Welcome!

Cambridge has a diverse community, and is home to thousands of newcomers from around the globe. The variety of culture and experiences continue to shape the growing community in this city.

Whether you're just thinking about moving to Cambridge, making plans, or already here, check below for relevant information.

Smiling family of four sitting on a couch

 Just arrived?

Find a settlement worker at the YMCA.

Settlement workers assist people to connect with the needed services available in the area that you live.
 Making a Refugee claim/Refugee claimant?

Learn more about the process and support at Compass Refugee Centre.

Whether you have recently made a refugee claim or you are already in the claimant process, no matter at what stage, reach out to get assistance and further support.
 Interested in Sponsorship?

 Contact the organizations below for support and more information. 
 Migrant worker support?

Resources are available at Migrant Workers Alliance for Change.

This migrant-led organization can provide you with information, resources and support, if needed.

Older black man sitting with grandson outside on the grass on a sunny day

Upcoming Events

 Cambridge Newcomer Connections October 2, 2021 (Oct 1 Session Postponed!)

Cambridge Newcomer Connections

 

The Cambridge Newcomer Outreach Program and Idea Exchange presents our first annual conference, Cambridge Newcomer Connections. This year’s virtual conference will be held on Friday October 1st, 2021 and Saturday October 2nd, 2021.

We welcome everyone to join us, there is something for everyone! The five sessions provide information, activities and gifts that help create a sense of community online.

Look below for links to the artists, organizations, planning committee members and gifts for this event!

Visit the local Idea Exchange - Queen Square location (1 North Square, Cambridge) for a Gift Bag!

This two-day conference has five separate events.  Register by clicking on each event below.

 

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada logo

Day 1: October 1, 2021 - SESSION POSTPONED

Due to an unexpected situation this session will be postponed. Stay tuned for more information on a new date and time. Sessions for Saturday, October 2 will continue as scheduled. 

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to having this important conversation at a later date. 

 

 Connecting Indigenous Reconciliation and Newcomers - SESSION POSTPONED

Where: Online

For Whom: Panel discussion – All are welcome

Speakers:

  • Jen Mt Pleasant (she/ her), Member of the Six Nations of the Grand River. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Justice & Community Engagement. Since, 2012 she has been raising awareness on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada and in 2013, began to include Missing and Murdered Indigenous Men and LGQBT+2S in her advocacy.
  • Selam Debs (she/ her/ hers), Black Ethiopian queer woman identified antiracism educator, an ant oppression coach, a social justice advocate, a student in dismantling anti-Black racism, an accomplice in dismantling anti-Indigenous racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and an advocate in 2SLGBTQ+ & disability rights through an intersectional lens. She is also the founder of Juici Yoga.
  • Alysha Brilla (she/ her), 3X Juno Award nominated artist, composer, sound designer, music producer and creative wellness facilitator; with a special interest in bioacoustics and sound as a healing modality, Brilla's work is driven by a deep belief in music's power to transform ourselves and our world.

 

Make sure you stick around for a performance by Alysha Brilla.

 

Gift:

  • Morningstar Design, painting by Alanah Jewell (she/her).  Alanah Astehtsi Otsistohkwa (Morningstar) Jewell is a mixed French-First Nations artist, and is Bear Clan from Oneida Nation of the Thames.  One conference attendee will win a painting inspired by the ‘Connecting Indigenous Reconciliation and Newcomers’ panel.

 

Day 2: October 2, 2021

Connecting and Belonging @ 9am

When: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Where: Online

For Whom: Craft for children and families

Register  

Artist:

  • Neva Ezzat (she/ they), Egyptian Canadian, radical advocate for feminism and Diversity who is an Artist and Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator for Kinbridge Community Association.
  • From September 20th until October 1st, 30 families can pick up a Craft Bag at Kinbridge Community Association Churchill location.  Each bag will include all the items needed for the virtual craft activity.

 

Speaker:

 

Gifts:

  • Gift Basket 
 Connecting Cambridge Newcomers and Supports @11am

When: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Where: Online

For Whom: Information about supports for everyone

Register 
 

Speakers:

 

Gifts:

  • Three conference attendees will win $ 100.00 worth of groceries.

