Welcome Centre Immigrant Services in Newmarket is opening its doors to the community with an open house event on Sept. 14.
The Welcome Centre offers settlement services, employment help, language training, programs for youth, seniors, and women. During the pandemic it had to switch to virtual and hybrid services but now that they've been back in person for several months, Jeff Kariuki, the director of newcomer employment & entrepreneurship services, said he wants people to know they're open.
"We want the community to know that we're open for business," he said. "We want to be able to celebrate all of the amazing things that have happened within the last year."
The Welcome Centre aims to provide access to a number of services all under one roof. Kariuki said the open house is to celebrate the centre but also educate the community and newcomers on what's available.
"We have a lot of Ukrainian clients who are coming in. We have Afghanistan refugees, as well. So it's really just to advertise the services that we offer," he said.
It will also provide newcomers with an opportunity to meet other newcomers, community members, and service partners.
"This is a great opportunity to come and meet other Canadians and for those newcomers (for whom) English is not their first language. It's a great experience to be able to work on your English skills and to meet your neighbours and to meet staff," Kariuki said.
While the services are directed primarily at newcomers, the open house is open to anybody who is interested in learning more about the Welcome Centre. Kariuki said there will be tours of the centre, tables set up representing each of their services, entertainment and refreshments.
The open house is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Welcome Centre Newmarket office at 16655 Yonge St., unit 26.
