After more than 500 signs and stickers were distributed last year for people to put on display as a sign of openness to newcomers in Sarnia-Lambton, a group focused on strengthening immigrant integration locally is looking for a repeat.
Signs are again available, via local library branches, for the return of the Sarnia-Lambton Local Immigration Partnership’s All Are Welcome Here Campaign.
Taking a cue from a similar campaign in London and Middlesex, the sign and sticker campaign promotes respectful co-existence and inclusion, officials said in a press release.
The campaign is also through the three-year-old Sarnia-Lambton Anti-Racism, Discrimination and Inclusion Committee (SLARDIC) that’s part of a larger welcoming campaign underway, said the immigration partnership’s Stephanie Ferrera.
“Ongoing there will be other events to showcase the all-are-welcome concept,” she said.
Committee officials are distributing signs and stickers at Lambton Mall Sunday, from 2-4 pm, and encouraging people to write down “local acts of welcome” for a draw for a Lambton Mall gift card.
“You will be asked if you’d like to share a story where you either witnessed or conducted yourself an act of kindness to someone who is new to the community,” Ferrera said.
“It’s a great venue through which people can have discussion with our staff and talk about maybe things they witnessed in the community, to learn a little bit more about SLARDIC and how they can express their support.”
The committee stems from a provincially funded anti-racism arts program, she said.
“This is just sort of a kickoff.”
A newcomer welcome day with food, gifts and crafts at the YMCA Learning and Career Center in Sarnia was Friday, amid Sept. 9-18 newcomer welcome week, Ferrera said.
“We started participating a couple of years ago now, but it was during COVID, so we’ve had a lot of virtual events,” she said.
A strategy for more events, and to gauge the effectiveness of the campaign are underway, she said.
“As a group we’ll be going through a number of activities that we are hoping will help to move this movement forward,” she said. “Once it’s adopted by the committee we’ll be able to start implementation. So we’re at very early stages.”