A picnic was hosted here by County of Wellington Settlement Services to welcome immigrant newcomers to the Mapleton, Minto, Wellington North and Centre Wellington communities.
The Newcomer Welcome Picnic on Oct. 5 at the Community Mennonite Fellowship in Drayton was open to all members of the community. The event provided an opportunity to thank members of the community involved in supporting newcomers as they settle into their homes in Wellington County.
Newcomer families, refugee sponsor groups, employers, community agency partners and others who have been active in supporting newcomers in Wellington County were invited guests.
Wellington County councillor Gregg Davidson of Mapleton welcomed everyone to the picnic on behalf of Warden Dennis Lever and county council.
Davidson introduced guests Matthew Rae from the office of MP John Nater, Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece, Ontario Works director Stuart Beumer, Guelph-Wellington Local Immigration Partnership representative Dipti Patel and Syrian newcomers Amal Ayyash and Mohammad Al Hawari.
“Attracting newcomers and helping them successfully integrate into their new home and surroundings is an important priority for the county,” Davidson said.
“As part of our economic development strategy we recognize that in order to grow and prosper as a community we need to be attracting newcomers and showcasing all that Wellington County has to offer.”
Davidson continued, “The Wellington County Settlement Services team works directly with newcomer families who face challenges having left behind their homes, moving to not only a new community, but a new country.
“The team addresses these challenges by connecting the families to key services like English language training, the school system, job opportunities and provides help adjusting to life in new communities.”
Davidson also thanked refugee sponsor groups, community agencies, businesses and others involved in helping newcomers settle in.
Syrian newcomers to Mapleton Township, Amal Ayyash and Mohammad Al Hawari, spoke on their journey as refugees from Syria to their new home in Drayton.
The couple shared the trials of moving to a new country.
“When we come to Canada we leave behind our families, friends, home and everything we have,” said Al Hawari.
“It was very hard, but we have a new family in Canada and we are very happy here.”
The two also spoke of the changes in their lives over the past year with the establishment of two businesses.
Al Hawari operates a painting business in the area and employs two part-time employees. Ayyash has turned her baking hobby into a business and sells her baked goods at the Drayton Market and to local customers.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped us. Thank you to our sponsors and the Canadian government and the people here,” Al Hawari said.
The picnic featured a buffet of ethnic foods catered by Nanaz Kitchen, Cambridge, owned by Nansi Aburaneh, also an immigrant to Canada.
Aburaneh met and married her husband in Canada. Unfortunately health issues have prevented him from maintaining employment. With four children to support, Aburaneh returned to school to pursue her passion for baking and graduated with a 96% average.
The family is thankful to God and everyone in Canada who has helped along the way.
Children’s activities at the picnic included a pizza supper, entertainment by a clown and face painting.
“This picnic is one way that Wellington County Settlement Services can bring the immigrants and all who have helped them settle in Wellington County, together at one location,” said Colleen Brunelle, Settlement Services Fergus program manager.
“It really is wonderful to see so many people here.”
