Welcoming Communities Program
The Welcoming Communities Program brings together newcomers to Canada and established community residents for friendship, sharing, and learning.
There are two ways someone can join our Welcoming Communities program. As a: (a) newcomer; (b) volunteer. Through the Welcoming Communities program, newcomers
learn about living in Canada, practice speaking English, and make connections in their new community. The Welcoming Communities Program also encourages those who have been in Canada
for more than three years and willing to support newcomers to volunteer their time to this worthy cause.
Through Rexdale Women’s Centre’s Welcoming Communities Program, we will match community volunteers and newcomers,
as individuals or as families, to offer in-depth assistance and support to newcomers.
These volunteers help their new friends to learn about daily living in Canada and to explore with them their community resources. As a result of this mentorship, the Welcoming Communities newcomers
receive friendly support from their mentor/s and their mentors (volunteers) learn about diverse homelands and cultures, and gain a greater appreciation for the immigrants' experiences.
Rexdale Women’s Centre's Welcoming Communities Program offers:
The Newcomer Family Drop-In Program: is designed for children from 2 to 12 years of age. The program promotes the development of language, cognitive, sensory,
creativity and gross motor skills development. This program is available to newcomer children and their parents who have limited knowledge of English language.
While children are busy learning and creating, parents are involved in workshops and seminars that help them develop better parenting skills. Parents learn more about their
children’s development and are encouraged to use these techniques at home in order to continue the growth of newly acquired skills and at the same time foster positive learning
opportunities for their children.
English Conversation Circle (ECC): Through the English Conversation Circle, participants have an opportunity to practice every day English language skills and build self-confidence.
This is a great venue for newcomers who are interested in increasing their fluency in English.
Cooking Club: There is an Irish proverb "Laughter is brightest, in the place where the food is." Through our Cooking Club activities, participants share recipes from
all over the world and cook healthy meals while at the same time networking with other program participants. It is a great way to meet new people, make new friends and enhance
cultural awareness by learning and understanding other cultures.
Movie Night: Participants watch family oriented movies which generate lively discussions about their experiences and views towards various aspects of life.
This is a great opportunity for newcomers to also practice their English skills and to develop networking opportunities.
Volunteering for Welcoming Communities:
To become a Welcoming Communities Volunteer, individuals must be 18 years of age or older and a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident for more than 5 years,
be knowledgeable about the community, be open to learning about and appreciating other cultures and be able to volunteer for about 2 hours a week, for at least 6 months.
What Do Welcoming Communities Volunteers Do?
Volunteers join the Welcoming Communities Program because they want to give back to their community. What they receive in return is friendship and fun,
knowledge of international languages and cultures, a greater appreciation and understanding of the immigrant experience and a sense of accomplishment in building a welcoming community.
English Conversation Circle (ECC):
 |
Location: |
21 Panorama crt.
Suite 23 |
| Etobicoke, Ontario |
| M9V 4E3 |
 |
Time: |
| Every Wednesday |
| 5:30pm - 7:30pm |
|
Cooking Club:
|
Location: |
21 Panorama Crt.
Suite 23 |
| Etobicoke, Ontario |
| M9V 4E3 |
|
Time: |
| Every other Monday |
| 1:00am - 1:00pm |
|
Movie Night:
|
Location: |
21 Panorama Crt.
Suite 23 |
| Etobicoke, Ontario |
| M9V 4E3 |
|
Time: |
| Every third Wednesdays |
| of the Month |
| 5:30pm - 7:30 pm |
Volunteers:
