About Us
The Newcomers Waterloo Region portal was created to support immigrant newcomers and their families settle in Waterloo Region and attract skilled immigrants matching local employment needs. The portal was created for prospective and recent immigrants, as well as employers, community organizations, governments, and other agencies or individuals.
History
The Newcomers Waterloo Region Portal was launched in March 2009. It was developed through partnerships between many organizations across Waterloo Region. It is hosted and led by the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Waterloo Public Library and the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network (WRIEN) – a network of many groups working with newcomers across Waterloo Region.
The Newcomers Online Waterloo (NOW) portal, launched in 2007, was a foundation for the Newcomers Waterloo Region portal. In 2005 the Waterloo Public Library, in partnership with the University of Waterloo Computer Systems Group and other community groups received funding from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada to develop the Newcomers Online Waterloo (NOW) portal.
Teamwork
Newcomers Waterloo Region was created through teamwork. Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Waterloo Public Library and the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network (WRIEN) lead the development of Newcomers Waterloo Region portal. The following organizations also contributed to the portal in many ways:
- Canada's Technology Triangle Inc.
- City of Cambridge
- City of Kitchener
- City of Waterloo
- Community Coalition of Refugee and Immigrant Concerns
- Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
- Focus for Ethnic Women
- Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre
- Kitchener Public Library
- Kitchener Waterloo Multicultural Centre
- Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support
- Reception Centre
- Social Planning Council of Cambridge and North Dumfries
- Social Planning Council of Kitchener Waterloo
- St. Louis Adult Learning & Continuing Education Centres
- The Working Centre
- University of Waterloo
- Volunteer Action Centre of K-W and Area
- Waterloo Region Catholic School Board
- Waterloo Region Community Legal Services
- Waterloo Region District School Board
- Waterloo Regional Police Service
- Waterloo Wellington Training and Adjustment Board
- Wilfrid Laurier University
- YMCA Cross-Cultural and Immigrant Services
Immigrants were involved all through the project in focus groups, testing, and consultation. Their input was especially important in creating this portal.
The Newcomers Waterloo Region Portal was developed with generous funding from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration.
Waterloo Public Library maintains the content of the portal and responds to questions.
If you have questions or comments please contact us.