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Sudbury's newcomer services get $540K boost from the province

Provincial government providing funding through Newcomer Settlement Program
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Three Sudbury organizations that provide support services for newcomers and refugees will share in $540,000 thanks to a funding from the Ontario government's Newcomer Settlement Program. (L to R) Sam Albahri, Karyn Makayla, Sudbury YMCA, Glenn Thibeault, Sudbury MPP, Daniel Giroux, president Collège Boréal, Dr. Remi Ogundimu, president Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association, Dr. Rayudu Koka, second vice president Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association. (Matt Durnan/Sudbury.com)

Three Sudbury organizations that provide support services for newcomers and refugees will share in $540,000 thanks to a funding from the Ontario government's Newcomer Settlement Program.

The funding announcement was made by Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault on Feb. 14 at the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association, one the three organizations that will benefit from the funding.

Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association will receive up to $150,000, Collège Boréal will receive up to $292,500, and the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario will receive up to $97,500.

"It warms my heart to think about what we're able to do here in Sudbury, to actually help families come to Sudbury, be part of this community and live and raise their families here," said Thibeault. "We are blessed to have organizations like the YMCA, like Collège Boréal, and like the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association and all of your member groups and everyone involved in this community and I think our Bridge of Nations really shows the diversity that we have in our community."

Representatives from each organization that will receive funding were on hand for the announcement to discuss how the funding will benefit them, along with all newcomers to Sudbury.

The Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association is made up 50 delegate groups with a client population of more than 30,000 citizens of Sudbury.

The organization is headed up by president Dr. Remi Ogundimu, who spoke about their commitment to maintaining high standards of community service, volunteerism, protection of human rights, and serving newcomers to be well adapted to contribute to Canadian society.

"We're very grateful that we're able to continue these services in our community and thankful to our MPP for helping us promote our needs in parliament and get the word out so that we can get the assistance and continue to do a job that we feel is important," said Ogundimu.  

"The fact that you find it very important to support us means a lot to all of us."

Collège Boréal will be able to receive more than half of the $540,000 of funding announced Wednesday to assist with their programs newcomers to the college and Sudbury. Collège Boréal Daniel Giroux spoke of the importance of not only helping newcomers adjust to life in Sudbury, but introducing them to the opportunities available in the city.

"Almost 2,000 of our students are living here on a yearly basis," said Giroux.

"Our biggest challenge is how do we retain them? I think this funding announcement really helps us moving that forward in attracting and maintaining those students in Sudbury in Northern Ontario. The main objective is we want those new Canadians and new people arriving in Sudbury to stay in Sudbury."

Giroux also gave a nod to the collaboration between the city's post-secondary schools when it comes to attaining government funding, an effort that wasn't as evident in years gone by.

"I've never seen the three post-secondary institutions and now with the hospital, work so closely together. Historically there was a little bit of competition. What I've seen really evolve is when there's an announcement at the hospital about a Learners' Centre, we're so proud," said Giroux.

"Sudbury wins, Collège Boréal wins, Cambrian wins, Laurentian wins, we all win. So when there are initiatives we're thinking Sudbury first, Northern Ontario first, and the details of who gets the funds, that's a detail."

Sam Albahri and her son moved to Sudbury from Kuwait in June of 2016 and she is proud to now call Sudbury her home. Albahri shared some of her experiences with newcomer services in the city and had glowing reviews.

"I got to know about the Sudbury Multicultural Association from my husband, and had seen it multiple times on the Internet when I was browsing for information," said Albahri. 

"I immediately went to visit the centre to get some information and I was attended right away. I was given all the answers to my questions and more, friendly faces and assuring voices. They helped in orienting us in where to go for different procedures, to meet other ex-patriots who had settled down before us, the free language courses they offered to help people communicate, meetings and workshops which helped greatly to understand taxation, banking systems among others and for all that I'm greatly thankful."

For more on Ontario's programs and services for newcomers, click here.


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