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IN THIS ISSUE:
- Introducing the St. Lawrence-Rideau Immigration Partnership
- Council Member Profile: YMCA of Brockville and Area
- Council Member Profile: Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
- Immigrant Entrepreneur Profile
- Syrian Refugee Resettlement Developments
- Immigration Partnership Staff
- Immigration Partnership Updates
- Community Events and Updates
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Introducing the St. Lawrence-Rideau Immigration Partnership
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Welcome
to the first issue of our Community Colours newsletter branded as the
St. Lawrence-Rideau Immigration Partnership! As part of our
program’s evolution, we wanted to refresh our name to recognize two
features of the local landscape that are known locally, nationally and
internationally; the St. Lawrence River and the Rideau Canal. The
new name aligns with our broader mission to become a region where
immigrants from across Canada and other countries settle. Our
region of focus remains Leeds and Grenville.
As part of our brand refresh process, we also wanted to take a look at
our brand colours. The dynamic play of colour in the Immigration
Partnership logo represents diversity – the diversity of local
newcomers, the diversity of our work, the diversity of our partners, and
the diversity of our community members. While retaining the
traditional colours of the Immigration Partnership, it was also
important for us to incorporate the colour blue, to illustrate the St.
Lawrence River and Rideau Canal. Research has demonstrated that these
are some of the main features of the area that people love and
recognize. The two open hands symbolize ‘welcoming’ – a
characteristic of Leeds and Grenville that has been identified by
newcomers and local citizens.
Along with our new logo and name, the Leeds & Grenville Immigration
Portal will also get a makeover – expect to see its new look in the
coming months. We would like to thank our local design agency, Maggie McGill Media,
for all of their hard work and to all of our Immigration Partnership
Council members for their input and for being part of our journey.
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Immigration Partnership Council Member Profile: Brockville and Area YMCA
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We are
pleased to introduce one of the Immigration Partnership’s newest
council members, the YMCA of Brockville and Area.
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Healthy Living and Social Responsibility
The YMCA of Brockville and Area strives to be a community catalyst for
healthy living, personal development and social responsibility.
Every year, the YMCA of Brockville and Area assists over 1,200 community
members of all ages and backgrounds, in accessing lifesaving and life
enhancing programs including camp, swim lessons, aqua fitness, child
care, youth nights, before and after school care, and many more.
Partnerships
Pursuing its mission to encourage growth in spirit, mind and body, so
that individuals, families and communities can be stronger, the Y
continues to create new partnerships and branch back out into the
community. Today, the Y has partnerships with the City of
Brockville and with 22 (2010) local agencies, sharing resources to serve
the community better. For example, in 2016 the Y welcomed over
750 Grade 3 students from 30 local schools to the Swim to Survive
program. Swim to Survive is an important first step to being safe
around water, and could mean the difference between life and death when
immersion in water is sudden and unexpected.
YMCA Membership Assistance
The YMCA strives to include all members of the community. Through
the YMCA Annual Giving Campaign: Strong Kids, individuals and families
can apply for financial assistance in order to participate in YMCA
programs and services they otherwise could not afford. The YMCA
Membership Assistance is funded by donations and are used directly in
the local community.
Building a Community for Syrian Refugees
Responding to the needs of newcomers is part of the purpose that YMCAs
across the country serve as Canada’s centres of community. To that end,
the Brockville Y, has welcomed new Syrian families with free family
memberships, which they have been taking full advantage of. This
has provided the families with healthy outlets for their physical and
social energy, but also has be an opportunity to practice their English
in the community.
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Immigration Partnership Council Member Profile: Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
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The
Health Unit officially opened on July 1, 1947, to service the
municipalities of Leeds and Grenville. In 1967, Lanark District
joined the organization, which then became the Leeds, Grenville and
Lanark District Health Unit (LGLDHU). In July 2017, the Health
Unit will celebrate its 70th anniversary.
The Health Unit provides public health programs and services to improve
the health of its residents in collaboration with other health units,
the provincial government, Public Health Ontario, local municipalities,
and many local and provincial partners. A variety of service sites
exist across the region, with offices in Smith Falls, Brockville,
Kemptville, Gananoque, and Almonte. A referral is not needed for
any service.
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Supporting Newcomer Parents
Newcomer parents may feel overwhelmed by the many demands they are
facing and uncertain about their parenting skills in the context of
their new country. The Health Unit offers various parenting
support programs, including the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program,
a free voluntary program across Ontario. The program is for
pregnant moms, their partners, and families with young children up until
they start school. Public Health Nurses and Family Home Visitors
can provide newcomer parents guidance on parenting expectations in
Canada, share resources, and connect families with community programs to
help families get the best start possible.
Oral Health Screening
Oral health is a basic component of children’s health and a
particular concern in young newcomers to Canada. Young newcomers
may not have received dental care before their arrival or learned about
oral hygiene in their country of origin. Young newcomers to Canada
may be eligible for dental funding assistance through Healthy Smiles Ontario is a free dental program that includes regular check-ups, preventive care, and treatment for children and youth 17 and under.
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Immunization for Newcomer Families
Immunization is a key part of ensuring the complete health of newcomers,
as well as Canadian citizens. Due to ongoing conflict in many refugees'
country of origin, they might not have received effective
immunizations. The immunization clinics across Leeds and Grenville
provide the confidential services listed below:
- Routine childhood immunization
- Routine adult immunization
- Tuberculosis (TB) testing
- Select Travel Immunizations
Sexual Health Clinics
Sexual and reproductive health is an essential aspect of the overall
health and well-being of an individual. The Health Unit provide
services to people of all ages, genders and sexual orientations.
Services provided include:
- Sexual health counselling and referrals
- Low cost birth control
- FREE condoms
- Emergency Contraceptive Pill (Plan B)
- FREE pregnancy testing, counselling and referrals
- Pap Tests (By appointment only)
- STI testing & FREE treatments
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Immigrant Entrepreneur Profile:
Nicolas Chamieh
By: Vivianne White, Project Coordinator, St. Lawrence-Rideau Immigration Partnership
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Nicolas Chamieh is the owner of Shawarma Garden,
the new Shawarma restaurant that opened on King Street in downtown
Brockville in September 2016. Born in Zahlé, Lebanon, Nicolas
originally came to Canada as a tourist to visit the capital city, where
he later on met his wife. He moved to Brockville to be with his
wife, a Brockville native. I had the opportunity to sit down
with Nicolas at his restaurant and chat with him about his settlement
and entrepreneurship journey.
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Shawarma
Garden blossomed from the heart of the Lebanese Cuisine. This
garden beholds the most exquisite, delectable and appetizing bouquets of
the Mediterranean countries’ famous delicacy, the Shawarma. In
addition to a unique local specialty, the Montreal-Style Smoked
Meat. This unique combination has led to the cultivation of one
concept
– SHAWARMA Garden.
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What was your experience moving to Canada/Brockville like?
The move to Brockville was not a very challenging one for Nicolas.
Prior to coming to Canada, Nicolas had lived in Africa for six
years. “I had already experienced living in a new country and been
exposed to other cultures,” he said. For many newcomers, learning
English is often the most difficult challenge they face. Luckily
for Nicolas, he did not have to overcome any language barriers, “in my
home country, we learn how to speak English at school from the
beginning” he said. Nicolas is trilingual, speaking Arabic, French and
English. The thought of small town life may sound undesirable for
some, but this was not the case for Nicolas. “I lived in a small
town in Lebanon, so I am used to it” he said. “I hate traffic and big
cities,” he added.
What was your business experience prior to arriving in Canada/Brockville?
It is not uncommon for immigrant entrepreneurs to start a business in
Canada without any prior business experience. For Nicolas, this
was not the case – he has extensive business experience and has degree
in Business Management. “In Africa I was the manager of a mall
that had different departments, including a restaurant – similar to
Walmart” he said. I asked Nicolas, “Why did you decide to open a
Shawarma restaurant in Brockville?” His response, “because they didn’t
have one – a lot of young people have discovered Shawarma in other
cities and enjoy it. They tell their parents about it, who then
give it a try – people enjoy it”. Nicolas’ business model is:
Quantity + Quality at a Cheap Price!
