The city is getting ready to hold Newcomer Day, a free event at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
The event is ultimately intended to help individuals and families that are new to Toronto understand and access a wide range of services while also celebrating their contributions to the city.
Anna Jasinska, of the Toronto Centre for Learning and Development, said the event has a positive impact on newcomers to the city and the community overall.
“It’s great to be able to get back together with people after such a long time, and to really see the overwhelming support that the city offers to newcomers and immigrants.”
The Toronto Centre for Learning and Development will have an information booth at the event with free Henna and other resources regarding their programs and supports for newcomers.
The City of Toronto press release said that Newcomer Day will feature a range of activities including a formal stage program, a citizenship ceremony for new Canadians, tours of City Hall, a marketplace, and an information fair.
Participants will be able to experience a 30-minute HistoricTO neighbourhood walking tour, a Tipi design workshop with information about Indigenous culture, a mock voting exercise to encourage civic engagement, and they can also learn about the history of Toronto’s Chinatowns.
In addition to the wide variety of activities for individuals and families outlined above, the event will include free Tim Hortons beverages for attendees, and various other prizes and giveaways.
Toronto Public Health will also be holding a COVID-19 vaccination clinic which will be offering first, second, third, fourth and paediatric doses of COVID-19 vaccine to anyone who is eligible on a walk-in basis.
Mayor John Tory commented on the vaccination effort at the event.
“We are working to help everyone who calls our city home get vaccinated.”
Tory in the press release also thanked public health workers for their efforts to protect the community.
“Thank you to Toronto Public Health and all members of Team Toronto for your ongoing work to help residents get vaccinated including at the Toronto Newcomer Day in Nathan Phillips Square.”
In combination with the COVID-19 vaccination clinic, Toronto Public Health offers a number of programs and services to new immigrants post arrival in Toronto, including free dental screening and care for eligible residents, and advice for pregnant women and new mothers.
Event highlights for Toronto Newcomer Day Include:
· Performances
· Colouring for children
· Food trucks
· Interactive activities
· Information fair
· Marketplace
· Food fair
· Prizes and giveaways