Newcomers to the Northumberland area will receive a Northumberland County-style welcome with the launch of the “Welcome Pass” program by the New Canadians Centre (NCC).
NCC has announced it’s now offering its newcomer-facing welcome pass program, which has been available in Peterborough for more than 15 years, in Northumberland County as well.
The program is a partnership with local businesses and organizations and is designed to welcome and acclimate newcomers to their new community by offering them access to free or selected discounted products and services.
“We are grateful to our partners in Northumberland who have opened their doors to newcomers,” Bhisham Ramoutar, NCC’s manager of community development, told kawarthaNOW.
“Through this partnership, we hope newcomers in Northumberland can discover and engage with all the region has to offer. It’s collaboration like this that truly makes this community a home.”
Six businesses and organizations in Northumberland County have stepped up and signed on to participate in the program so far: The Squishy Goose, JJ’s Steak & Burgers, The Pink Café, 241 Pizza, and YMCA Northumberland, all in Cobourg, as well as Café Lviv in Port Hope. These partners will offer discounts on meals, activities, or admissions.
“We are so proud to be a part of this wonderful initiative to welcome new families to our community,” said Squishy Goose co-owner Aleesha Hunter in a media release.
The welcome pass is valid for one year and individuals need to be Northumberland residents who have lived in Canada for less than five years to be eligible for the program.
The NCC launched the initiative more than 15 years ago at its Peterborough location, and the program has proven to be popular with both clients and the business community alike, the organization noted.
Northumberland businesses and entrepreneurs can help the NCC improve newcomer social and cultural integration by becoming a partner in the Northumberland welcome pass program.
For more information, contact Ramoutar by emailing bhisham@nccpeterborough.ca or calling 705-743-0882 ext. 220.
NCC serves more than 2,000 newcomer clients annually who access a variety of programs and services, such as settlement and employment counselling, language assessment, transitional support, workshops such as taxes and citizenship, English conversation and women’s groups, skills training, and youth programming.
The organization’s roots date back to 1979 when a group of volunteers in Peterborough committed to supporting refugees fleeing Vietnam. Since then, NCC has grown to provide a wide range of programs and services that support the empowerment and inclusion of people who are new to Canada.
In 2008, a second office location was opened in Cobourg to better serve the Northumberland region.
