Surrey LIP Blog – Welcome Week 2024: Celebrating Community Connections
September 20, 2024
Welcome Week 2024: Celebrating Community Connections
Surrey once again opened its arms to welcome newcomers at the annual Newcomer Open House hosted by the Surrey Local Immigration Partnership (LIP). This year’s event was held on September 11, 2024 at the Surrey Civic Plaza. The Open House brought together newly arrived immigrants and refugees and long-time residents to celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Surrey and obtain a better understanding of the services and resources available to support settlement and integration.
Creating Valuable Connections
Welcoming Week is a national annual initiative founded and supported by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). During the week of September 13 to 22, cities and communities across the country host and promote activities and events “to recognize and celebrate the people, places and values that help everyone feel welcome and give them a sense of belonging in their local community, no matter where they come from.” This theme was the impetus for Surrey Welcoming Week 2024, and was central to its cornerstone event, the Open House at the Civic Plaza.
Surrey LIP, a community partnership made up of 35+ community organizations and institutions dedicated to improving the settlement and integration outcomes for immigrants and refugees, organized and delivered an engaging and informative day. Attendees enjoyed learning about vital community services, from employment programs to housing assistance, English language training and more. Manvir Aujla, Manager, Surrey LIP – Research and Knowledge Sharing, summed up the week-long event’s purpose as, “Our goal for participants was for them to leave the event with their hands full of resources and brochures, feeling optimistic about their settlement journey. We wanted them to walk away knowing the supports available to them in Surrey and feeling confident that they have the tools and connections to help them succeed in their new community." Surrey LIP Manager, Tina Balachandran, added, “Our greatest hope was to cultivate an atmosphere where immigrants and refugees felt genuinely welcomed and valued…and with a strong sense of belonging and connection to their new community.”
The City’s Support and Commitment
Mayor Brenda Locke marked the occasion with a proclamation declaring September 13-22 as “Welcoming Week“in Surrey, underscoring the City’s commitment to “building bridges of understanding and collaboration” between newcomers and established residents. This is particularly important in Surrey right now, as it is expected to become the largest city in British Columbia. Currently the city welcomes approximately 27 newcomers each day, continuously growing its vibrant, multicultural community. Surrey LIP Manager, Tina Balachandran, emphasized the importance of the Mayor’s presence as well as the multiplicity of organizations present, “The buzz of conversation and connection filled the space, and it was heartening to see the Mayor visiting each community booth to learn more about their offerings. Witnessing participants actively engage with service providers and share their experiences truly embodied the spirit of collaboration and community that we strive to promote.”
Community Organizations Turns Out to Create a Settlement Hub
For the day of the event Interactive booths were set up throughout the Civic Plaza, featuring community organizations offering information about resources designed to help newcomers settle into their new lives. From employment services to family programs, the Open House offered a one-stop solution for newcomers to connect with the supports they need. Aujla, shared “we felt, the event was a success because of the number of connections it fostered, not only between newcomers and community organizations but also among the organizations themselves. Many of these groups may not have crossed paths before, and now there’s an opportunity for them to explore innovative ways of working together.”
In addition to resource booths, there were interactive activities, free giveaways, and ample opportunities for attendees to meet new friend and community members. The warm and welcoming atmosphere reflected the spirit of inclusion that the Surrey LIP strives to cultivate through events like this.
The Surrey Local Immigration Partnership continues to work towards an improved settlement system for newcomers, ensuring they have access to vital resources, support, and a strong sense of belonging in their new community. Whether you’re new to the city or a long time resident, Welcoming Week 2024 is a reminder of the importance of coming together to build a stronger, more inclusive Surrey for all.
Was the Event a Success?
The Surrey LIP team, certainly think so.
Aujla, noted the importance of the City’s proclamation stating, “this public declaration not only underscored the City’s dedication to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for newcomers, but it also reinforced how integral newcomers are to shaping Surrey’s future.” While Balachandran summed up the strength and importance of the event with, “this experience highlights the vital role of multi-level community support in overcoming the challenges of resettlement. Together, we are building a collective impact that strengthens our community and empowers newcomers to thrive.”
For more details about Welcoming Week or the activities and resources offered by the Surrey LIP, visit their website at surreylip.ca.