Isolation is the number 1 struggle of newly arrived immigrants / newcomers in the community. How many ways can you make newcomers feel welcomed and included in your neighborhood?

There are many simple things that your association can do; here are some tricks tips to start with: 

1. Invite new Canadians to block parties, ask a long time Canadian with same origin to knock on their door & explain what it is and what is expected of their participation.
2. When events involved food, best to inquire of the cultural /religious diet and activity constraints of the diverse members of the neighborhood (e.g. Halal for Muslims, vegetarian for Hindus & Sikhs, kosher for Jews, activities for PWDs, children and seniors).
3. Ensure that non-English speaking or those that have limited English are given opportunity to participate in meetings by having someone from that community interpret for them.  Pair them with long time immigrants for succeeding information sessions & follow-up.
4. Put up signs or information about your association in languages that make up your community, e.g. Punjabi, Hindi, Korean, Tagalog and Chinese. Use Google translation or any other open software but ensure to check with someone who speaks it as first language.
5. Organize home visits to newly arrived immigrants to welcome them in the neighborhood & assign groups tour them around the various sites in Abbotsford, shopping malls & business district, parks, and worship places, and recreation facilities. 
6. Connect newly arrived newcomers to the various community resources available for them from service-providers, educational institutions, municipality services & facilities, banks and hospitals, and other free-of-cost settlement programs.  
7. Facilitate ‘getting to know’ conversations with new neighbors to expand their networks & make new friends, and identify common interests and hobbies, other fun ways to stay connected.
8. Create walking, cycling, tours & other appropriate activities for seniors, children, and home-staying caregivers, including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and ESL communities.
9. Demonstrate pride in cultural identity by supporting commemoration cultural/religious events such as Hannukah, Vaisakhi, Diwali, Chinese New Year, Ukrainian New Year, and Christmas in your neighborhood.
10. Keep a calendar of the important dates being celebrated by families and groups in your area. This will alert organizers of the possible conflict with some of their cultural and religious observance.

To learn more about ways the City can assist Neighborhoods to grow and develop, contact our City Community Developer at commdevelopment@abbotsford.ca or call at 604.557.1464.