in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, F eb ru ar y 3, 20 22 | 6 FREE Design Consultation: (289) 812-8952 | shelfgenie.com CUSTOM GLIDE-OUT SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR EXISTING CABINETS CDC SAFETY GU ID EL IN ES W E'R E FOLLOWING • Full Service Design & Install • Lifetime Warranty • Custom to the Millimetre CUSTOM GLIDE-OUT SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR EXISTING CABINETS • Full Service Design & Install • Lifetime Warranty • Custom to the Millimetre Do you know someone between the ages of 6 - 17 who is making a difference within their community? Nominate them for an ONTARIO JUNIOR CITIZEN AWARD DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 11, 202240TH ANNIVERSARY Brought to you by Nomination forms are available from this newspaper, and at www.ocna.org/juniorcitizen. Email jr.citizen@ocna.org for more information.NOMINATIONS WANTED The following is the start of a three-part series exam- ining the challenges facing immigrant families moving here. Next week we explore how newcomers put down roots in Halton. For one Pakistani new- comer family who now calls Oakville home, mov- ing to Canada during the height of the pandemic was another unexpected chap- ter in their journey. The eerily empty air- port that greeted them a year and a half ago set the stage for more uncertain- ties, but Syed -- who asked that his full name not be used -- along with his wife and kids maintained their hope for the best. "These are things you don't expect happening. No matter how much you pre- pare yourself, it's always an uphill climb when you get there," he said. Syed said he was fortu- nate to have secured an apartment through a friend. Still, the first few weeks of being quaran- tined and not knowing any- one else were not easy, as his goal of landing a job as soon as possible met the harsh pandemic reality. "No one was hiring," he recalled. Trying to stay positive was easier said than done. But he pushed himself to explore all avenues and op- portunities, as well as reaching out to organiza- tions that offer resources for newcomers. According to a Halton Newcomer Strategy re- port, there were more than 160,000 immigrants living in Halton in 2016, re- presenting about 30 per cent of the total population. This is higher than the pro- vincial average of 29 per cent and national average of 22 per cent. One organization that helps newcomer families across Halton and Missis- sauga navigate their "unique settlement jour- ney" is Centre for Skills De- velopment -- which listed information related to set- tlement, English language training, employment, housing, local and govern- ment services and trans- portation as among the top priorities for newcomers. Alice Maroti, a settle- ment manager with the agency, said their job fo- cuses on providing infor- mation, referrals and sup- port. This covers anything from how to open a bank account and how the school system works to how to apply for citizen- ship. "The great thing about Centre for Skills and the wraparound service that we have is that we can cus- tomize it and can tailor it," she said. For people experiencing culture shock and strug- gling with mental health, there's a newcomer sup- port coach that can work closely with them to pro- vide mental health support and ensure well-being dur- ing challenging times. Amid the pandemic dis- ruptions, Joanne Graham, a senior program co-ordi- nator that oversees the set- tlement team, said in an email that the agency went "above and beyond" to maintain tailored services to clients and students. Similar organizations, namely Halton Multicul- tural Council Connections and the mentoring pro- gram at Sheridan College, have helped Syed in chart- ing his path to employment -- from volunteering at a pharmacy to becoming a pharmacy assistant. He now works as a project manager at a pharmaceuti- cal company. Looking back, Syed said he was motivated to chase his goal and settle in. His family is enjoying life, even the biting winter cold, in a pretty quiet Oakville neighbourhood but still ac- cessible and "in the middle of everything." His take-away from his experience is to be flexible and be proactive in seeking advice and support. "Help is there, but it's not going to come to you," he said. "You also have to fight your way through." STORY BEHIND THE STORY: As a destination for many newcomers, we wanted to hear from a local family on their jour- ney on putting down roots in Halton Region and the available support system. A NEWCOMER FAMILY'S JOURNEY SETTLING IN HALTON Joanne Graham (left), Senior Coordinator, EIS and Partnership Development, and Alice Maroti, settlement specialist at Centre for Skills Development, help newcomers settle in Halton. Graham Paine/Metroland BAMBANG SADEWO bsadewo@metroland.com NEWS ORGANIZATIONS OFFER RESOURCES FOR NEW IMMIGRANTS