I understand that you are also providing Arabic interpretation
services to the Refugees for Brockville Steering Committee. Tell
me, what has your experience been like with helping the new Syrian
families?
“I have always liked to help others,” said Nicolas. Nicolas has
been involved with the new refugee families in Brockville, translating
from English to Arabic and vice versa. “In the beginning it was
much more demanding,” said Nicolas. Now, the families are much
more self-sufficient. “Every time they [the refugee families]
received something in the mail they would call me to translate it.”
There is a steep learning curve for the refugees, for example “they
aren’t used to credit cards and hydro bills – everything was in cash,”
said Nicolas. The families are learning, “the first, second time they
would get a hydro bill they would call me, now they recognize the
HydroOne logo and know what to do,” he added.
As an immigrant business owner, do you feel it is important to hire immigrants?
“Yes, it is important,” said Nicolas. However, Nicolas believes
that it is equally important to hire local Canadian workers as
well. “I look at qualifications first,” he said.
Have you been able to hire immigrants? What has that experience been like?
Nicolas has hired 1 refugee so far. “Language and communication have been the biggest challenge,” he said.
What do you like most about Brockville? What would you like to see improved?
“I love how everyone is so welcoming,” said Nicolas. There are
many things that Nicolas likes about Brockville, including the river,
the weather and summer time. When I asked Nicolas what he would
like to see improved, he said “I think the city needs to do more – there
could be more movement downtown.” Nicolas also spoke about the recent
closing of the downtown beer store and TD bank. As the result of
the TD bank closing, Nicolas has decided to move his business to CIBC,
one of the only banks left downtown. Nicolas is looking forward to
seeing how the opening of the Railway Tunnel does for the downtown
area, but believes that there “should be more hotels and festivals
downtown – things to attract the younger generation”.
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Refugee Resettlement Developments
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As
of January 2017 Canada has welcomed over 40,000 refugees from
Syria. The Leeds and Grenville region has welcomed 56 refugees
from Syria, Eritrea and Liberia, since late 2015. Twelve refugee
families are now calling Brockville, Gananoque and Kemptville home, with
more expected to arrive in the coming months. Family sizes range
from 1-10, with an average of 4-5 family members.
There has been an incredible community interest in and support for
welcoming these new families. Ten different local organizations and
groups, have come together to sponsor families through both the blended
visa office-referred program and through private sponsorships.
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Community Initiatives Supporting Refugee Settlement in Leeds Grenville
BROCKVILLE
Dr. Jacqueline Schoemaker Holmes was appointed the new Chair for the
Refugees for Brockville (RFB) Steering Committee by the City of
Brockville Mayor, David Henderson, in December 2016. Jacqueline
has been leading the steering committees monthly meetings since January
2017. Through the support of the volunteer committee members, the
group has organized multiple educational sessions and awareness events
for sponsorship groups, service providers and community members.
Presentations have been focused on topics such as mental health and
wellbeing, Syrian culture, and month 13 planning.
The RFB Committee continues to operate the Community Refugee Relief
Fund, and review requests for funding for emergency needs on an ongoing
basis. To date, community funds raised have been used to hire a part
time Arabic interpreter to assist families as they arrive, and to offset
additional expenses such as dental care. The group is well on its
way to accomplish its mission to welcome 10+ families to the Brockville
and area community, with a total of 9 families now calling Brockville
home. To stay up to date with the group’s initiatives, you can
request to join the Facebook group here or visit their website at www.refugees4brockville.com.
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“The
Refugees for Brockville Committee continues to be buoyed and
inspired by the ongoing enthusiasm and commitment of the
community which has supported the Committee mandate to bring 10
refugee families/individuals to Brockville since the beginning. As we
approach the goal of 10 newcomer families, Refugees for Brockville will
continue its mission to welcome and assist in the integration and
support of all newcomers to Brockville. We look forward to
strengthening Brockville as a place of inclusion and diversity and to
welcoming those who continue to face desperate circumstances around the
globe. We are grateful to the sponsor groups and to all community
members who have stepped forward and have gone above and beyond to help
make Brockville a welcoming city to all those who now call it
home.”
– Dr. Jacqueline Schoemaker Holmes, Chair, Refugees for Brockville Committee
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BROCKVILLE'S NEWEST ARRIVALS
United Welcome has welcomed the newest refugee family to Brockville, the
Al-Sharaqbis, who arrived in February 2017. This is the second
family that United Welcome has sponsored to come live and settle in
Brockville.
St. John Bosco Catholic Church welcomed the Alkafrei family, Ahmad, his
wife Rajaa, son Ibrahem, age four, daughter Sondos, age two and a half,
to Canada in late January 2017. Son Essa was born on February 1st
at the Brockville General Hospital. Robert Beaudry, the lead
volunteer of the sponsorship group, stated “the family is doing well –
Ahmad goes to English classes five mornings a week, and Rajaa two
mornings. Essa of course is a Canadian citizen, while the other four all
have just received their permanent resident cards.”
Joanna Perry, a Refugees for Brockville committee member who is leading
the Brockville Wesleyan Church and Centennial Road Church's volunteer
team, provided an update on the Al Nabelsi family, who arrived at
the end of November 2016. Joanna said that she is pleased
with the efforts the family has been putting in, and “the happiness
level of the family is very encouraging” she said. The
newcomers have been well received, “community members have offered to
take the family boating and fishing this summer,” added Joanna.
This winter season, sleds were also donated to the family. The
parents have been attending ESL courses regularly, with volunteer
drivers driving them to and from their courses six times a week.
Both parents have realized that learning the language is very
important and they are motivated, “the father is taking additional
tutoring at the public library,” said Joanna. The family is
adapting to family life in Brockville and are making friends here.
They hope to take advantage of their free YMCA family
membership more often and their eldest son will be participating in
spring soccer in the coming months.
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MERRICKVILLE
Merrickville Bridge to Canada (MBC) is an organization of committed
residents of Merrickville who want to help make a difference for
refugees in need of a new home. Their objective is to welcome and
settle at least one family in Merrickville. “We are actively
waiting to be matched with a family,” said Audrey Bridge, Chair of the
Merrickville Bridge to Canada group. “We’ve been moved from number 10 to
number 4 on the BVOR waiting list” she added. Although the
sponsorship group has been moved up on the BVOR list, there is no
knowing how long it may take to be assigned a family. The reason
for the bump on the list is due to many groups switching to private
sponsorship rather than the BVOR route, said Audrey
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As
a result of the community-wide effort, the MerrickvilleBridge
organization raised close to $2,500 at the Mainstreet Village Chef event
in February. The event was sponsored by Chaiya Decor, located in
Merrickville.
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In
the meantime, the group continues to organize several events to raise
additional funds to cover the transportation expenses required to move a
family to Merrickville. On April 8th 2017, the group
will be hosting a Music Night with Craig Cardiff at the Merrickville
United Church, with all proceeds going towards the local
organization. Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase here or at Wick Witch Candle and Bath Co. in Merrickville. The group has also announced that they will be hosting their 2nd
Annual Fundraising Golf Tournament at Lombard Glen Golf & Country
Club in September 2017. For more information visit: www.merrickville-bridge.ca or their Facebook page here.
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GANANOQUE
On March 3rd 2017, the Gananoque Refugee Settlement Group
(GRSG), partnered with the Ivy Restaurant in Lansdowne, to host an
evening of Syrian Dining, “A Feast from the East”. The dinner was a
fundraiser to help support the GRSG and its efforts to bringing more
Syrian refugees to Gananoque. The group raised $4,521 with the
event and over 80 people attended the dinner of fine Syrian cuisine,
with tickets selling out a week before the event. To date, the
GRSG has sponsored two Syrian refugee families to come and live in
Gananoque. For more information visit the groups Facebook page – Ganonoque Refugee Settlement Group.
