Chatham-Kent is increasing the visibility of different cultures, languages and services this week in an effort to make newcomers feel welcome.
Welcome Week is in full swing in the municipality, with several events and initiatives planned throughout the week, running until September 17.
Peter Sulman, the coordinator of the Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership, said Welcome Weeks provides an opportunity for the municipality to show that it continues to diversify.
“It increases the vibrantness of the community, it enhances the welcomeness of Chatham-Kent and it’s important for a smaller community like this to make efforts and strides in attracting people,” he said.
Sulman added that the annual event connects newcomers with the services available in Chatham-Kent, but also emphasizes their contributions to the community.
“It really enhances what’s already available to everyone but it brings all of that together… and increases the visibility of the different cultural community groups that are in Chatham-Kent, the different languages spoken, [and] the constantly increasing diversity that we see,” he said. “It’s really a celebration of immigrants and newcomers to Chatham-Kent and it gives everyone an opportunity to highlight that.”
For more information about Welcome Week in Chatham and for a full list of the week’s events, click here.
