Dozens of guests showed up for CONTACT Community Services' inaugural Newcomer Event at the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library on Wednesday.
The event, hosted in partnership with Bradford Immigrant Community Services, welcomed newcomers to the area to mix and mingle and learn about some of the services offered by the town and local organizations, such as the BWG Library, The Clothes Line thrift shop, the YMCA, and South Simcoe Police.
"We are very excited to be able to offer this to the community," said CONTACT's Executive Director Emily McIntosh. "The goal of the event is to provide the resources and opportunity for newcomers to get to know the community and the services that are available free of charge to them. We are here to support their journey into Canada and we are excited about that."
CONTACT's Employment Services Manager Ram Mohan noted, as a newcomer to the area himself a few years ago, it can be difficult to navigate through the support services available for new residents.
"The purpose of this event is to meet, network, get to know each other and all the services the community has to offer and to make this place comfortable for you to live and grow," he said.
Mayor James Leduc and members of council also attended the event to meet with the residents.
"If there is anything you need, reach out to the town, we are here to help, that is what we are here for," he said. "On behalf of council and the residents of Bradford West Gwillimbury, thank you, welcome to our community and we look forward to a long-term relationship where we can grow together."
"CONTACT Community Services is really part of the social architecture of our town and sometimes we don't see the work they do but it is greatly valued," said Coun. Jonathan Scott. "A chance to welcome and support newcomers who enrich our community, from Ukraine to the Middle East, Africa to South America, shows really the best of what it means to be Canadian."
Guests were able to mingle while light refreshments and pizza, provided by Boston Pizza Bradford.
Enas Abbo was at the event with her two young children, getting familiar with the programs and services offered in town. She and her family first moved to Canada three years ago from Iraq.
"We want to see (what the town has to offer), we are new here in this area," she said.
Farsi and Turkish translators were also on hand to help interpret messages and information for some of the guests.
McIntosh says CONTACT hopes to offer the event again in the summer where guests can mix and mingle outside at a picnic-style event.
CONTACT Community Services is a registered charity with a 40-year history of working in the communities of South Simcoe.
To learn more about CONTACT Community Services visit their website here.
The organization is currently hosting their 'A Home for the Holidays' auction, in support of the Community Hope Chest initiative, helping those in need. The auction runs until Dec. 15. To learn more, click here.