2020

This article was submitted by our Linden Ridge resident. My name is Shelan Emre and I am a Bonze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Achiever. In March 2020 I attended Passion to Purpose which was an initiative developed under the Canada Service Corps, a federal program that is being developed by youth, for youth. The program aims to support young Canadians to get involved in the community through service opportunities. I shared my passion for newcomers and pitched my idea of developing this program. I received overwhelmingly positive feedback, and the grant was approved! I am the recipient of the Taking It Global Grant through Service Corps Canada and The Duke of Edinburgh International Award Program. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions my project was adapted from a full day event to a care package project. I provided care packages for 50 Newcomer Families in Winnipeg filled with summer essentials, school supplies, toys & games, snacks and toiletries. My hope was that the families would have essentials and activities to use during the summer and the stay at home recommendation. I am proud to say I have turned my community passion into meaningful action. I am so grateful for the opportunity to share my passion with the newcomer community. It has been so empowering to see how excited the kids are when they receive their package!! I have been able to provide care packages for families within the Kurdish, Arabic and Syrian community along with a organizations that work closely with Newcomers including CMWI (Canadian Muslim Women’s Institute), IRCOM (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba), MANSO (Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations), Welcome Place and NEEDS (Newcomer Employment and Education Development Services). For more information on this initiative please contact Shelan Emre at  shelan@mymts.net.