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Making Friends and Finding Your Community
Making Friends and Finding Your Community
Many migrant workers find it challenging to establish meaningful relationships due to language barriers, work schedules, and cultural differences. However, connecting with others is key to a successful transition to life in Canada. If you're new to Canada, or to Whistler and the Sea to Sky, one of the best ways to start adapting and learning about your new community is to make new connections. Many community centres and local organizations offer regular activities, events, and programs that welcome everyone, helping you feel more at home and included.
Here are some ideas to help you get connected...
Get Involved in Your Local Community
Get Involved in Your Local Community
Join Local Groups: Meeting people and making friends is important for your well-being. You can start by going to local churches, joining social or cultural groups, or join a sports or recreation club. Many community centers offer regular activities, events, and programs that welcome everyone, helping you feel more at home and included.
Attend Community Events: Community centres and local groups often organize free or low-cost activities such as workshops, social events, and cultural celebrations. These can be a great way to meet new people, build connections, and learn more about your local area. Be sure to check bulletin boards, websites, or Facebook groups for upcoming events that you can join.
Volunteering is a great way to connect with others while giving back to your community. In Canada, many local organizations rely on volunteers to help with their programs. Depending on your schedule, and how much free time you have, you can volunteer regularly or just for special events and activities.
The most important thing is to find what you are interested in and then make that first step to go out and participate.
Where to start..
Where to start..
Connect to the Whistler Multicultural Network (WMN), Squamish Multicultural Network (SMN), and Pemberton Multicultural Network (PMN) run regular workshops, wellness and fitness activities for newcomers and immigrants.
If you're interested in sports and other hobbies, check out the community listings of associations and activities
For Whistler activities, check
Meadow Park Recreation Centre programs.
local clubs and associations are listed by the local municipality
In Squamish...
Check this listing of Squamish associations
In Pemberton...
Pemberton Village listings
Contact Whistler Multicultural Society for volunteering opportunities... we're always looking for volunteers especially to share their cultures, knowledge, and skills with community members. For example..
be a cultural ambassador and facilitate a multicultural summer camp day, share your food with others at a Multicultural Community Kitchen, demonstrate a cultural craft or perform at the Whistler Multicultural Festival
share a skill or experience that you bring with you - anything from teaching yoga, or nutrition, or talking about your customs and traditions
Improve your English to make daily life easier
Improve your English to make daily life easier
The more comfortable you feel speaking and communicating in English, the more comfortable you'll feel in everyday life and work... Learning English can help you communicate better, find more job opportunities, and feel more confident.
There are formal ways to work on your English...
Take English classes: in Whistler and Squamish you may be able to access free English classes for newcomers (depending on the level you already speak). These classes are a great way to improve your skills and meet other people in similar situations. You may also be able to request a free tutor. Outside of free classes and lessons, check out private tutors and some private classes that are advertised locally.
Join Conversation Groups: Conversation groups are informal gatherings where people practice speaking English. These groups are a comfortable way to practice speaking with others in a relaxed setting. They often meet at local community centres or libraries and are a good place to improve your language skills while making new friends.
Do an activity in English: It's important to remember that any time you use English to communicate, it will improve and make you feel more connected. So, there's no need to worry if you don't have time for English classes or your schedule means you can't make it. In fact, it's really important (perhaps more important!) that you practice speaking English outside of any classes...
do what you enjoyed at home - if you're already familiar with the activity (e.g. sport, hobby, fitness), then it's easier to fit into a group in your new community. Local groups and clubs will welcome your experience and expertise.
find a new activity to learn - if you find it exciting to learn new things, or have always wanted to try something, take the opportunity to start something you've always wanted to try.
Resources
Resources
Whistler Multicultural Society – Cultural events, networking, and volunteering opportunities
Whistler Pemberton Newcomer Services – English classes and support for new residents
Duolingo – Online language learning
Whistler Library – Language learning, Free IELTS classes.
If you want more information about getting connected in Whistler, contact your Migrant Worker Support Worker
Email: adam.ravalia@wmsociety.ca Tel: 604.935.6686
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