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Supporting newcomers to Canada in feeling at home on the North Island

The Immigrant Welcome Centre is a registered non-profit charity that offers settlement support services
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Immigrant Welcome Centre’s outreach worker Stephen McNeil in the Port McNeill office. (Submitted photo)

Have you ever relocated to a different city? It can be a stressful experience. There are so many things you have to take care of, such as finding housing, a job, a doctor, maybe a daycare or a school for your children, not to mention feeling alone and having to find ways to meet new friends.

Now, imagine moving to a new country. All these difficulties are amplified by the fact that you might not speak the language very well, and there are cultural differences that are hard to understand. Integrating into a new community can be overwhelming, and without the proper support and resources, it can be
even more daunting.

That's where the Immigrant Welcome Centre enters the scene by offering settlement services and community-building resources. Settlement services provide support in various areas, such as finding housing, learning English, navigating the education and healthcare systems, and understanding employment opportunities. These services also include cultural orientation and community connections to help newcomers adjust to their new surroundings.

Since April 2022, the Immigrant Welcome Centre's office in Port McNeill has been actively supporting newcomers who relocated to the North Island. It's open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm at 311 Hemlock Street in the Community Futures office. Outreach worker Stephen McNeil also travels to Port Hardy on a regular basis to provide services there. Please call 250-201-8745 or email Stephen.Mcneil@immigrantwelcome.ca to book an appointment in Port McNeill or Port Hardy.

When newcomers to an area feel welcomed and supported, they are more likely to integrate successfully and thrive in their new environment, contributing to strengthen the social fabric and resilience of the community.

The Immigrant Welcome Centre is a registered non-profit charity that offers settlement support services, nationally-recognized Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC), and social groups and programs to help newcomers make connections in their new communities.

For more information about services and programs please call 250-830-0171 (Campbell River), 250-338-6359 (Comox Valley), or visit www.immigrantwelcome.ca. Follow the IWC on Facebook and Instagram. 



About the Author: North Island Gazette Staff

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