A local community group has launched a new project that it hopes will make the North Shore a more inclusive place for newcomers and immigrants.
The project, titled North Shore CommUNITY, was developed by the North Shore Welcoming Action Committee and aims to raise awareness about the importance and benefits of having a welcoming community.
"When immigrants feel welcomed and included in the community, not only do they thrive as individuals, but their families thrive too. In fact, the community as a whole gets better. It's a win-win situation that we can't afford to ignore," said Elizabeth Jones, executive director of the North Shore Multicultural Society. "With more than one-third of North Shore's population being foreign born, it's important to tap into our diverse community to ensure everyone is being represented."
CommUNITY hopes to provide newcomers and residents with the information, tools and resources necessary to turn the North Shore into a more welcoming place for all newcomers.
The main component of the project is four community dialogue sessions meant to give participants an opportunity to learn more about the issues newcomers face and the development of welcoming and inclusive communities.
The first session is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier and will feature keynote speaker Lionel F. Laroche, a cultural diversity expert. The free session will focus on the impact of cultural diversity in the workplace and the community.
In addition to the dialogue sessions, other CommUNITY activities include a series of training sessions for youth and volunteers, a leadership conference and forums for employers and internationally trained workers.
For more information, visit northshorewac.ca.
