership (GWLIP), said the annual campaign is an opportunity for longtime residents and their new neighbours to build stronger connections and celebrate diversity.
“The purpose of Welcoming Week is really to inspire people to think about what we can do to ensure that everybody, including newcomers and immigrants, thrives and feels welcome in Guelph and Wellington County,” she said.
Click here to view a calendar of events during Welcoming Week,
With over 1.69 million newcomers being welcomed to Canada between 2016-22, it’s especially important to celebrate diversity, and recognize the potential each person brings in terms of life experience, ideas and talent.
Our population is changing and with that change, community partners are engaged in finding new ways to connect with the wider community, and respond to new and emerging needs.
“This is the beauty of a changing landscape, isn’t it?” Perera said. “The beauty of immigration is that our communities become more vibrant and dynamic. Our community organizations are looking to be responsive to changing needs and be as accessible as possible to everyone.”
Welcoming communities, Perera said, are equitable, inclusive and accessible. They help everyone, including immigrants to thrive and also help showcase some fresh insights, and new ideas about the world.
“Eventually we have more ideas, we get different perspectives. And I think that spurs on creativity, ingenuity, and really beautiful places and spaces for us to live, work and raise our families.”
What is a welcoming community?
The idea of creating a welcoming community is what drives GWLIP, and other community groups, to forge these connections with new Canadians. Not to mention the strength and richness that a diverse community can provide.
“A welcoming community has places and groups that support immigrants’ economic, social, cultural, civic, and political involvement,” Perera said. “A welcoming community has structures and practices in place that meet the needs and promote the inclusion of immigrants in all aspects of life.”
Guelph-Wellington has already put several programs into place to help new neighbours, Perera said.
Settlement services like Immigrant Services Guelph Wellington and County of Wellington Settlement Services provide programs and services to help new Canadians settle into the social, economic and organizational life of the community,
Other groups, like EarlyON Child and Family Centres offer safe and welcoming environments open to all families with young children where they can make connections, find support, resources, and advice about parenting and child development.
At the individual level, Perera said that small gestures, even something as simple as a wave hello or a warm handshake, can make a huge impact on a new residents’ experiences.
Welcoming Week “is about creating opportunities that bring people together,” Perera said. “But importantly, it's also to inspire people to think about how in small and large ways we can create welcoming, equitable and accessible communities.”
There are 28 events running across Guelph and Wellington Counties between Sept. 8 and 17, with a mixture of in-person and virtual events, all free of charge
“These events are ranging from things like the Wellington County Multicultural Festival, to an international fair hosted by Immigrants Services Guelph-Wellington,” Perera said.
In addition to other events “We've also got art walks in the City, a nature festival hosted by the Yorklands Green Hub and events for young people at the the Guelph Public Libraries and The Grove Youth Wellness Hub in Fergus” she said.
The events also feature free admission to Guelph Museums, services and program exploration visits, newcomer receptions, and business and entrepreneurship workshops for newcomers.
“We really hope that the community, whether they're longtime residents or new, get out there to strengthen community ties and embrace the opportunity to meet new people,” Perera said.
“Come together as neighbours to enjoy the events, enjoy the music, enjoy the culture, and break bread as a community.”
“The feeling of community is universal,” Perera said. “And so are the gestures that build it.”
In Guelph and Wellington county, Welcoming Week is organized by GWLIP, and funded by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.