A Welcome Home Strategy released by the province in April aims to double the number of new immigrants arriving each year to 7,200 by 2020.
A newcomer reception was held in the NSCC Burridge cafeteria on Nov. 8, for immigrants and community representatives. Several presenters spoke to the group about various services and organizations.
Certificates were presented to businesses that support newcomers in the community: McDonald’s Restaurant, Tri-Star, Rodd Grand Hotel, YMCA, and the Western Counties Regional Library.
Certificates were also presented to others that have helped newcomers: Tot Van Lam, Kavi Rana, Sanh Van Vo, Debbie Duke, and Gustavo Astorquiza. Immigration newcomer navigator Dolores Atwood spoke to the group describing the challenges she faced when she first arrived in the country.
“Some of you come here and look for jobs and you can’t find them and you start to get frustrated. I understand your pain. But I just want to tell you, you have to be very patient. You have to do the best you can. The more people that get to know you, the better it is for you.”
Atwood arrived in Yarmouth in 1999.
She was recently elected to the Tri-County Regional School Board.
