MACC has been offering Settlement Services since June 2008. These services are free to all non-Canadian citizen newcomers to Carleton County and surrounding area.
Settlement Services are those services required by newcomers when they first arrive in the area, and those services can continue until they become Canadian citizens.
MACC will help:
- find accommodations;
- find sources of furnishings, appliances, accessories and supplies for the home;
- search out medical care and health care;
- assist with placement of children in the education system
- give directions for purchasing amenities for their new life, such as automobiles, appliances, mechanic services, trades people services when required
- guide newcomers to other specialized services which they may require
Settlement Services also includes activities and events which provide opportunities for the newcomers to integrate into the community.
MACC hosts:
- events of cultural flavor which helps showcase Carleton County’s diverse selection of ethnic groups;
- information sessions to give the newcomers guidance to integrating into local life;
- social activities where all cultures are invited to mingle;
- activities for all MACC members to experience local customs
Settlement Services also focuses on helping the newcomers ease into local society by matching up volunteers to work individually with a newcomer in a “Buddy System”. The volunteer spends time with the newcomer, showing them the finer points of life in Carleton County. This could include going together for a coffee, watching a hockey game at the local arena, taking a walk together, going fishing, quilting, scrapbooking, visiting and sharing a home cooked meal - any activity where the newcomer and the volunteer are enjoying their time together. This gives the newcomer great opportunities to meet local people and to practice conversational English.
Volunteers are also needed to act as English Language classroom mentors to work one on one with clients who are learning English as their second language.
Contact Rita Ebbett-McIntosh at (506)392-5420 if you are interested in volunteering to work with a newcomer or e-mail Rita, at rita@maccnb.ca.
.
