The first Durham Newcomer Day brought residents, community organizations and service providers together in Whitby, giving newcomers one place to learn about employment, housing, health care and other local supports.
The free event took place September 26 at Durham Regional Headquarters. A report published by Wesal TV through Frequency News said more than 50 tables and vendors participated, alongside cultural performances, food and children’s activities.
The Region of Durham organized the gathering as a welcoming event for people who have recently moved to Canada as well as longtime residents interested in local cultures and services.
Employment was a central concern
Whitby resident Sulaiman Rameen told Wesal TV that finding work has been one of his biggest challenges since moving from Afghanistan more than a year ago. He previously worked in information technology and attended the event hoping to make connections that could help him use his experience in Canada.
Rameen suggested that direct meetings and job fairs could help newcomers connect with employers.
The Durham Employment and Newcomer Centre was among the participating organizations. Executive director Lina Zakaria said many visitors were looking for employment help. The centre also connects people with organizations offering housing, health-care and settlement support.
Zakaria said the centre collected information from people whose questions could not be fully addressed during the event so staff could follow up and arrange appointments.
Event connected residents with services
Allison Hector-Alexander, Durham Region’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion, said the day was designed to make newcomers feel welcome and help them find services that can otherwise be difficult to locate.
Durham Region data from the 2021 census showed that immigrants represented about 28 per cent of the region’s population, or approximately 192,600 people.
Abayomi Joseph, who moved from Nigeria in 2025, said he learned about services in Durham that he had not previously known were available. He said more community gatherings could help newcomers understand the region and meet other residents.
Community groups and performers participated
Trent University Durham offered children’s activities at its booth. Faculty member Nour Hammami said some people she met had arrived in Durham only one or two months earlier and felt the community wanted them to be present.
Musician Donas Gonagin, originally from Cameroon, performed with the Donas Music Band. He said newcomers can face challenges involving language, housing and employment, and that events can also help small businesses and community groups meet one another.
Team Kartik Community Empowerment and Reintegration Centre was among the event sponsors. Its president said the gathering let visitors explore multiple education, technology and employment programs in one location.
The completed Durham Newcomer Day added personal accounts and service connections to the Region’s earlier event announcement, showing how participants used the first-time gathering in Whitby.
The event combined practical information with opportunities for people from different cultural backgrounds to meet informally. Visitors could move between employment, housing, education and community-service tables instead of contacting each organization separately. The Region also included food, music and children’s activities, broadening the day beyond a conventional information fair and giving families more ways to participate in the first regional gathering.
