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HB NEWS SUPPORTS AVAILABLE TO HELP NEWCOMERS SETTLE IN HALTON MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@ metroland.com The following is the final instalment in a three-part se- ries exploring experiences for immigrant families com- ing to Halton. Newcomers to Halton can face their share of chal- lenges as they work to estab- lish roots in the community. From finding a place to live to securing a new job and enrolling their children in school, the to-do list can to accomplish these things are unfamiliar. For those who choose to make Halton Hills — or its fellow Halton municipali- ties — their home, there are several services that make the task of settling in a new town or city a bit easier. Leading the pack is Hal- ton Multicultural Council (HMC) Connections, which has offices across the region offering a full range of sup- ports for newcomers to help ‘into the com- pent "The first thing people will come to us for is settle- ment (services). We do a needs assessment to deter- it _the person or Mien sort of like the yellow pasith shelter topping the Figueroa, Xiaoou Chen, Samantha Wijetillake, Christine Hall, Angela Chaves and Treena Carson hosts within Milton. To- Ss ties over a period five months, which in the past has included things like congo drum circles, martial arts classes, Bhangra danc- ing, French food cooking classes and more. "We've had a really excit- ing response to the pro- gram. We're very proud of it," said program co-ordina- tor Kaitlyn Patience. "It's a good way to intro- duce the participants to what the community has to offer in terms of arts and culture.” Graham Paine/| Metroland HMC Connections staff (from left) Sophy Rizkalla, Babur Mobarak, Paula Castano, Sonia offer many support programs for newcomers. In the process of having fun, Patience said the pro- list of priorities for newcom- gram also helps newcomers mkinson said HMC " H H overcome feelings of isola- Connections offers. some Mentoring can be professional and tion and create connections transitional housing to help in the community, often those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness while they search for per- manent accommodations in " Halton. able to connect. Up next is employment, which newcomers deem one of their highest needs upon _ ing: job search workshops, arrival, noted Jenkinson. mock interviews, job fairs, "They're coming in with networking events, and in- degrees and years ofexperi- formation sessions on em- ence, and they're hoping to ployment S. get a job equivalent to where The agency also has spe- they left," she said. cialty employment pro- “Often they have to step grams for low level English down a rung to get Canadi- speakers, and a career ac- an experience and then celerator program for inter- move up." nationally trained health- other employ- care professionals. ment offices, HMC Connec- ther services ‘include a tions strictly focuses on program where ping newcomers find participants learn to speak jobs, with services includ- English, and a mentoring networking, but it can also be social if a family is finding they're really not DOWNTOWN GEORGETOWN 83 Mill St | 905 873 1867 GIDDENS OPTOMETRY ‘We are open but due to the current ae situation we are seein patients by appointment only. f you are planning a visit (for routine eye examinations, eyewear purchase and repair, contact lens pick up etc), please contact us in advance and we will arrange an appointment time for you. This will help to ensure we keep OPTOMETRY = = METRO PLAZA 371 Mountainview Rd S | 905 873 1861 Please phor (se Dr. Ben = Giddens Dr. Andrea Dr. Stephanie Kozma Britton end of their time together. Some newcomers enjoy the experience so much they return the following - 7 year as a host. Such was the ~ Kim Jenkinson case for Ayesha Tauseds program that Jenkinson who joined the pro; said sees 150 participants a 2019 with her husband a and year. two children, then came “Mentoring can be pro- back asa host family in 2020. fessional and networking, "We a it time with but it can also be social ifa the Friendship Project. family is finding they're re- There were lots of re: ally not able to connect," she said. One unique initiative helping newcomers connect with the community is Arts [o} Milton's Friendship Project. = The program, now in its q fifth year, connects new- comers with community HALTON SUPPORT PROGRAMS HMC Connections: hmeconnections.com Halton Housing Help: https://bit.ly/3AUU1n3 Employment Halton: https://bit.ly/3AQrINWw Halton Hills Newcomer Resources Program: https://bit.ly/30PPRIn ‘Subsidized Passes for Low Income Transit: https://bit.ly/Sriydyy ‘Ontario Works provincial income support program: https://bit.ly/3olPpRU Arts Milton Friendship Project: artsmilton.com Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: https://bit.ly/349CeNb has a full list of newcomer services that can be searched using a postal code. id. “Being a newcomer, you don't have a lot of exposure to how things work. So this (experience) actually really helps you settle in and meet new people." STORY BEHIND THE es, wanted to take a closer look at the resources available in Halton that help newcomers establish themselves in the community. ‘SCAN THESE CODES for parts 1 and 2 in this series. NEW PATIENTS WELCOME EMERGENCY APPOINTMENTS SAME DAY Z Ne = MARKETPLACE DENTAL 280 Guelph St (in Georgetown Market Place) 905-877-CARE (ra) www.georgetowndental.com Se 9 Hill ce 1994 UONEH - dl UL | 2 4 Fy zZ a iy £ o g 5 2 a 8 8