Cochrane Immigrant Services Society is getting ready to welcome all new Cochrane community members to town.

On Monday, February 5th, numerous agencies will gather together at the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area to introduce newcomers to all the great services and amenities our town has to offer.

Candy Weisner, Family Community Support Services Programmer and Fleeha Ahmad, Co-Chair of Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee, shares anyone new to town will find the evening beneficial. "They can just be coming from another city but it's more valuable if they are coming from another province or country because you may not know the facts or details and stuff about our community until you become part of it. So it is a really awesome way to touch base with it because almost all the services are there on that one night so you absorb a lot of what is happening." 

Creating a culture of inclusivity is something Cochranites should be proud of. Ahmad shares feedback from those new to Cochrane has been growing in a positive direction. "I think over the past few years, they are feeling more comfortable. I just had a client expressing that. She came to Cochrane in 2013 and she said between 2013 and 2018 she sees a very, very diverse community with stuff helping and involvement. When she first came she felt so isolated, lonely, like nobody wanted to talk to her unless there was a reason and now there are so many ways to communicate and build social networks. So it is leading a positive change."                                                                                           

Expanding on our newcomer programs, a pilot initiative in partnership with the Parent Link Centre is also connecting newcomer families. The 'Newcomer Connection' is being offered weekly and will offer another means to connect other newcomer parents with children 0-6 years of age. "We are holding it over at the Parent Link Centre but having different speakers each week for only part of the time and the other part is letting them know about services and ways they can be involved in Cochrane, and also a big portion to socialize."

Newcomers to Cochrane Night is hosted twice a year and this will be their fifth meeting. Always looking for ways to connect newcomers, the unique make up of the society helps. Many of those that sit on the board were newcomers themselves at one point and have a great deal of empathy when it comes to making others feel welcome.

If you would like more information on the evening or the Cochrane Immigrant Services Society contact information is on the poster below, and all are welcome.