Make Huron Home Winter 2015 newsletter: Multicultural Association Perth-Huron

Huron Local Immigration Partnership

Winter 2015

Support for newcomers Multicultural Association of Perth‐Huron supports newcomers Helping newcomers feel at home is what the Multicultural Association of Perth‐Huron is all about.

Immigrants to Canada, newcomers from other provinces, and isolated foreign and Canadian migrants will all find a warm welcome, information and support at the Multicultural Association office in Stratford, Ontario. Founded in 2013 by Dr. Gezahgn Wordofa, the Multicultural Association of Perth‐Huron (MAPH) assists newcomers in Perth and Huron Counties to adjust to life in their new communities by providing services throughout the two counties.

Since he arrived in Stratford in 2011, Gezahgn Wordofa (known to his friends as Geza) has volunteered most of his waking life to becoming part of the community and helping others. In a short amount of time, he has become a member of the Stratford Rotary Club, the Stratford Area Chamber of Commerce and a founding member of Stratford Toastmasters.

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“Newcomers to Huron and Perth Counties enrich their communities by teaching us about the world we live in, and reminding us that even though we may be different, we are all - Dr. Gezahgn Wordofa the same.”

Wordofa knows firsthand how hard it is to be a newcomer From page 1 Wordofa is often found volunteering at churches and with many non‐profit groups including Salvation Army, House of Blessing, SAWA and the United Way. He has been recognized many times in the local news for his efforts and achievements and now is a household name for anyone doing humanitarian work in the area.

Originally from Ethiopia, Wordofa studied at the University of Moscow where he graduated World History, International Relations, Human Rights and Diplomacy. He went on to become Goodwill World Peace Ambassador for ten years before leaving to raise a family with his wife Nicole and their son Aaron in Canada.

Having to adjust many times in the past to new cultures and communities, Wordofa knew firsthand how hard it is to be a newcomer. Moving to Canada was no exception and he began to seek out immigrants in Perth‐Huron area who needed support. Working out of coffee shops, Wordofa helped countless individuals adjust to living in Canada while developing the proposal for his support service, the Multicultural Association of Perth‐Huron.

After communicating his vision to others, Wordofa quickly gained support of a small group of like‐minded individuals. This led to the MAPH being tabled as a new project proposal for the United Way Perth‐Huron. The idea was well received and on October 5, 2013 the official launch of the pilot project was held.

Wordofa has been awarded many times for his volunteer work in Canada from the likes of the University of

Dr. Gezahgn Wordofa, founder and community liaison facilitator, the Multicultural Association of Perth‐Huron, with his Newcomer Champion Award presented to him by the Ontario government.

Toronto for speaking on Women's Empowerment, the Red Cross for Humanitarian Work with Youth Programs and the Newcomer Champion Award from the Ontario Government. He has been described as a community leader and volunteer dedicated to helping immigrants of all ages better integrate and feel at home in Ontario.

Even though he landed in a small community, Wordofa keeps his eyes on the bigger picture with international initiatives in Moscow, Russia working with refugees and the homeless. He is also actively raising money for health clinics, schools and clean water for small communities in his home of Ethiopia while educating people on their human rights.

Newcomer Outreach and Needs Assessment project MAPH recently announced that it received a $50,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, for its Newcomer Outreach and Needs Assessment (NONA) project. This will be a 6‐month project in which gatherings with newcomers in major towns across Perth and Huron Counties will be held. This will give the

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MAPH an opportunity to connect with newcomers in both counties, determine the needs of newcomers, improve procedures, and enhance referral networks.

This method of supporting newcomers will also serve as a means to collect background information necessary to procure stable funding for the organization.

MAPH an initial point of contact As an initial point of contact for newcomers, the Multicultural Association acts as a referral agency to provide connections to government and community services and resources. The association actively promotes inclusion and diversity in Perth‐Huron through community events and education and aims to reduce barriers to newcomer access to services and resources. MAPH supports local economic development organizations to attract newcomers and retain them in the workforce by liaising with employment agencies.

As a project of the United Way Perth‐Huron, the Multicultural Association depends upon the goodwill and support of volunteers, businesses and citizens who share our goals and are interested in helping our organization and its growing number of clients.

