Annapolis Valley Welcome Network

Hello neighbour, welcome home!

Annapolis Valley Welcome Network aims to build newcomer social connections, support newcomer integration, and increase community engagement in economic, social, political, and cultural life. We connect newcomers with local community ambassadors to build stronger, more integrated communities.

Our Welcome Groups assist newcomers facing challenges to successfully integrate into their new communities. Challenges can include language and culture barriers, health issues, unemployment, and limited social connections. It provides a platform for community engagement and addresses these challenges, ensuring that it complements the work of existing service providers and is tailored to the needs of individual newcomer families.

Since the mid-1990s, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has increasingly recognized the importance of engagement at the local level. Communities across Canada are recognizing the importance of newcomers. The Annapolis Valley Welcome Network is helping create a welcoming community where there is a strong desire to receive newcomers and where everyone works to create an environment within which newcomers feel at home.

Coming up for 2024, we are so happy to announce that we are partnering with Valley Community Learning Association, Flying Squirrel Adventures, YREACH Annapolis Valley, ISANS, along with YMCA Immigrant Services to offer more trainings and events such as Nature for Newcomers, Valley Community Suppers, various Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility workshops (please check Valley REN's social media or Annapolis Valley Welcome Network Facebook page for upcoming workshops)

Our welcome groups in the community has supports from the corresponding local municipal governments to make Annapolis Valley Welcome Network be sustainable and special. We would like to thank the tremendous support from Town of Berwick, Town of Kentville, Town of Wolfville, Municipality of the County of Kings, Village of Canning, Village of New Minas, West Hants Regional Municipality.

We now have a Facebook page where we post and share events in community across the Valley. facebook.com/annapolisvalleywelcomenetwork

What do community welcome groups do?

Some make phone calls, virtual visits, welcome baskets, meet ups for coffee,
hikes – it’s entirely up to the volunteers and the newcomers’ comfort level.