Events

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Collège Boréal va soutenir les réfugiés francophones

Kitchener, ON – Reception House Waterloo Region (RHWR) est ravie d’annoncer le lancement de son projet Bienvenue, financé par le Programme de subventions pour les communautés francophones de l’Ontario, ainsi que de son nouveau partenariat avec le Collège Boréal. Ces deux initiatives visent à améliorer les services pour les réfugiés et nouveaux arrivants francophones, facilitant leur intégration dans la région de Waterloo.

Fondé sur plus de 30 ans d’expérience de RHWR avec les réfugiés parrainés par le gouvernement, le projet Bienvenue adaptera les programmes pour mieux répondre aux besoins des clients francophones. Les principaux éléments du projet comprennent la création d’un groupe consultatif avec des organisations francophones régionales, ainsi que la création, la traduction et l’adaptation des ressources spécifiques aux nouveaux arrivants francophones.

En collaboration avec le Collège Boréal, des cours de français CLIC sont désormais offerts tous les mardis et jeudis, accompagnés de services d’établissement fournis par un travailleur d’établissement du Collège Boréal chaque mardi dans les nouveaux locaux de RHWR.

« Nous sommes ravis de renforcer notre capacité à soutenir les réfugiés francophones grâce au projet Bienvenue », a déclaré Babur Mawladin, PDG de RHWR. « Ce financement nous permet de répondre aux besoins uniques des nouveaux arrivants francophones et de les aider à se sentir chez eux dans la région de Waterloo. »

Reception House Waterloo Region Launches Bienvenue Project in Partnership with Collège Boréal to Support Francophone Refugees

Kitchener, ON – Reception House Waterloo Region (RHWR) is excited to announce the launch of its Bienvenue Project, funded by Ontario’s Francophone Community Grants Program, as well as our new partnership with Collège Boréal. Both initiatives aim to enhance services for Francophone refugees and newcomers, supporting their integration into the Waterloo Region.

Building on RHWR’s 30+ years of experience with government-assisted refugees, the Bienvenue Project will adapt programs to better serve French-speaking clients. Key components include the establishment of an advisory group with regional Francophone organizations, and the creation, translation, and adaptation of resources tailored to Francophone newcomers.

In collaboration with Collège Boréal, CLIC French classes are now offered every Tuesday and Thursday, along with settlement services provided by a Collège Boréal settlement worker on Tuesdays at RHWR’s new location.

“We’re thrilled to strengthen our capacity to support Francophone refugees through the Bienvenue Project,” said Babur Mawladin, CEO of RHWR. “This funding allows us to meet the unique needs of Francophone newcomers and help them feel at home in Waterloo Region.”

Reception House Partnership with Collège Boréal to Deliver French Language Services to Newly Arrived Francophone Refugees

January, 2024 – Waterloo

Reception House Waterloo Region and Collège Boréal signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deliver French language services to newly arrived Francophone refugees. Collaboration between the two organizations enhances existing services such as needs assessment, orientation and information sharing, case management and employment services. Both organizations acknowledge the financial support of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

“This marks a significant milestone in Reception House’s long history of providing services to Government Assisted Refugees. Today, we are taking a further step in becoming a bilingual organization. As we continue to welcome refugees into our community, we aim to ensure that all our resettlement and settlement services are available in both official languages. Together, we are building an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming community,” said Babur Mawladin, CEO of Reception House Waterloo Region.

Collège Boréal’s immigration program was expanded to Waterloo Region in 2020 to help fill a gap in services for immigrants, particularly French-speaking newcomers. Since then, Collège Boréal has provided settlement services to Francophone newcomers and offered French language training (CLIC) to interested refugees and permanent residents.

Abdoulaye Sako, Regional Manager of Collège Boréal stated that they are pleased to formalize this partnership. “The spirit of this agreement is to enable both parties to fulfill their respective mandates as agencies serving newcomer refugees in the Waterloo Region. The common goal is for French-speaking refugees newly arrived in Waterloo Region to have a sense of belonging to their new community.”

“Reception House is pleased to enter this agreement with Collège Boréal as it will allow us to better serve French-speaking newcomers and provide all newcomer refugees with a greater ability to resettle in French, should they choose,” said Emma Jennings, Manager of Resettlement and Housing.

Bashir Shahbaz, Manager of Settlement, and Integration Programs adds that, “This vital partnership will provide both organizations with the opportunity to work collaboratively, share best practices and deliver quality settlement support to Francophone refugees.”

For those interested in settling in French-speaking communities in Canada, we encourage you to explore the resources available on the IRCC website, including information about immigrating to Francophone communities outside Quebec. For more information kindly check IRCC website: Immigrating to a Francophone Community Outside Quebec – Canada.ca. You can also check College Boreal website: https://collegeboreal.ca/en/service/immigration-and-integration-services/

We are thrilled to announce that Reception House Waterloo Region has received funding by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to deliver case management services to all eligible newcomers in Waterloo Region.

May, 2024 – Waterloo

This recognition affirms the vital role we play in helping immigrants and refugees build new lives in our community. For many years, Reception House has been a trusted partner in guiding and supporting refugees and newcomers with the resources, connections, and opportunities they need to build independent and successful lives in Waterloo Region — and this funding support deepens our commitment to that mission.”

Direct Link to CBC Interview: Reception House receives new designation from federal government | CBC.ca

Reception House 2nd Annual Art Exhibition

May, 2024 – Waterloo

This week, we proudly held our 2nd Annual Art Exhibition at City Hall, marking another milestone in our journey to empower newcomer youth through creativity.

Since launching our youth art programs at Reception House last year, we’ve witnessed incredible growth in our young clients—many of whom are navigating new lives in Waterloo Region. These sessions provide much more than a space to draw or paint. They offer:
A universal language to express what words cannot
A chance to build confidence and feel seen
A way to form lasting friendships and a sense of belonging
A healing outlet
A moment to celebrate identity and share their stories with family and community

This year’s exhibition featured deeply meaningful artwork. Youth created cardboard homes to highlight the need for affordable housing, exchanged friendship hearts to symbolize growing bonds, and placed scattered black hearts to honor loved ones left behind. The leaf faces captured the many emotions they experience as they adjust to a new life.

A heartfelt thank you to Kate Pearce representing Kindred Credit Union for attending the event and funding this powerful program. Your support makes these moments possible.
We’re also incredibly grateful to Mayor Berry Vrbanovic and the City of Kitchener staff for attending the event and consistently championing refugee youth and the arts in our community.

To everyone who came out: thank you for celebrating with us and supporting these incredible young artists.

Reception House Announces Updated Mission and Vision Statements

May, 2024 – Waterloo

We are excited to share an important milestone in the evolution of Reception House Waterloo Region. As part of our ongoing commitment to meet the changing needs of our community, we have updated our mission and vision statements to reflect a broader, more inclusive future.

For decades, Reception House has been a trusted support system for government-assisted refugees. We are proud to now extend our services to all immigrants and refugees, continuing to offer the same level of care, connection, and opportunity that has always defined our work.

Our Updated Mission

To guide and support refugees and newcomers with the resources, connections, and opportunities they need to build independent, successful lives in Canada.

Our Renewed Vision

A future where every newcomer finds belonging, security, and the opportunity to build a fulfilling life.

This shift reflects both our history and our future. It reaffirms our dedication to ensuring that all newcomers feel welcomed, supported, and empowered as they build their lives in Waterloo Region and beyond.

We are deeply grateful to our community, partners, and supporters who make this work possible. We look forward to continuing this journey together.