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Durham Region hosts its first Newcomer Day on Saturday, celebrating newcomers and connecting them with support services. The free event includes a citizenship ceremony and cultural performances.
Durham Region is hosting its first Newcomer Day on Saturday, a free community event to celebrate the contributions newcomers make to the region and connect them with local supports. The event will take place at the region's headquarters in Whitby and is a collaboration between the region and the Durham Employment and Newcomer Centre ( DENC), a non-profit organization that helps job seekers with services such as skills training and job search support.
Celebrating Newcomer Contributions in Durham
Newcomer Day will be an opportunity to show newcomers they are a valued part of the community, while also connecting them with support services and other residents, said Allison Hector-Alexander, director of diversity, equity and inclusion at the region. She said people need to feel valued, seen and celebrated, and they also need to feel that they belong.
Data from the 2021 census showed immigrants made up approximately 28 per cent of the region's population, up from 20.9 per cent in 2011, Hector-Alexander said. She said this tells a story and shows that immigration is an important part of Durham's population growth and community development.
Citizenship Ceremony and Cultural Performances
A citizenship ceremony will be held during the event. The free event will include cultural performances and a vendor marketplace. Several settlement, education and support services will have booths, including the Durham Community Legal Clinic and the Durham Family and Cultural Centre. The performances will include Ukrainian and Chinese dancers, as well as poetry from Zimbabwe and a French band, said Lina Zakaria, executive director of the DENC.
Zakaria said the performances will be a chance for newcomers to showcase their own cultures while also learning more about the diversity of Durham Region. She said Newcomer Day will help connect people to local supports, but also help them build relationships with other community members who attend.
Addressing Challenges and Building Connections
Many newcomers to Durham Region arrive with skills, education and work experience but may still face challenges, Zakaria said. Common challenges include finding affordable housing and employment, as well as navigating services, health care and building social connections.
Zakaria said it is important to create initiatives that help newcomers feel a sense of belonging in their community. She said welcoming people is not only about providing information, but it is also about creating community connections where people can feel welcomed and valued.
Hector-Alexander said other municipalities, including Toronto and Hamilton, hold Newcomer Day events annually, but Saturday marks the first time in Durham Region. She said there has been a lot of work in looking at how to ensure the region is a welcoming space, and they wanted to create a welcoming and accessible event that brought everyone together.
Hector-Alexander said she hopes bringing residents together will also help reduce misconceptions some people may have about newcomers. She said there is sometimes a tendency when global events and other things are happening in communities where people sometimes see an us and them dynamic. The event aims to foster a sense of belonging and appreciation for the diverse backgrounds that make up Durham Region.
Please follow us on Google to support usDurham Region Newcomer Day Immigrants Allison Hector-Alexander Lina Zakaria DENC Whitby
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