After two years of virtual programs, Welcome Centre Immigrant Services in Newmarket has been welcoming clients back into the building and held an open house this week to celebrate the centre being open for business.
"It's the first time we've really done anything where we were able to get everybody together," said Ian Richie, senior director of access services at Social Enterprise for Canada (SEC), in the wake of pandemic restrictions.
SEC is a Newmarket-based not-for-profit organization and one of the partners that manages and supports the Welcome Centres in York Region.
Ritchie attended the well-attended open house at the Newmarket centre Sept. 14, along with Welcome Centre staff and representatives from partner organizations, members of York Regional Police, Mayor John Taylor, Deputy Mayor Tom Vegh and Councillor Kelly Broome.
As well, some of the centre's clients came to the open house event, which involved some speeches, booths set up with information about the services provided, prize draws, and cake.
For a number of those clients, they have recently returned to the building for the first time in two years, with in-person language classes starting up again just this month. After the class they were able to enjoy some cake, coffee and social time with other clients, one of the benefits of being back in the building.
Language classes are just one of the services offered by the Welcome Centre. It also offers job support, accreditation, services for youth, women, and seniors, among others.
"If there's any immigrants that are living in York Region, wherever you are, and you need settlement services or language services, or help with accreditation or certification, any assistance you need. Come to the Welcome Center. Even if we don't do it, we will find out how to do it for you," Ritchie said. "We offer a one-stop shop where you can come into one Welcome Centre, and you should be able to get all the services you need."
There are Welcome Centres in Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, two in Markham, Pickering, and Ajax as well as a mobile unit that offers services to clients in York and Simcoe. All the centres are holding open houses, some of which are upcoming in the next two weeks.
