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OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, July 29, 2009 · 8 Living Oakville Beaver LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Phone: 905-337-5560 Fax: 905-337-5571 e-mail: ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com Home is what you make it and NIC helps Last May, "NIC" drove into town in an RV, parked at the plaza at 171 Speers Rd. and set about getting known in the community -- as well as helping others navigate the community. NIC especially wants other newcomers not to feel alone or overwhelmed at setting up a new life in a new community. NIC is the federal Newcomers' Information Centre sponsored by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). With four other sites in Brampton and Mississauga, the need was so great in Oakville, that NIC didn't wait for its new office space in Unit 20 of the plaza to be completed -- but rather set up shop in a bus borrowed from another federal program. Don't be misled however. This RV offers a unique e-mail service that is international in nature and guarantees a response within two days. This RV is fully equipped with computers, faxes and more -- as well as a good number of staff to address any requests, problems or otherwise that may walk through its door. And, it is not only "connected" at the plaza, but also connected to the community as networking is as important a priority to its staff as is helping community residents. It is through that networking, that NIC staff is able to correctly guide newcomers and others to the best agency, organization or otherwise to address their issue. "For newcomers, studies have shown that the first year is crucial for them to get the right information to integrate properly into society," said information counsellor Maria Deguzman. If all that is not enough, NIC doesn't stop at addressing only newcomers to Canada. It operates under the auspices of the Centre for Education and Training. Officially, it has no eligibility requirements so that newcomers, long-established immigrants, refugees and anyone else, from youths to seniors, are welcome through its doors. "If there's a problem, people can come to us," said Antonina Boulkanova, team leader of the Oakville campus. "We do serve newcomers, but we're not limited to serving newcomers. There is no eligibility criteria," said Jose Aguilar, information counsellor. Aguilar agreed that the first year is critical for newcomers to get accurate and timely information and that's why NICs were established in 2001. However, the presence of other needs for similar referrals and information in communities saw NICs open their doors to all. "There is such a strong need in Oakville for our services, it was decided to begin our services as early as possible," said Aguilar, noting the permanent office should be open by NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER NIC'S DOOR IS OPEN: The Oakville Newcomer Information Centre (NIC) provides up-to-date and accurate information about all government programs.Its welcoming staff includes: Information Counsellor Jose Aguilar (clockwise from bottom left), Information Counsellor Camelia Bobb, Information Counsellor Maria Deguzman,Team Leader Antonina Boulkanova and Administrative Assistant Mostafa Elnaggar. See NIC page 9 Vision ­ To be the most livable town in Canada e a Difference Join a Town of Oakville Committee and Mak Mayor Rob Burton and Oakville Town Council invite you to apply to serve on a Town Committee and help make Oakville the most livable town in Canada. Currently there are vacancies on the following committees: Accessibility Advisory Committee (1 position available) Oakville Public Library Board (1 position available) Further details, committee descriptions and application forms are available on the town's website at www.oakville.ca/advisory.asp or from the Clerk's Department at Oakville Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road. For more information about the appointment procedure, please call Andrea Zampieri, Clerk's Department at 905-845-6601, ext. 3136, or e-mail azampieri@oakville.ca. Volunteer ­ you can make a difference! EMANCIPATION DAY FAMILY PICNIC For years after the end of the American Civil War, African Canadians from across Ontario would gather for a picnic at August 3, 2009 George's Square (Reynolds Street and Sumner Avenue) George's Square in Oakville to celebrate their emancipation, and the historic role Oakville played in securing their 1 to 4 p.m. freedom. This year, recreate this tradition with your family. Bring your picnic basket and enjoy: For more information contact the Oakville Museum at Erchless Leslie McCurdy in her one-woman show, Estate at 905-338-4400 or www.oakvillemuseum.ca. The Spirit of Harriet Tubman Music from the Muhtadi World Drummers and the Halton Steel Band Presented by the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate, in partnership with the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton.