Welcoming Week 2025!

Welcoming Week is an annual opportunity to recognize and celebrate the people, places, and values that help everyone feel welcome and foster a sense of belonging in their community, no matter where they come from. Taking place in September, it also highlights the important work of immigrant settlement organizations in this space. Welcoming Week is a great opportunity to raise awareness of these initiatives.

Successful integration is a two-way street: the more welcoming communities are, the more newcomers feel at home and contribute locally.

If you’d like to join us in celebrating Welcoming Week by sharing information about events that welcome newcomers and the broader community to Waterloo Region, reach out! We encourage you to design activities that resonate locally, considering what events, messages, and collaborations will help build an inclusive environment for all. Your ongoing work is vital to our community, making a meaningful impact on clients and neighbors alike.

For more information or to participate, please contact Abiha Syed: ASyed@regionofwaterloo.ca

Past events and activities

Welcoming Week 2024: All in for a more inclusive Waterloo Region

 

Celebrated from September 13 to 22, 2024, this year’s Welcoming Week offered a dynamic series of events designed to bring together newcomers and longtime residents, fostering a sense of community and belonging across the Waterloo Region.

Events:

  • Newcomer Info Night (Sept. 11): The KW Multicultural Centre kicked off the week by hosting a Health and Wellbeing Fair. Newcomers explored wellness resources and participated in different activities.

  • Citizenship Ceremony (Sept. 13): The Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership, in collaboration with the City of Waterloo, hosted a special Citizenship Ceremony to welcome new Canadians.

  • Victoria Hills Community Centre Tours (Sept. 13 to 22): The Victoria Hills Community Centre was opened for tours and provided resources to help newcomers learn about community opportunities.

  • Women’s English Conversation Circle (Sept. 13): The Huron Community Centre facilitated a Women’s English Conversation Circle, empowering attendees to improve their language skills in a supportive environment.

  • Huron Community Centre Tours (Sept. 13 to 22): Throughout the week, the Huron Community Centre welcomed visitors to learn about available programs and services.

  • Cambridge Public Library Programs (Sept. 13 to 22): Various locations of the Cambridge Public Library hosted programs, including a film screening as part of the Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival.

  • ESL Conversation Circle (Sept. 14): The Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre offered a drop-in ESL Conversation Circle, providing a fun and interactive space for adults to practice English.

  • Newcomer Connections Picnic (Sept. 14): The City of Cambridge and the Kinbridge Community Association organized a lively picnic featuring family-friendly activities.

  • Cinema Under the Stars (Sept. 14): Kitchener’s Country Hills Community Centre hosted an outdoor movie night, inviting families to enjoy crafts and refreshments while watching a family-friendly film.

  • Newcomer Tour & Information Event (Sept. 16): Hospice Waterloo Region provided insights into local hospice care services, emphasizing community support for individuals and families.

  • Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival Wrap-Up (Sept. 20): The festival concluded with a screening of A Passage Beyond Fortune, fostering discussions on the importance of reclaiming immigrant histories at the Ken Seiling Museum.

  • Doors Open Waterloo Region (Sept. 21): The Region of Waterloo showcased 26 noteworthy buildings and heritage sites, offering free admission and tours that celebrated the region’s diverse culture and architecture.

  • Multicultural Festival of Elmira (Sept. 21): Hosted by H.O.P.E, the festival featured performances, workshops and activities that raised awareness of diversity and inclusion.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to all the organizations involved in making Welcoming Week 2024 a success, including the KW Multicultural Centre, City of Kitchener, City of Waterloo, Huron Community Centre, Cambridge Public Library, Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre, Kinbridge Community Association, Hospice Waterloo Region, the Region of Waterloo, the Ken Seiling Museum and H.O.P.E. Your dedication to fostering an inclusive community is invaluable.
Welcoming Week 2023: Embracing Diversity and Building Connections

Welcoming Week 2023, celebrated from September 8 to 30, was a vibrant showcase of the diverse cultures and communities within Waterloo Region. This year’s events aimed to foster inclusion, celebrate cultural richness, and provide valuable resources to newcomers. The week offered a range of activities designed to connect residents, new and old, and highlight the supportive network available in our region.

Events

  • Welcome Week Open House (Sept 8): Hosted by YWCA Cambridge, this open house featured snacks, games, crafts, and information about YWCA's youth and employment programs, including the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Preschool Program.
  • Community Open House (Sept 9): Forest Heights Community Centre offered a festive event with snacks, arts and crafts, face painting, henna art, and community information.
  • Visit to the Rohingya Centre (Sept 12): Organized by the Immigration Partnership Belong Steering Group, this event provided insights into Rohingya culture through an exhibit and presentation by the Rohingya Centre of Canada.
  • Tours and Community Information (Sept 13): Rockway Community Centre hosted tours and shared community resources.
  • Newcomer Info Night: Technology and Employment Focus (Sept 13): KW Multicultural Centre held an event at Kitchener Public Library Central featuring informational booths, workshops, family portraits, and prizes.
  • Tours and Community Information (Sept 14): Huron Community Centre offered additional tours and community resources.
  • CAWA Info Night (Sept 14): The Canadian Arab Women’s Association hosted an evening of resources and community building at the Waterloo Public Library.
  • Citizenship Ceremony (Sept 15): Immigration Partnership Belong Steering Group hosted a ceremony celebrating new Canadian citizens.
  • Tours and Community Information (Sept 15): Chandler Mowat Community Centre provided tours and information on community services.
  • Multicultural Festival of Elmira (Sept 16): Held at Gibson Park, this inaugural festival featured performances, food trucks, face painting, and cultural activities from various cultures.
  • Newcomer Connections (Sept 16): The City of Cambridge hosted its fourth annual event, offering health and wellness information, social networking opportunities, and community support.
  • Family Fun Day (Sept 23): Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre organized a day of activities, crafts, and community information.
  • Cultures United: A Global Journey of Food, Stories, and Connection (Sept 23): This event, hosted by the Region of Waterloo Libraries and the Multicultural Festival of Elmira, celebrated cultural diversity through food, stories, and community connection.
  • Neighbourhood Cultural Festival (Sept 30): Greenway-Chaplin CC and Muslim Women of Cambridge held a festival at Avenue Road Public School with cultural performances, food, and activities.

Acknowledgements

Huge thanks to all our partners for their invaluable support, including YWCA Cambridge, Forest Heights Community Centre, The Rohingya Centre of Canada, Rockway Community Centre, KW Multicultural Centre, Huron Community Centre, Canadian Arab Women’s Association, Chandler Mowat Community Centre, City of Cambridge, Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre, Region of Waterloo Libraries, Greenway-Chaplin CC, and Muslim Women of Cambridge. Your dedication was key in making Welcoming Week 2023 a success.
Welcoming Week 2022: A Celebration of Community and Diversity

From September 9 to 18, 2022, Waterloo Region proudly joined the global Welcoming Week celebration, marking its first participation in this significant event. This year, we embraced the 10th anniversary of Welcoming Week worldwide, promoting a message of diversity, inclusion, and community connection. Our goal was to offer newcomers a warm welcome and opportunities to integrate into their new home.

Events:

  • Health & Wellness Tours (Sept 8-18): Organized by YMCA of Three Rivers, these tours introduced newcomers to local health and wellness resources.
  • Newcomer Picnic (Sept 10): Hosted by Cambridge Newcomer Outreach Program, this event offered a chance to enjoy community and cultural exchange.
  • Virtual Art Show and Colouring Contest (Sept 10-11): Muslim Women of Cambridge and Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre held a virtual art show and a children’s colouring contest.
  • Invitation to Belonging (Sept 10 & 24): Volunteer Waterloo Region facilitated events aimed at fostering a sense of belonging.
  • Welcome Week Tour and English Practice Events (Sept 11-13): Idea Exchange offered engaging tours and English practice sessions.
  • Territorial Acknowledgements (Sept 13): Immigration Partnership hosted a virtual discussion led by Clarence Cachagee, founder of Crow Shield Lodge. This event focused on the importance of territorial acknowledgments and reconciliation efforts.
  • Newcomer Info Night (Sept 14): Held by KW Multicultural Centre and Kitchener Public Library, this event featured information booths, family portraits, and a Grand River Transit tour.
  • GRT Ride a Bus Program (Sept 14): Grand River Transit provided a hands-on orientation to help newcomers navigate the transit system.
  • Toyota Culture Day (Sept 14): Toyota celebrated its diverse workforce with the theme “Many Faces, Many Stories… ONE TOYOTA.”
  • Potluck Picnic (Sept 18): Muslim Women of Cambridge and Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre, organized a potluck picnic for newcomers to share cultural foods and build connections.

Acknowledgements

A heartfelt thank you to all our partners, including YMCA of Three Rivers, Cambridge Newcomer Outreach Program, Muslim Women of Cambridge, Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre, Volunteer Waterloo Region, Idea Exchange, KW Multicultural Centre, Kitchener Public Library, Grand River Transit, and Toyota. Your commitment and support made Welcoming Week 2022 a memorable success.

Contacts