KEMPTVILLE
After many months of work and preparation by a very devoted group of
local people, the Refugees in North Grenville (R.I.N.G) group welcomed
the Alyousef family to Kemptville in September 2016. The group has
a second family in line, however, “are not expected to arrive before
the fall at the earliest”, said Sally Jorgensen, Chair and President of
the R.I.N.G sponsoring committee. For more information visit: www.refugeesng.com.
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The Immigration Partnership Staff
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The
Immigration Partnership staff team has changed in the last year.
We are extremely proud of the work we continue to do with our partners
to embrace newcomers and encourage settlement in our region.
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From left to right: Melissa Francis and Vivianne White.
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MELISSA FRANCIS (Program Manager):
Melissa is the longest standing member of the team, having been part of
the St. Lawrence-Rideau Immigration Partnership since September
2012. Melissa developed an interest in different cultures when she
first travelled through East and Southern Africa. Her passion for
supporting newcomers stems from her personal experiences of sponsoring
her husband to Canada and experiencing the settlement journey that
newcomers face first hand. Melissa loves yoga, cooking all types
of cuisine, and being in the great outdoors whenever she can.
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VIVIANNE WHITE (Project Coordinator):
Vivianne joined the Immigration Partnership staff team in December 2016
after returning to Brockville from Quebec City, Quebec, where she lived
and worked for two years. She developed an interest in cultural
diversity issues during her university exchange in the Netherlands,
where she lived for ten months and studied international business.
As a born and raised “Brockvillian”, Vivianne is proud to be part of a
team that strives to make Leeds and Grenville a more inclusive place for
immigrants and refugees.
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Immigration Partnership Updates
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Community Support Refugee Guide
A community support guide on ‘How to Sponsor and Welcome Refugees to Leeds and Grenville Communities’
has been developed by the Immigration Partnership team. The guide is
intended to provide service providers, refugee sponsorship groups and
municipalities with a collection of local and national resources focused
on supporting refugees. The guide has been printed and will be
distributed to the refugee sponsorship groups throughout Leeds and
Grenville in April. A copy of the guide has been added to the
Leeds & Grenville Immigration Portal and can be downloaded here.
Newcomer Welcome Kit
After several months of research, planning, and design, the Newcomer
Welcome Kit is in its final stages of production. Hard copies of
the guide can be requested by contacting Vivianne at vivianne@eecentre.com
or at 613-498-2111 ext. 261. An electronic flip book of the guide
will be available on the Leeds and Grenville Immigration Portal, as
well as an electronic copy to download.
Employment & Settlement Working Group
The Employment & Settlement Working group met in February and are
currently reflecting on and exploring how to respond to the community
challenges identified at the Leeds & Grenville Diversity Day held in
October 2016. The group is planning many exciting initiatives for
2017/18. Stay tuned for more!
IRCC Funding
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has approved funding
for the Immigration Partnership Program for the next three years.
Intercultural Competency Training
On March 6 and 7, 2017, the City of Brockville, St. Lawrence-College and
the Immigration Partnership hosted an Intercultural Competency Training
at St. Lawrence College in Brockville.
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Twenty-five
participants from various sectors (municipal, education, refugee
support, employment, public health, public libraries, volunteering) came
together to learn from Intercultural Competency Specialist and Trainer,
Chéla Breckon (The Fraser View Group). All participants who
completed the two day training received a certificate in Intercultural
Competency.
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Community Events and Updates
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YMCA HEALTHY KIDS DAYS
An action-packed event for the entire family, YMCA Healthy Kids Day
places special emphasis on how healthy living can be fun and providing
families with simple tips and resources to live healthy every day.
When: Sunday April 30, 2017
Where: Brockville and Area YMCA, 345 Park Street, Brockville
Admission: Free for all ages
36th ANNUAL MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL
Come experience a variety of cultural foods, entertainment, educational
booths and crafts, dance and performances. Fun for the whole family!
When: Friday May 5 from 5:30pm – 10:00pm & Saturday May 6, 2017 from 11:30am to 10:00pm.
Where: Brockville Memorial Civic Centre, Magedoma Drive, Brockville (behind the Canadian Tire Store located on Parkedale Ave.)
