The Welcome Basket project is an initiative led by Vanessa Borovich, a young resident of Whyte Ridge, aimed at making new families feel welcomed in the community. Inspired by her own family’s positive experience as newcomers from Uruguay in 2003, Vanessa wanted to extend the same warmth and sense of belonging to others.
In November 2022, she partnered with the Whyte Ridge Community Centre to launch the project. Vanessa reached out to local businesses for support, advertised in newsletters, and promoted the initiative at a Cultural Diversity Celebration co-hosted by Henry G. Izatt Middle School.
The initiative quickly gained traction, and new families started requesting welcome baskets. To date, Vanessa has successfully delivered over 30 baskets, with contributions from 10 local businesses.
Her dedication to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community has been recognized in the Manitoba Legislature, where she and her mother were honoured for their contributions to Fort Whyte.
Vanessa’s efforts serve as an inspiration, demonstrating the power of grassroots initiatives in building stronger, more connected communities.
A huge thank you to the following local businesses that generously contributed gift cards and coupons this year:
- Calabria Market
- Altea Active
- MR MIKES Steakhouse
- Oxygen Yoga
- Esthetics Studio By Viviana
- Cinnzeo Bakery Cafe
- Booster Juice Pembina & Grant
- Booster Juice Pembina & Bison
Are you new to Canada or our neighbourhood? Have you recently met a new neighbour on your street? We’d love to connect with you!
Contact us at communications@whyteridge.ca, and we’ll ensure you or your neighbour receives a special welcome package.
If you’re a local business and would like to join in welcoming new neighbours by contributing samples, coupons, gift cards, or sponsoring our Welcome Basket Initiative, we want to hear from you! Let’s work together to make Whyte Ridge a warm and welcoming community for everyone.