The MAPH helps to identify the needs of newcomers and to connect them with the businesses, community agencies, educational services, and government services they require to successfully settle here. These needs include: • Employment

Dr. Gezahgn Wordofa and community supporters at an event in Stratford in 2014.

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Starting a business Finding housing or buying a house Banking Training, including English classes Finding transportation or getting a driver's licence Family counselling Legal assistance Immigration/citizenship issues Financial planning

Connecting communities and social networks The Multicultural Association also strives to help newcomers be part of the wider local social network that will help them integrate into their communities, while sharing and celebrating their own unique cultures.

The MAPH does this by organizing events such as multicultural dinners, coffee nights, International Women's Day celebrations, and cultural events such as the community‐wide thanksgiving festival held in Stratford last summer to recognize the religious holiday of Eid Al‐Fitr. “… The thanksgiving festival is a religious holiday observed by Muslims worldwide over three days at the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Each day begins with prayer to Allah and is celebrated with traditional food, music, and gifts amongst family and friends.

But the local event on Aug. 30, organized by the Multicultural Association of Perth‐Huron and held outside the Falstaff Family Centre from afternoon until evening, wasn't only about practicing those traditions. Guests enjoyed food and music from around the world prepared and performed by area residents of contrasting ethnicities who, for various reasons, have all settled in Canada.

The purpose of the day, noted Multicultural Association leader Gezahgn Wordofa, was to bring together people of all faiths to celebrate and give thanks, both for their differences and all that they have in common.” – From the article written by Jeff Heuchert, Editor, the Stratford Gazette, September 2, 2014. To read more of this article, visit: http://www.southwesternontario.ca/news/local‐ muslims‐share‐in‐their‐thanksgiving/.

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MAPH steering committee The MAPH is governed by a steering committee whose members volunteer their time and energy to coordinate and develop the MAPH as it evolves toward graduation as a project from United Way. Duties of the membership include: • Assist in developing, approving, and monitoring a work plan for the MAPH. • Assist in developing, approving, and monitoring a budget for the MAPH. • Commission and evaluate research and reports for the MAPH. • Contribute suggestions, ideas, expertise and advice regarding fundraising, promotion and service delivery.

• Identify potential partnerships and funding sources to enhance the work of the Committee.

• Provide guidance to MAPH volunteers and/ or paid staff members

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Discuss issues and promote the MAPH within their communities of interest and with the community as a whole.

Steering committee members include: • Nishchint Bajaj • Ryan Erb • Mark Hertzberger • Deb Hotchkiss • Erin Jones • Maurice Koetsier • Julia Merritt • Joan van der Meer • Don Van Galen The MAPH now has three part‐time staff members as well: Project Manager Mark Hertzberger, and two Program Administrators, Nina Javet and Yao Li.

Volunteers are always welcome

Upcoming MAPH 2015 events

The Multicultural Association of Perth‐Huron is always on the lookout for new volunteers and welcomes those who would like to:  Connect with individual newcomers  Connect with newcomer groups  Engage newcomers for interviews and focus groups for the Newcomer Outreach and Needs Assessment project  Invite newcomers to multicultural events

 February 16: Burger Night  February 19: Chinese New Year  March 8: International Women's Day For more information about these events, the MAPH, or to volunteer, contact the Multicultural Association of Perth‐Huron:  Phone: 519.271.7730 Ext 232  Email: multicultural.perthhuron@gmail.com or office@maph.ca  Facebook: www.facebook.com/perthhuron.multicultural

Acknowledgements Make Huron Home gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the following individuals and organizations in providing information and materials for this edition of the Make Huron Home newsletter:  Dr. Gezahgn Wordofa, MAPH founder and community liaison facilitator  Mark Hertzberger, MAPH project manager

For more information contact:

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The Multicultural Association of Perth‐Huron The United Way Perth‐Huron Jeff Heuchert, Editor, the Stratford Gazette

Photographs and content are reprinted here with the kind permission of the MAPH, the United Way Perth‐ Huron, and of the Stratford Gazette.

Rebecca Rathwell, Project Manager

519‐524‐8394, ext. 3, home@huroncounty.ca, www.makehuronhome.ca