Coming early to a meeting was not something I’m know for. My early arrival led to an invitation from Bob Hickey, Executive Director of Catholic Community Services of York Region to tour the brand new Richmond Hill Welcome Centre.

The Catholic Community Services organization provides a diverse range of counseling and settlement services to York Region residents. Bob’s organization is the lead agency that stick handled the complex partnering and funding relationships needed to bring this much needed resource to Richmond Hill.

Bob tells me that the Richmond Hill Welcome Centre is well on its way to serving over 7,000 people over the coming 12 months.

Recent research describes York Region as the fastest growing community in North America and the immigrant – newcomer population is driving this growth. This Centre was especially needed to serve the southern area of the Region.

What’s all this to do with social media. Well my view is that social media is about supporting people, relationships, opportunities and collaborative platforms for people to learn and meet their life goals.

The Welcome Centre is a HUB service, with partner groups using the facilities to deliver specific related services to the immigrant and newcomer population. In my mind, the HUB model is well on it’s way to developing into a “networked non profit“. It will be exciting to follow its development.

At the end of my tour I was left with a strong sense that the Welcome Centre succeeded in incorporating these social media qualities in their new facility. The Welcome Centre is truly an open, welcoming and inviting place for immigrants and newcomers to Canada.

As I was introduced to front line, admin and support staff , it was clearly evident that Richmond Hill Welcome Centre (staff and partner organizations) have created an inviting and friendly environment to serve the needs of the newcomer community.

I’m in these photos because Bob insisted, despite my efforts to get him to pose. Next time Bob

Brent Uncategorized welcome yorkregion newcomers