What was the initiative?

My initiative aimed to assist with the integration and empowerment of the newcomer’s community in Kingston, Ontario. Through community conversations, our group of self-identified newcomers and community allies, have developed initiatives to advance specific economic, social, and cultural integration strategies.   

What was the community connection?

My relationship with the community first developed during my childhood as my family acted engaging with the community by providing academic and social support for former refugees studying at Queen’s University/ I was also fortunate enough to work with the community on the Canadian Council for Refugees, Better Together campaign, where we highlighted the economic and social benefits newcomers bring to Kingston.

What were some significant achievements?

The initiative provided a space for newcomers to network and connect with one another. Facilitating these connections is significant in fighting social isolation among newcomers. My efforts this year has also garnered more interest and status for the Immigrant-Led Working Group. Practically, this means that the initiative has strengthened a group devoted to newcomer civic engagement and will encourage more newcomers to actively participate in the community through future initiatives.  

How was it innovative?

We’ve created a space to facilitate constructive dialogue among newcomers, where we have been able to openly discuss the main barriers facing newcomers integrating into Kingston and actively engaging in the community and come up with innovative initiatives to overcome said obstacles. The initiative has therefore shifted the conversation away from groups who mainly focus on venting and peer support and added in the element of community action in response to the hardships faced by newcomers.  

What is Lauren doing now?

Lauren is still living in her community in Kingston, ON and working towards law school in the hopes of becoming an immigration and refugee lawyer.