As an individual, or as part of an organization, you have the ability to make a difference in your community!
We hope these tips spark ideas of how you can make meaningful actions that contribute to a Strong, Vibrant, Community. By no means is this an exhaustive list, just a way to help generate thoughts and ideas. If you are doing something that is not on this list, we would love for you to share it with us, we’ll share it through our networks via social media and other communication platforms.
Improve Integration
- Offer a tour of the neighbourhood
- Share Canadian culture and values with a newcomer. For example, talk about sports and customs
- Invite newcomers to come with you to Canadian cultural events and festivals. A list of events can be found on Pembina Valley Online Events Calendar
- Sports opportunities:Altona Millennium Exhibition Centre, Morden Parks and Recreation, Winkler Parks and Recreation
- Arts and culture programs in Winkler, Pembina Valley, and Altona
Improve Engagement
- Make yourself the “go-to” person for a newcomer if they have any questions
- Be a newcomer’s contact in case they need something. They might not have anyone
- Learn what organizations and resources are available in your community so you can help to make referrals and connections
- Share the successes of newcomers in your community, i.e., in community papers or at your place of worship
Support Diversity
- Learn some common phrases in a newcomers language
- Listen to a newcomers story
- Acknowledge news and events happening in home countries. Some newcomers have left turmoil and family/friends who may be suffering
- Chat with newcomers about the culture and background of their home country
- If you immigrated to Canada, share your story and experience with a newcomer. Help people understand the barriers and challenges new immigrants face
- Be patient with language barriers
- Learn cultural references and etiquette. Thumbs up might NOT mean OK to everyone
- Take the time to learn a newcomers name, and the proper way to pronounce it
- Learn some interesting demographic facts of your neighbourhood, i.e. the number of newcomers and their countries of birth
Volunteer
- Volunteer with a newcomer. Info available at Regional Connections
- Participate in initiatives and committees that are committed to building strong, vibrant communities