Welcome Week aims to foster connection, sense of belonging for region's newcomers

A new event that kicked off on Friday aims to give newcomers in Waterloo region a chance to connect with the community and learn more about local services available in the region.

Welcome Week has been celebrated in other parts of the world for the past decade and across Canada for the last three years. This is the first year the region will hostWelcome Week from Sept. 9 to the 18.

It's a time to welcomefamilies and people who are new to Waterloo region and highlight the work local organizations do in the community to support them,said Tara Bedard, executive director of Immigration Partnership, who is leading the event.

"This week is really about anyone who's come in new to thiscommunity, immigrants or others, making sure they know they are welcomed here and that we're glad they chose this community as their place to call home and that they belong here," she said.

Bedard said the number of newcomers to the region has significantly increased in recent years. She said in 2015 it was normal to see about 3,500permanent residents come to the area. That number jumped to almost 9,000 in 2021.

"The federal governmenthas been on a clear path to increase immigration into Canada overall over the last eight to 10 years and we're definitelyseeing that in Waterloo region," she said.

Plentyof events and activities planned

Immigration Partnershipworked with partnerslike the YMCA, local libraries and multicultural centres, said Bedard,to hosteventsand activitiesthroughout the week to helpnewcomersget to know their new home.

Zeri Zigeta with KinbridgeCommunity Association in Cambridge said they were excited to be part of Welcome Week this year.

"Cambridge has seen a lot of newcomers and our purpose is to ensure that they aren't just coming here, but that we build a sense of belonging and that Cambridge is a welcoming place for them," he said.

Kinbridge's Newcomer Outreach Program is hostinga picnic event on Saturday, set to showcasea diversity of cultural music and foods, Zigeta said.

Other events happening during Welcome Weekrange from conversation circles to information nights, arts and paint night, as well asGrand River Transit's ride a bus program.

Building a sense of belonging

Fostering connections anda sense of belonging for newcomers living in Waterloo region are major pillars of Welcome Week, said Bedard, especially this year as communitiescome out of the pandemic.

"Now that we're able to get together again, it's really important for us to demonstratewelcoming, belonging and for people to not feel isolated and that they feel socially connected and feel good about where they live," she said.

Zigeta echoes Bedar's comments, saying the hope is for people to build a home in the community.

"A lot of these events did not existwhen I came so being able to prove that to our newcomers is beneficial," he said.

"This is who we are. This is our identity and something that we're proud of and hopefully this won't be the last year and hope that next year we'll be able to do it again."