The Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership (CK LIP) is celebrating five years of Welcome Week, a community-wide event highlighting cultural diversity, newcomer contributions and the municipality’s designation as Canada’s first Welcoming Community.
This year’s Welcome Week runs from Sept. 12 to 21 and features 25 events across the municipality, ranging from workshops to family-friendly gatherings. The week began with a flag-raising ceremony at the Civic Centre on Sept. 12.
“Chatham-Kent is excited to host our community’s fifth year of Welcome Week,” said Christine Long, CK LIP project coordinator. “It has been five years of community connections, shared experiences and fostering a sense of belonging for everyone.”
The lineup includes an anti-racism and anti-oppression workshop, an information session on municipal government for newcomers and a community showcase at Kingston Park on Sept. 21. The showcase is billed as a family-friendly event celebrating diversity and community spirit.
“The Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership (CK LIP) is a network of 40 local organizations that work collaboratively to foster a welcoming community for newcomers and immigrants,” said Tracy Callaghan, co-chair of CK LIP. “We are honored to showcase the work we do year-round and take this week to celebrate with those who have made Chatham-Kent their new home.”
The initiative brings together local stakeholders to develop strategies that support immigrant settlement and integration while strengthening connections between newcomers, employers and service providers.