 
Connecting Aging and Wellness @1pm

When: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Where: Online

For Whom: Yoga and supports and programs for Older Adults & Seniors

Register

Speakers:

 

Yoga Instructor:

  • Selam Debs (she/her), Owner, director and wellness Instructor of Juici Yoga

 

Gifts:
 Connecting Resilience and Vulnerability @3pm

When: 3:00 PM – 4:45 PM

Where: Online Here

For Whom: Mural and supports and programs for Youth and Young Adults

Register

Artists:

  • Trisha Abe (she/her), Painter, illustrator and muralist based in Kitchener, Ontario.  From September 27th until October 1st, 20 youth and young adults can pick up a Mural Bag at the Idea Exchange, Queen Street location.  Each bag will include all the items needed for the virtual mural activity.
  • Hiba ElMiari (she/her), third-generation Palestinian refugee born in Lebanon who is an aspiring Author and Poet.
  • Donnique Williams (she/her), Writer, poet and collage artist born to parents of the Jamaican diaspora.
  • Soundscape Enterprise is a collective founded by curatorial duo Lena Von Buren (she/her) and Jaime Chung (she/her), both fourth year Architecture students at the University of Waterloo.

 

Gift:

 Partners and Committee Members

Thank you to our Contributors

  • Alanah Jewell

  • Alysha Brilla
  • Cambridge Food Bank
  • Cambridge Newcomer Outreach Program
  • Compass Refugee Centre
  • Donnique Williams
  • Hiba ElMiari
  • House of Friendship – Family Outreach Program
  • Idea Exchange
  • Jen Mt Pleasant
  • Kinbridge Community Association
  • Neva Ezzat
  • Selam Debs
  • Soundscape Enterprise
  • Spectrum
  • Trisha Abe
  • Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council
  • Waterloo Regional Community Legal Services
  • YMCA
 Thank you to our Planning Committee
  • Abiha Syed, Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership, Community Engagement Coordinator
  • Donalee Mc Intyre, The City of Cambridge, Newcomer Outreach Coordinator 
  • Donnique Williams, Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation, Board of Directors
  • Fatima Naeem Awan, Kinbridge Community Association Youth Representative
  • Kawennakon Bonnie Whitlow, Indigenous Special Projects Officer, Indigenous Initiatives, Laurier Indigenous Student Centre /Brantford Campus,
  • Luana Rabelo, KW Multicultural Centre, Let's Talk Program Coordinator 
  • Marwa Gebeil, Kinbridge Community Association, Youth Newcomer Engager
  • Noor Al-Janabi, Cambridge YMCA Youth Representative
  • Poorna Patange, BRIDGE Centre For Architecture + Design
  • Rihanat El-Alawa, Kinbridge Community Association, Seniors Newcomer Engager
  • Shannon Markle, Idea Exchange
  • Sujude Kabar, Youth Advisory Cambridge Committee
  • Vanessa Lopak, The City of Cambridge, Supervisor, Accessibility and Diversity Services 
  • Zeri Zigeta, Kinbridge Community Association, Manager of Community and Social Development and Social Service

 

Seven smiling people of various races and ethnicities stand in a semi-circle outside

Newcomer Programs in the City

YMCA of Three Rivers Waterloo Region

The YMCA has provided services to newcomers since the 1980’s. Their programs include settlement support, language, mentorship and recreational activities. They are an important resource in the City of Cambridge for newcomers of all ages and stages of life.

Idea Exchange

Libraries are a central community resource, and the Idea Exchange also provides this for newcomers too. The various locations offer programs and activities for those who are new to Canada. This includes language, recreation, and information.

Cambridge Newcomer Outreach Program

Launched in 2020 by the City of Cambridge in collaboration with Kinbridge Community Association. The Newcomer Outreach Program was created through a settlement grant from Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada. Kinbridge Community Association offers programs to newcomer older adults and youth. This program strives to connect newcomers with services and support as they settle in the Cambridge area.  

Smiling couple sitting on a bench in front of greenery