Issue 10 Branch Out! April 20131

branch out!
www.immigratetosmithsfalls.ca April 2013
Issue Ten
Newcomer Profile
Haerishton Lima,
Veterinarian at Lanark Veterinary Clinic
» Home Country: Brazil
» How long have you lived in Smiths Falls? Six years
» What do you like best about Smiths Falls? Spring gardens and
the Rideau Canal
If you know a newcomer in our community, encourage them to visit The Smiths Falls Local Immigration Partnership to link
them with local settlement agencies and programs such as: free ESL training, settlement counselling, employment
workshops and more. Located at 77 Beckwith St N, Smiths Falls.
Community News
Smiths Falls earns nomination for national Community of the Year Award from Welcome Wagon
The Town of Smiths Falls was one of eight communities across Canada nominated for a 2012
Community of the Year Award by an organization noted for the welcome it provides to those new to a
community.
While the winners of the award from Welcome Wagon were Grand Bend, Ontario; Newmarket, Ontario;
High River, Alberta and Barrie, Ontario, the local representative for Welcome Wagon considers it an
honour that Smiths Falls was nominated. Pauline Anderson also believes the work of the Smiths Falls
Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) Project may have contributed to the nomination.
“I believe the support of the LIP Council and also the introduction of the Welcoming Dinner for
Newcomers provided excellent civic involvement with Welcome Wagon,” Pauline says.
On Sunday, January 27, in partnership with Welcome Wagon and the LIP Project, Trinity United Church
hosted a Welcoming Dinner in the church hall. Anyone who was a new resident of the Smiths Falls area
in the past two years was invited to attend with close to 30 people being in attendance.
In order to be eligible for the Community of the Year
Award, a community is expected to have Welcome
Wagon's three basic programs in place – visits to
people who move there, expectant or new parents and
couples planning a wedding.
This is the second time Smiths Falls has been honoured
by Welcome Wagon nationally, having been named
Community of the Year for a population of less than
10,000 in the early 1990s.
Newcomers to the Smiths Falls area who contact
Welcome Wagon receive a package containing a letter
of Welcome from the Mayor, a map and a telephone
book, plus information about the town. Recipients also
get a little gift and an invitation to meet personally with
various local businesses and receive a further free gift
or service.
Anyone who is new to the Smiths Falls area or knows
someone who has just moved or will be moving here
is encouraged to call Pauline at 613-283-7655.
Explore new horizons and cultures with the Library and LIP staffs
monthly pick highlighting stories and authors from around the globe.
Ru
Written by Kim Thuy, translated by Sheila Fischman
Vintage Canada, 2012
This semi-autobiographical novel won the Governor General's
Literary Award for Fiction. Ru is the story of a professional
Vietnamese woman who left Vietnam for Quebec. It is made up
of short vignettes, moving back and forth in time and place, as it
delves into the refuge experience and the loss of one's homeland.
Kim Thuy, the author, spent her early childhood in Vietnam before
coming with her parents and settling in the Montreal suburb of
Longueuil.
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About the Author
Kim Thuy Ly, is a double Université de Montréal graduate, with degrees
in law and linguistics & translation.
Now a devoted writer, Thuy has also worked as an interpreter,
seamstress, lawyer and ran a restaurant in Montreal for many years.
She has described Ru as a tribute to her personal heroes and a
homage to the Canadians who welcomed her.
Get involved!
Take A Walk In My Shoes Maze in Lanark County
This maze will take participants through the thoughts, feelings and emotions of people who are
attempting to secure the most basic necessities of life: food, shelter and money. Come learn more
about what resources are available in our community. Let's start the conversation about gaps, barriers,
and possible solutions.
Who should attend: Community Agencies,
Businesses, Local Leaders and Community Members
Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Time: 8:30 am until 4:00 pm
(Refreshments and a light lunch will be served)
Location: Royal Canadian Legion,
Perth-Upon-Tay Branch
26 Beckwith St. East, Perth, Ontario K7H 1B5
In partnership with: United
Way of Lanark County:
Employment Resources: Information and Training Opportunities
April is Trades Month at ontrac!
Presenters are Industry Professionals speaking about employment in their
trade and answering questions. Please see the workshops being offered below:
Monday April 8th: Carpentry Presenter
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Tuesday April 9th: Trucking & HEO Presenter
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Tuesday April 9th: Automotive Presenter
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Wednesday April 10th: Hair Styling Presenter
9:00-11:00 a.m.
Thursday April 11th and Friday April 12th:
CPR/First Aid (2days)
8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. $120.00
Tuesday April 16th: Food Handlers Training
8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.$25
Wednesday April 17th: Smart Serve
12:00-4:00 p.m.
Thursday April 18th: Chef Presenter
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Tuesday April 23rd: Refrigeration and Gas Presenter
10:00 a.m.
Monday April 29th and Tuesday April 30th:
CPR/First Aid (2days)
8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. $120.00
$22.50
More presenters to be announced. For more information about each
presenter refer to the workshop schedule at getontrac.ca/events/2013-04/
*Spaces are limited -All Training and Workshops require pre-registration*
Canadian Experience
International students score hockey tickets
International students enrolled at Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute this school year had an
opportunity to experience Canada's national winter sport – ice hockey -- as the Smiths Falls Junior A
Bears hockey team provided tickets to the students to attend one of their final home games.
Thanks to the generosity of a member of the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) Council, host parents
were able to attend as well.
Based on the feedback received, students who participated really enjoyed the experience.
"It was a very fun experience and I am thankful for the opportunity,” said Seo-Yeon who was in
attendance at the Feb. 15th hockey game with host family members Greg, Marion and Leah-Joy
Gaensler. Added Greg, “we also enjoyed the time with her and our great Canadian sport.”
A good time was had as well by host parent Bev Hitchins and international students Jay and Ison who
attended the Bears' final home game of the season on March 1. “They both said the hockey game was
very exciting,” said Bev.