A very good read in Toronto Star about Wintegration – Winter expedition for newcomers that was put together by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority in coordination with CultureLink Immigrant Services in Toronto.

The “Wintegration Club,” a program run by CultureLink immigrant services, offers one answer: immersion experiences in a Canada even many native-born urban Canadians may not know much about.

CultureLink serves newcomer clients within the city of Toronto, and offer various programs that are designed for and delivered to our identified target population.

Over the past two decades, program offerings have expanded as a result of the changing needs of new immigrants. Currently, settlement services are provided through CultureLink’s two major programs: Employment Services and Community Connections. The Employment Services program supports the employment needs of newcomers, offering assistance with finding employment commensurate with skills and education. The Community Connections program recognizes the reciprocal settlement process and thus offers a variety of services to assist new immigrants with settling and integrating in the welcoming Canadian society.

In addition, CultureLink offers other innovative programs to meet the specific needs of new immigrants, including our Newcomer Settlement Program serving refugees and immigrants, Newcomer Youth and Seniors’ Services for our young and older adults, as well as Green Settlement projects promoting and fostering healthy and sustainable lifestyles for all new Canadians.

These programs, services, and activities all focus on assisting and helping new immigrants overcome settlement barriers and maximize their potential. We bring services and programming to newcomer youth, seniors, and adults from all countries, religions, and status.
(Source CultureLink website)

Excerpt from TorontoStar

What makes you a “real” Canadian?
For some immigrants, at least, it might be the ability to actually enjoy a frigid Canadian winter, with traditional activities like skating, skiing, tobogganing, curling and making maple syrup. But how is a newcomer supposed to learn these skills?
The “Wintegration Club,” a program run by CultureLink immigrant services, offers one answer: immersion experiences in a Canada even many native-born urban Canadians may not know much about.
On a recent sunny winter Sunday, a group of 31 immigrant adults and eight children hopped on a yellow school bus for a 45-kilometre trip to the Albion Hills Conservation Area in Palgrave, an hour’s drive north of Toronto, to try snowshoeing, an energetic winter activity with a long history among Canada’s First Nations.
…………………………….
Continue reading on Toronto Star website
Image Source: Toronto Store (Credit given with the picture)