New Friendship Program creates opportunities for newcomers
Over 30 newcomers got an opportunity to integrate more into the community and interact with other persons from across the world, at the launch of the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council’s new “Friendship Program.”
The Friendship Program was launched at the Newcomer Welcome Center on Monday, February 12. It is geared towards helping newcomers settle conformably in the community and learn about different groups and organizations that can provide them with information to help to further integrate.
Melissa Mitchell, Community Connections Coordinator at the Multicultural Council says the program also aims to help newcomers practice their English language skills. “The goal of the Friendship Program is to help newcomers integrate into the community and learn from each other, as well as other people in the community. With this program, they also get to practice their English and build bonds and friendships within the community.” Persons in the Friendship Program will get to meet once per month and participate in different activities; the location of those meetings will vary. “We’ll try to do something different each month or meet somewhere different based on the activities we have. We’ll keep persons informed about the location whether it’s through our so- cial media or other means so that people will know where the meetings will be held and what will be happening. The community is invited to come out and be part of this program to interact with people from around the world. We’ll also be making matches so that persons can create bonds and exchange knowledge on culture and lots more.”
Mokhtar Houan, who is from Sudan, says he is looking forward to what the Friendship Program has to offer, especially practicing more English speaking. “I love the program already. I am excited to practice more English because it is not my first language. Generally, we speak Arabic in my country so this is a good program for me. I’ve been here for 1 year and 7 months and when I came here, I could not speak any English because I never went to school in my country. I have a lot of dreams that I want to accomplish and I know I’ll achieve them and this is one of the steps in making sure that happens. This is a great opportunity for me.” Some of the activities that will be incorporated into the Friendship Program are: learning about Canadian culture; fun games; practicing English through interaction and lots more. For more information on the program or how you can get involved, call the Multicultural Council at (306) 693-4677 or visit them at 60 Athabasca St E, Moose Jaw.