For two years the Morden Newcomer Welcome has not met in person with virtual meetings only lasting a short time into the pandemic. With travel barriers in immigration over that time, there was little to nobody coming through the Morden Immigration Initiative. Immigration Coordinator Shelly Voth said it was good to welcome new people into Morden, in person.

"It's been really great because we haven't had our newcomer welcome evenings for a couple of years, and this is our first one. We started a little bit smaller and did it with just the people that have arrived in the last couple of months and it was absolutely fantastic to get back into the groove of hearing stories, and having them encourage each other, and talking about how long they've been in Morden, and how happy that they are here."

Morden Immigration Coordinator Shelly Voth (submitted photo)

In the past, these nights have been designed for those living in Morden to welcome newcomers and to have the newcomers meet each other.

Oleksandr Gadaiev arrived in Canada a week ago with his family Anna and their 3 children from Ukraine. He said they were lucky to be here as after their flight the airport closed all the destinations out of the country.

"This evening is really good. It's really a good event because we met a a lot of newcomers so we can see that we are not the only people that are coming here. they shared their stories we shared our story. We were lucky to see a lot of country mates, Ukrainians, here. But the people from Asia and worldwide are very good to meet because it's a new experience for us."

Gadaiev remarked it was a night to see his children having fun and he and his wife were able to talk with other newcomers who have been in Morden a little longer than them and ask questions and learn from their experiences.

After seeing an ad for welders needed in Morden on social media, Ravinder Pal Singh came to Morden to fill the much-needed role in the welding industry. He is originally from India but has been working as a welder in Australia for the last 5 years. Singh talked about the welcome he received at Wednesday's event.

"Before I was a bit shy, but now I feel very confident because all our new here, almost new. There is one family that has come here around a week ago and I'm almost here two weeks. The people are really nice and warm."

Voth said the Newcomer Welcome nights will be running every two weeks at the 500 Stephen Street building and will remain smaller, until there is clearer direction on Provincial Health Regulations in the coming days.