- Immigration Partnership Updates
- Immigration Partnership Member Profile: Volunteer Centre of St. Lawrence-Rideau
- Local Spotlight: The Village of Maitland
- Celebrating Mardi Gras
- Partner Updates
- Education & Employment: Training and Seminars
- Community: Upcoming Events
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WHAT'S NEW
Immigration Partnership Updates
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4th Annual Leeds Grenville Immigrant Entrepreneur Award
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Congratulations to Magdalena Duris from Piccolo Cafe Plus, this year's Leeds Grenville Immigrant Entrepreneur Award Winner!
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On October 25th, the Leeds Grenville
Immigrant Entrepreneur Award was presented to this year's winner. The
presentation took place at the Brockville Country Club as past of the Leeds Grenville Small Businuess Enterprise Centre's
Bridges to Better Business event. Seven businesses were nominated this
year, from across Leeds and Grenville. The winner was Magdalena Duris
from Piccolo Cafe Plus in Prescott. Magdalena was unfortunately away
visiting her home country of Slovakia during the award presentation, but
her daughter (Petra) who accepted the award on her behalf, was able to
use Facetime to include her mother in the ceremony. Magdalena is the
first female award winner and the first winner from Prescott.
The other finalists were:
Don Sveto from Dragon Garden Restaurant (Prescott) (613) 925-4981
Alison and Paul Goodyer from Cosies (Brockville) (613) 865-9179
Sam Rawas from Richard’s Coffeehouse (Brockville) (613) 345-7771
Anu and Guru Khosa from The Tandoori Mint (Brockville) (613) 865-7518
Frank and Judy Li from Dewar's Inn (Prescott) (613) 925-3228
Kutebah Al Youssef from Horizon's Painting (Kemptville) (613) 276-4583
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Leeds and Grenville Diversity Day 2018 and Immigration Portal Launch
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We had a great turnout for Diversity Day this year!
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The Immigration Partnership and the City of
Brockville hosted the Annual Diversity Day event on November 28th at the
beautiful Maplehurst Manor in Maitland. Despite the snowy conditions,
over fifty people from across Leeds and Grenville, and as far away as
Kingston participated. Representatives from service providers, refugee
sponsorship groups, municipalities, and government organizations
participated. Individuals from a number of different countries
attended as well, adding to the richness of discussions.
Attendees heard from Marc-Andre Ranger from Immetis Immigration Law,
which highlighted the different pathways that people access to immigrate
to Canada. Immigration Partnership staff led an Express entry
exercise that demonstrated how the Express Entry program works and the
requirements that applicants need to meet to be successful. Lastly,
real-life immigrant settlement challenges were discussed in groups with
potential solution identified and presented.
As well, this year's Diversity Day included the launch of the new Leeds
and Grenville Immigration Portal. For the past year, the City of
Brockville, the Immigration Partnership, MDB Insight (A private
consultant), and local partners have been working to refresh the
original portal that was launched in 2010. The Portal is an online
resource that supports potential and existing immigrants, service
providers, and communities. Check it out here. The revamped website is easier to use, has more information, and is being made available in multiple languages.
It was a great day, and a huge thank you to everyone who was able to attend! We're already looking forward to next year's event!
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COUNCIL MEMBER FEATURE
Volunteer Centre of St. Lawrence-Rideau
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The Volunteer Centre of St. Lawrence – Rideau is a registered non-profit
charity that promotes volunteerism by connecting people with
opportunities to serve in the St. Lawrence – Rideau region. The
Volunteer Centre provides leadership to, and builds the capacity of,
volunteer programs in our community, and we celebrate volunteers. Our
mandate is to promote volunteerism; build capacity for effective local
volunteering; provide leadership on issues relating to volunteerism; and
connect people with opportunities to serve.
Throughout its 37-year history, the Volunteer Centre has played a vital
role in building community capacity by providing leadership
opportunities, training, and placement for volunteers in non-profit
organizations, and creating a sense of belonging and inclusion in the
community for volunteers. The Volunteer Centre has served non-profit
organizations through the promotion of volunteerism, the recruitment and
referral of volunteers, education and networking support to agencies
and individuals. The organization focuses on impacting Strong
Communities through Community Engagement by supporting more than 30
local non-profits through their programs.
The mission of the Volunteer Centre is simple, they want to foster
excellence and leadership in volunteerism through programs, services and
support. This has led them to be involved in everything from festivals
to after-school programs, parades to dance performances, and barbecues
to craft fairs. All while holding the same vision, of having Leeds and
Grenville be a vibrant, caring community where volunteers enrich lives
and people feel connected.
In 2017 alone, they provided service to nearly 4000 people in nine
municipalities throughout Leeds and Grenville. They over 700 high school
students complete over 4000 community hours, and completed 2800 tax
returns for low income earners. All this, and screening and referring
nearly 250 volunteers, was done for the Leeds and Grenville community in
just one year.
You can learn more about the Centre and get involved on their website.
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LOCAL SPOTLIGHT
The Village of Maitland
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DID YOU KNOW?
- It was originally settled by the French in the 1750s and named Point au Baril.
- After the French were forced out and the area was settled by the
English, the settlement was renamed Maitland after Sir Peregrine
Maitland, the Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada at the time.
- Maitland had the first school in Augusta Township, which was called Johnstown Grammar School.
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CELEBRATING
Mardi Gras
Also known as Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras is the events and celebrations
that lead up to Ash Wednesday, which is the start of the Lent
season. For 2019, Mardi Gras will be on March 5th. The date is
different each year, just like Easter.
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During Mardi Gras, many people dress up, join parades, or indulge in the rich and fatty foods that are often given up for Lent.
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Check It Out!
Famous Mardi Gras Celebrations Around the World
Mardi Gras is often seen as a time to
indulge before the strictness of Lent, and that has caused celebrations
around the world to evolve into colourful, fun-filled spectacles that
celebrate life and laughter.
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1. New Orleans, USA
One of the most famous Mardi Gras celebration is in New Orleans,
Louisiana. Celebrations include parades, masque balls, and a lot of food
and drink!
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2. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Brazilian Carnival features parades, dancing (especially samba), and a
samba competition. It is also the largest carnival in the world!
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3. Barranquilla's Carnival, Colombia
The Barranquilla's Carnival features multiple parades, music, and the
"death" of Joselito, who is mourned and buried multiple times during the
day as a way of marking the end of the celebrations, but who will
revive for next year's carnival.
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4. Rheinischer Karneval, Germany
The Karneval in Germany, especially the most famous one in Cologne,
features, parades, balls, comedy performances, and stage shows.
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5. Carnival, Southern Netherlands
One of the big things in the Dutch Carnival, is role reversals and role
playing, where people dress up and act as a character. Often times these
costumes aren't politically or socially correct, and often have a
message. The Canival also does parades, cabaret, music, and
performances.
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PARTNER UPDATES
TR Leger Immigrant Services
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New Address
TR Leger Adult ESL, STEP, and Immigrant Services are all located in the
Plaza at 163 Ormond Street. ESL classes run Tuesday through Thursday
with one group in the morning and a different group in the afternoon.
STEP (Skills Training, Employment Preparation) classes are Mon through
Thursday 8:30 – 1:30. The office is open 9:00-3:30 Tues and Thurs and 9-
12:00 on Wednesday, if they are not working in another community.
They also do language assessments on a needs basis at other times.
People are asked to call ahead to make appointments if they are
interested in any of our programs. The number for STEP and ESL is
613-345-3175. Immigrant services may be reached via cell phone
613-803-0653. The office phone is 613-345-6781, but it does not have
voice mail yet.
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New Families Arrived
Refugees for Brockville is honoured to have assisted in the welcome of
four new Canadian families this November. Three local sponsorship groups
that have sponsored before, Agape, United Welcome, and Open Arms
Brockville all chose to open their hearts again to three new families
from all over the world and one new sponsorship group was formed.
Blessed Brockville, as the new group has called itself, has already
received the attention of local and national media outlets, as well as
the UNHCR. The group is made up of new Canadians who themselves came to
Brockville in the last three years who wanted to help others as they had
been helped themselves. This group sponsored a Syrian family of eight
who is settling into the community with the help of Blessed Brockville,
the local Imam Ahmad Khadra (also part of Blessed Brockville), and
Brockville’s Muslim community. CBC News was one hand at the Ottawa
airport when Blessed Brockville members greeted the new family with tea,
handshakes, Canada flag pins and very warm and welcoming smiles – the
link to this beautiful meeting can be found here.
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EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT
Training & Seminars
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Applying Online
October 15, 2018 from 10:00 am—12:00 pm South Grenville Employment Resource Centre, 191 King St East, Prescott
This workshop covers 2 types of online applications: 1) applying via email and 2) applying using
online applications through a company’s website, with a heavier focus on applying via
email. Email applications covers a) creating an email address and sending an email, b) naming
a file and keeping files organized, and c) converting files and file formats.
More information here.
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Computer Basics & Introduction to Microsoft Word
October 17, 2018 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, North Grenville Employment Resource Centre, 125 Prescott St, Kemptville
Participants will learn about the very basics of a computer, from how to turn on a computer
to the difference between hardware and software. Through computer exercises you will learn
how to create, open, and save documents. Time permitting, formatting text, checking spelling
and grammar, line and paragraph spacing, and checking indents and tabs will be covered.
Want to know more? Click here
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Second Career Information Session
October 19, 2018, 10:00am
Employment and Education Centre, 105 Strowger Blvd., Brockville
Attend this information session to find out if you qualify for funding assistance for retraining.
For more info, click here!
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First aid with CPR and AED Training
Day/Time 1: October 22, 2018 from 8:00am to 4:30pm
Day/Time 2: November 3, 2018 from 8:00am to 4:30pm
St. John Ambulance, 23 Abbott Street, Brockville, ON
First Aid with CPR and AED Training being held in Brockville from 8am to 4:30pm. Various levels of training provided.
$95 for the course. For more information click here.
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COMMUNITY
Updates & Events
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Fundraising Breakfast at YMCA of Brockville and Area
October 20, 2018 from 7:30am to 12:00pm
YMCA of Brockville and Area, 345 Park Street, Brockville, ON
Join us on Saturday, October 20th at 7:30 am for a delicious breakfast sponsored by Burnbrae Farms Limited.
Cost $5, Takeout Available. Stay and bid on silent auction items until
12 pm or cheer on the teams for the Car Pull and Fire Truck Pull
activities begin at 9:00 am!
All proceeds to the YMCA of Brockville and Area Strong Kids 2018 Annual Giving Campaign
More information contact Anna at 613.342.7961 x 30
or anna.hudson@brockville.ymca.ca
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Brockville Home Hardware Rotary Clubs of Brockville 2018 Mystical Mansion
October 26, 2018 from 5:30pm to 11:30pm
1000 Islands Village, 1120 County Road 2 East, Brockville, ON
BROCKVILLE, ON - The 1000 Islands Village Ballroom and the glassed-in
Crystal Atrium will be turned into a Halloween themed setting on Friday,
October 26, welcoming costumed or non costumed guests.
All will be welcomed by spooky characters, and the evening's Master of
Ceremonies Scott Fraser. People are encouraged to arrive at 5:30 p.m.,
as the 2018 Mystical Mansion Gala gets underway.
Upon entering the Crystal Atrium, step in front of the enchanting photo
set, as photographer Andrew Kizell captures the beginning of a wonderful
evening. At the end of the evening you will walk away with a memorable
memento.
A pay-as-you-go bar will be set up for your pleasure, along with late night snacks.
The ticket prices are $75 each or $600 for a table of eight, available
after Wednesday, September 26th, at Brockville Home Hardware, 1000
Islands Toyota, Beattie Jeep Dodge Ram and Alan Brown Clothiers or any
Brockville Rotary member.
For any questions, please contact Rotarian Doris Hallett at 613-342-3679.
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BAVARIAFEST 2018
October 27, 2018 from 3:00pm to October 28, 2018 at 1:00am
Brockville Memorial Civic Centre, 100 Magedoma Blvd
Nonstop music, great food, fun and games! Bring the whole family and
experience some authentic Bavarian cuisine at an affordable price, along
with a sampling of local Craft beer, and spend the evening waltzing,
doing the Polka, and socializing in the true Bavarian tradition
For more info, click here
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Lansdowne Craft Fair
October 27, 2018 from 9:00am to 3:30pm
Lansdowne Community Centre, 1 Jessie St, Lansdowne, ON
Lansdowne Craft Fair – Sponsored by the Leeds & Thousand Islands Historical Society
Sat Oct 27 – 9:00am to 3:30pm – Admission $1.00. All proceeds go to the LTI Historical Society.
Lansdowne Community Centre. 40+ vendors. Lunch items for sale by Lansdowne Women’s Institute.
For more details, email Glennda Olivier at glenndaolivier@yahoo.com
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St Lawrence Academy Fab-boo-lous Family FUN-raiser
October 27, 2018 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Roebuck Community Centre, 7024 Cty Rd 18 RR#2, Spencerville Ontario
Come and join us for an afternoon of spook-tacular fun for the
whole family. We will be serving up some hot and tasty chilli along side
some out-of-this world Apple Crisp which will be available to take
home. There will be a halloween dance party for kids with fun and games
to entertain. Bring Your Own Pumpkin to decorate too! All funds raised
will go directly towards new playground equipment for our community.
For more details, check out the website!
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Heritage Skills Workshop: Preserving for the Winter
October 31, 2018 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Brockville Museum, 5 Henry St. Brockville, ON
Join the Brockville Museum for this year’s Heritage Skills
Workshops! These workshops are hands-on learning experiences that allow
participants to explore largely forgotten skills and techniques in an
informal setting, with museum educator Peggy Hause.
$15 per person for single programs. The cost includes all supplies. With
each workshop, participants will be able to take home the results of
their class. Advance registration is required either by purchasing your
spot in person at the museum or by calling us with a credit card number.
Please contact Peggy at phause@brockville.com or call (613) 342 4397 x
6225.
Click here for more info!
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IMMIGRATION PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL
Member Organizations
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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
Immetis - Services d'Immigration au Canada
KEYS Job Centre
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
Leeds Grenville Small Business Enterprise Centre
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Foods & Rural Affairs
Refugees for Brockville Commitee
St. Lawrence College
1000 Island Workforce Development Board
Town of Prescott
TR Leger Immigrant Services/TR Leger Services aux Immigrants
United Counties of Leeds Grenville
Upper Canada Leger Centre
Volunteer Centre of St. Lawrence-Rideau
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