Starting something new is hard. But also, a little bit exciting. That kind of energy – and a whole lot of colour – filled the room as WoodGreen recently hosted its first Holi celebration, Colours of Care.
“Holi is a festival all about new beginnings, inclusion and the beauty of colours of all kinds coming together,” says Andrea Baptista, Development and Stewardship Manager at The WoodGreen Foundation.
An ancient, sacred tradition in the South Asian diaspora, Holi helps forge a sense of community. Fittingly, the event was held in support of WoodGreen’s Newcomer Services.
New Beginnings: The Spirit of Holi
Guests of the April celebration at the Toronto Hunt Club were invited to dress in traditional or colourful attire, bring an appetite and be ready to put on their dancing shoes. Those on hand did not disappoint:
A Holistic Approach to Newcomer Support
WoodGreen is known for helping newcomers successfully settle in Canada, thanks in part to its integrated care approach. The premise is simple: successfully settling in Canada takes more than just finding a job or knowing how to speak English. WoodGreen’s approach includes a comprehensive suite of programs:
- Settlement & Documentation Support
- Employment & Skills Training
- English Language Training (LINC)
- Mental Health & Well-being Counselling
- Housing & Community Navigation
- Newcomer Women’s Program (NCIP)
- Newcomer Youth Settlement Services
- Professional Bridging & Diplomas
WoodGreen welcomed 4,356 newcomers last year, from 124 countries.
Sharon: From Uncertainty to Empowerment
Sharon was one of them. Just this past Christmas Eve she arrived in Canada from Uganda.
“The biggest challenge newcomers like me face,” she told guests at Colours of Care, “is a lack of information about laws, policies, services … Where do I start, was the biggest question."
That’s when she heard WoodGreen Settlement Services Specialist, Hasita Shah, speak at an event about the mental health challenges facing immigrant families. The issue hit home for Sharon, a lawyer who has spent her entire career advocating for women and children facing abuse to access the justice system.
Since then, the mother of four says WoodGreen’s Newcomer Services have been invaluable, providing job search support, online courses, advice on foreign credential recognition and, most vital she says, “a listening ear".
“I am not afraid and lost anymore but feel empowered. I feel connected and plugged into a community of support with WoodGreen and I am truly grateful for their services, and the dedication and hard work of their staff.”
Newcomers: Strengthening Toronto
Toronto continues to attract newcomers at higher rates than elsewhere in the province, with 60% of those arriving in Ontario settling in the GTA.
“We know Toronto is a welcoming city,” said Shraddha Kothari Walker, Foundation Director and Event Chair, “but we also need to ensure that it is a place where everyone, including newcomers, have the opportunity, the connections, and the tools to succeed and thrive.”
Guests of the Holi Colours of Care celebration enjoyed cocktails and food stations followed by truly colourful entertainment.
“The room was full of people who care,” said James Temple, Chief Sustainability Officer at PwC Canada. “You could feel the authentic sense of community, connection and belonging.”
Tina Wolf, VP Business Development at Fittz Commercial Interiors praised the event’s organizers. “The evening truly reflected the power of coming together with purpose.”
The Holi Colours of Care event was made possible thanks to generous sponsors including the Sprott Foundation, TD Bank, John Tory and Allie Bradford, Brigette Chang, Bill MacKinnon and TJX.
If helping newcomers to Toronto matters to you, please consider supporting WoodGreen’s work so we can support newcomers on their way to success.
