Several years ago, a group of individuals met with me to talk about newcomers. They represented organizations who worked with newcomers to help them settle in Guelph and into the workforce.
They thought our city could do better.
They called themselves the Guelph Inclusiveness Alliance.
They asked if the City would be the community sponsor for a federal funding program to support and enhance their work. Council supported our role to provide administrative and project management support to community-led initiative.
Each year, the Guelph-Wellington Local Immigration Partnership presents a progress report to the Community and Social Services Committee of Guelph City Council.
Each year we are impressed by the remarkable work that has been accomplished.
Their Progress Report this year is no less remarkable.
One of best statistics they have documented is a significant increase in the feeling of connectedness to community felt by newcomers in Guelph and Wellington – much higher than the provincial average. That is something a caring community can be proud of.
February 12, 2014 at 12:30 pm
I think the LIP has done tremendous work and there job is difficult to say the least. There next initiative is reaching out to the different ethnic communities in Guelph to encourage them to become more involved in this years municipal elections. Our Council at present is very non reflective of the different ethnic groups who live and work here in Guelph.