Admission: Free for children under 5, $4.50 for students & seniors, $5.00 for adults
DOORS OPEN BROCKVILLE AND THE THOUSAND ISLANDS 2017
Brockville and the Thousand Islands are pleased to welcome you back for
Doors Open 2017! With 34 sites ranging from museums to art galleries,
gardens to churches, and more, there is something for everyone to
explore. Grab your friends and family and plan to spend the day or
weekend enjoying the stunning views along the St. Lawrence River and
getting to know the many beautiful towns of the region – from Prescott
to Delta to Mallorytown!
Where: Various locations in Brockville
When: May 27, 2017 – May 28, 2017
Admission: Free for all ages
FREE 2017 DISCOVERY PASS - PARKS CANADA
2017 is the 150th anniversary of Confederation. As Canada's gift to you,
the 2017 Discovery Pass will provide free admission for the entire year
to Parks Canada places from coast to coast to coast. Find adventure,
fun for the whole family or a short break from the everyday. There's
never been a better time to make your Parks Canada dream a reality!
Start planning your next visit at www.parkscanada.gc.ca/visit.
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COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX PROGRAM
Need a hand completing your income tax and benefit return? FREE Income
Tax Returns for low income filers (Individuals: max $30,000, Couple: max
$40,000). Taxes will be completed by a volunteer registered with the
CRA/CVITP.
BROCKVILLE
When: Monday to Friday, until May 1st 9:00am to 1:00pm, NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
Where: Chipman Centre, 51 King Street East, Level 1 (Lower), Brockville
For any further questions, please call: 613-865-7500
SOUTH GRENVILLE AREA
When: Until April 29, 2017
Where: South Grenville Food Bank
If interested, please leave your name: (613)-925-2444 ext. 27 or 1-800-926-0777
In partnership with The Royal Canadian Legion Branch
GANANOQUE
When: Until April 29, 2017 – Monday, Thursday and Friday BY APPOINTMENT
1-800-926-0777 or call 613-865-7500 ext. 374
Where: CPHC, 345 Herbert St.
MUSIC NIGHT WITH CRAIG CARDIFF, ALSO FEATURING: TONY KOMERY & ONE WORLD CHOIR
Fundraiser to support the Merrickville Bridge to Canada group.
When: April 8, 2017 at 6:30pm
Where: Merrickville United Church, 100 St. Lawrence Street
Admission: Tickets are $25 available for purchase online here, or at the Wick Witch Candle and Bath Co. in Merrickville.
OPEN HOUSE AT ST. LAWRENCE COLLEGE, BROCKVILLE
Join us for our Spring Open House to discover what makes St. Lawrence College right for you and your career goals!
When: Saturday April 8, 2017 from 9:00am – 12:00pm
Where: St. Lawrence College, 2288 Parkdale Avenue, Brockville
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Immigration Partnership Committee Member Organizations
These are the organizations that provide leadership to the St. Lawrence-Rideau Immigration Partnership.
Brockville & Area YMCA
Brockville & District Multicultural Council
Chinese & Canadian Heritage Cultural Association
City of Brockville Economic Development
CSE Consulting
Employment + Education Centre
Francophone Immigration Support Network of East Ontario
Fulford Academy
KEYS Job Centre
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
Leeds Grenville Small Business Enterprise Centre
Parks Canada
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Foods & Rural Affairs
St. Lawrence College
1000 Island Workforce Development Board
TR Leger Immigrant Services/TR Leger Services aux Immigrants
The Works Events Canada Inc.
United Counties of Leeds Grenville
Upper Canada Leger Centre
Volunteer Centre of St. Lawrence-Rideau
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How Can I Get Involved?
Let us answer with a word that sums up a lot of what we’re about: Welcoming!
There are many ways to get involved with the St. Lawrence-Rideau
Immigration Partnership, whether as an organization or as an
individual. You can also request to be on our Immigration
Partnership stakeholder list to receive regular program updates.
Please contact Vivianne White, St. Lawrence-Rideau Immigration Partnership Project Coordinator, for more information.
Email: vivianne@eecentre.com
Phone:
613-498-2111 ext. 261
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