The Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee is getting ready for their biannual 'Newcomers to Cochrane Night' on February 4th.

Fleeha Ahmad, Co-Chair of Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee says the evening has the dual purpose of encouraging new residents to meet people while introducing a variety of helpful resources the Town of Cochrane offers. "This is basically a meet and great of finding new friends and learning about the community itself. Everybody is welcome to join; it's a social, informative night where families and individuals who just arrived in Cochrane are invited to get to know each other and the resources in the community."

Newcomers Night has been growing in popularity over the past few years and while putting an exact number on attendees is difficult, there are always new faces coming out. "The positive is there are always new families who make an effort to come, and that is our objective to target those people who are new to Cochrane. Not only do we see people coming from overseas or other countries, but even from other provinces."

While Newcomers Night has been held at the Cochrane Public Library and Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area in the past, this time it is moving to a local restaurant. "It's going to be hosted at the Killarney's Family Pub, and we want to provide an opportunity for local businesses to introduce themselves, and also so it doesn't get too repetitive in the same place. We will probably be looking at other options as we move forward."

Ahmad shares there will also be anywhere from 12 to 15 organizations present, who can help those that are new settle into the community. 

There is no such cut off when defining a newcomer; no matter if you have been in Cochrane a few days, weeks, months, or years, all are welcome to attend next Monday evening (February 4) at Killarney's Family Pub from 6 to 8 in the evening.

This is the seventh Newcomers to Cochrane night with events occurring in October and February each year.