Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council
521 Bannatyne Ave. R3A 0E4 Winnipeg, MB, Canada

We would like to offer our warmest congratulations to the Syrian community in Canada. Five years ago, the first government plane filled with Syrian refugees touched down in Canada. Today, we welcome our newest family members as 29 Syrians are sworn in as Canadian citizens. Congratulations and thank you for enriching this great country of ours! https://www.cbc.ca//syrian-refugees-citizens-ceremony-mend

TODAY is #GivingTuesdsayCA! TODAY ONLY, your donation of $20 or more to Welcome place will be topped up with an extra $2 from CanadaHelps! Please consider making a donation. With your help, Welcome Place provides enrichment programming as well as safe, affordable housing for newcomers. Your gift can make a difference this #GivingTuesdayCA. Donations can be made online by clicking here: https://www.canadahelps.org//manitoba-interfaith-immigrat/. If donating by mail, please ...make cheques payable to Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council and mail to 521 Bannatyne Avenue, Winipeg, MB R3A 0E4 Thank you for considering Welcome Place for your donation. Terms & Conditions: https://canadahelps.us7.list-manage.com/track/click

#ThrowbackThursday to when we could celebrate with clients, volunteers and our community. This series of photos was taken about a year ago at an event to thank everyone involved in our Volunteer Matching Program. Our Volunteer Matching Program matches newly arrived refugees with local volunteers to provide friendship while clients are adjusting to life in Canada. This program helps refugees to integrate and understand Canadian culture and values, and enhances community living through cultural exchange. For more information or to apply to volunteer, visit https://miic.ca/volunteer-matching-program/

On Monday we asked what you were thankful for this Thanksgiving. Another thing we’re thankful for is volunteer support from Robson Hall, Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba. Last year 45 law students volunteered 2,288 hours of service to support 482 refugee claimants prepare for the refugee hearing process. THANK YOU!... For more information about our In-Canada Protection Services, visit https://miic.ca/in-canada-protection-services/

Today is Thanksgiving. Despite 2020 being a hard year, we're thankful for our volunteers, staff, donors and clients. What are you thankful for?

Just a reminder that we are closed on Monday for Thanksgiving. Have a wonderful long weekend.

Did you know that we provide temporary accommodation for refugees coming to Winnipeg? From April 2019 to the end of March, 2020, we housed 315 clients here at Welcome Place Residence. Find out more about our reception services at https://miic.ca/reception-services/

Last week, Canadian Immigration and Citizenship announced that they would speed up the processing for spousal sponsorship applications. This article from CIC News may be a helpful guide on how to do so: https://www.cicnews.com//how-to-sponsor-your-partner-for-c

Shanah Tovah (which means "good year") to everyone observing Yom Kippur from all of us at Welcome Place.

Attention adult newcomers! Join us Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6pm for Conversational English Classes. Conversational English Classes are a fun, interactive and informative setting to speak, read and write English and gain confidence doing so.... IMPORTANT: 1. All newcomers are welcome 2. One time registration is required 3. Strict social distancing measures are followed as set out by the Provincial Public Health Officer (this photo was taken in a previous year!) 4. All staff, clients, volunteers and visitors must wear a mask If you have any questions, please call 204-977-1000 and ask for Michael. Or email him at [email protected].

Please note that our building is closed today, Friday (September 25), Monday (September 28) and Tuesday (September 29) and will re-open on Wednesday (September 30) at 9:00 AM.

Thank you to our board, staff, funders and members of the community who joined us on Wednesday, both in person and online, for our Annual General Meeting. The AGM looked a little different this year, but we could still celebrate our accomplishments and look ahead to the future. And congratulations to our staff who celebrated anniversaries this year, including Slobodan who has been working with refugees at Welcome Place for 25 years!

Information about welcoming kids back to school safely during COVID-19 is now available in Arabic, Filipino, Hindi, Nepali, Swahili and Tigrigna! Thanks to our friends at Immigration Partnership Winnipeg in partnership with the Ethnocultural Council of Manitoba-Stronger Together, MANSO and Winnipeg School Division. You can find both written information and videos online at https://ethnomanitoba.ca/welcoming-our-students-back-resto/

Welcome back, Michael Habtom! Michael is a Volunteer and Host Matching Liaison. In this position, Michael helps connect newcomers to our community through group activities. If you're a newcomer interested in computer classes, conversational English courses, art, cultural activities and/or social outings, Michael can help you out!... Michael also matches newcomers with Canadian volunteer hosts for social and emotional support and cultural exchanges. If you're looking for a meaningful volunteer experience, get in touch!

Please join us for Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council's (MIIC/Welcome Place) 2020 Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, September 23 from 4-5pm CST. This year we will be meeting online. Please RSVP by September 18, 2020 to [email protected]. Virtual attendance instructions will be provided at this time. ... Everyone is welcome!

We're wishing children and teachers a safe and wonderful first day of school. And check out this how-to video for kids about wearing a mask. https://www.youtube.com/watch