It is important for newcomers to Canada to make friends and integrate into the community. There are several clubs, organizations, and programs that help new immigrants with meeting people in Sarnia-Lambton and learning about Canadian culture.
Host Program
The Host program helps adult newcomers and their children adjust to life in Canada and learn about Canadian values and traditions. With the assistance and understanding of Host Program volunteers, newcomers to Canada feel more at home in their new country. "Hosts" are Canadian friends. They lend support, help with language barriers and introduce newcomers to their new community. The Host Program recruits and trains volunteer hosts and then establishes compatible matches between them and new immigrants of all ages. The matches are based on criteria such as similar interests, family size, age, and profession. There are no costs for the participants.
For more details, contact Marie Watson, Host Coordinator at the YMCA Immigrant Services:
Esso YMCA Learning and Career Centre
660 Oakdale Ave.
Sarnia, ON N7V 2A9
Telephone: 519 336-5950, ext. 244
Fax: 519 336-1350
E-mail: marie@ymcacomsoc.org
For information about the Host Program in French contact Suzanne Quinn at ACFO de London-Sarnia:
112 Christina St. S.
Sarnia, ON N7T 2M6
Telephone: 519 332-2600
Fax: 519 332-2688
e-mail: squinn@acfo-ls.org
Canadian Culture
Moving to Canada requires many adjustments, including learning about Canadian culture. The longer you live in Canada, the more you will learn about customs and the way people interact. Visit the Going to Canada website for information about Canadian People.
Settling into a new country may be difficult and bring some challenges. Fitting into a new culture or raising children in your new home may cause some stress or loneliness. This is often referred to as "Culture Shock". It is important to know that there are resources available in Sarnia-Lambton to help if you are struggling with culture shock including settlement services, health services, and places of worship.