Partnering to connect newcomers with regional health services
Around the Region shares the work of community partners. In this edition, we hear from the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre, a registered charity that serves thousands of clients throughout Waterloo Region (and beyond): interpretation and translation, English language skills, immigration and refugee services, and job supports. They also host one of the biggest Multicultural Festivals in Canada every year.
By Ana Lagos Suazo, Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre Community Engagement Coordinator
At the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre, we strive to welcome newcomers and foster a sense of belonging and community. Building an inclusive community where everyone can grow and create a new life is essential. That’s why we collaborate with other local organizations to increase awareness of the many valuable services offered across Waterloo Region. These services are critical to the success of newcomers as they settle into their new lives.
In late November, we warmly welcomed newcomers, refugees, immigrants, international students, and the entire community to join us for a special event called “Waterloo Region Health Services Night” at the Kitchener Public Library’s main branch. This interactive event was an opportunity for people to connect and learn about essential health information and resources. Region of Waterloo’s Public Health team was once again an important partner.
Earlier this fall, we also worked together with Public Health’s Neighbourhood Nursing Team and the Kitchener Public Library for a special event called the “Newcomer Information Night: Health and Wellbeing Fair.”
This event was held in conjunction with the Government of Canada’s annual Welcoming Week, which celebrates the arrival of newcomers across the country.
Our health and wellbeing fairs offered a vibrant space for people to connect, with around 200 participants, over 25 service providers, and more than 20 community volunteers. Region of Waterloo staff shared information on different Public Health programs, including neighbourhood nursing, vaccine, sexual health, dental, infant feeding, substance use prevention, and health inspection teams. Paramedic services also attended.
Region staff spoke with newcomers, alongside other service providers, including Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health and Family and Children Services of Waterloo Region. Everyone’s contributions made this event a welcoming and inclusive celebration.
These two fall events were not the first time our centre partnered with the Region of Waterloo. In February 2024, Public Health worked with us to present a similar, successful event at First United Church in Waterloo. These initiatives are made possible thanks to the strong collaboration between Ana Lagos Suazo from KWMC, Maritza Yawching-Robertson from the Region of Waterloo Public Health, and Jingjing Xue from KPL.
Who is the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre? Back in 1967, a determined group of newcomers to Canada formed the K-W Folk Arts Council and organized the very first Multicultural Festival in Kitchener-Waterloo. Over time, the mandate of that organization expanded to providing support and assistance to newcomers to our community and then later to provide interpretation and translation services to public and private sector clients in the community.
As a non-profit, registered charity, we are gratefully supported by many funders. Our operations are overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors.
Learn more about all our events on our Community Events page!