What a day!
JOANA, a French-language services fair, brought together about 40 newcomers who came to our Welland location to meet with community partners.
The goal was to provide guidance, information, and opportunities to connect.
The day began with a land acknowledgment and opening remarks from senior management.
A meditation exercise to refocus on the present moment was followed by an icebreaker: My Country in the Spotlight. You could see the pride on every face, as this activity allowed participants to identify their country of origin and describe what makes it unique!

Next came a presentation of the programs and services offered by the nine organizations located next to the CSCHN, followed by a tour of each table—all set to music provided by the Executive Director.
Just before lunch, attendees enjoyed a Zumba dance break to work up an appetite!
A big thank you to everyone who participated.
Together, we’ve shown that our differences are a source of richness, not barriers, and that despite our distinct paths, our aspirations are aligned.
Your presence contributes greatly to the vitality of our region.
