Updated on 11 June 2008

As part of its primary objectives, the Welcome Sub-Committee (WSC) of the Toronto ISIJ continues to provide support and assistance to several individuals and families who are new to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).  It can be challenging and worrying to move to a new city, country or even continent, and through this committee, the volunteers play an important role in assisting these newcomers by providing a smooth transition into the Toronto Jamaat and the city itself.

About the Welcome Sub-Committee (WSC)
The WSC provides support to new residents by:

• Pairing these individuals and/or families with ‘buddies’ who are existing and established members of the Jamaats;
  
  
• Presenting them with a ‘Welcome Pack’ containing Jamaat information, housing search tips, job search links, general information about the Greater Toronto Area, List of current members of the community who offer various services and a list of professionals and entrepreneurs who can be contacted for networking;
  
  
• Providing them with contact information of professionals in the community who can assist them in a professional capacity.

Services Provided by the WSC

Individuals and families who have recently moved to the GTA or know of any new immigrants who have done so, and are interested in the services offered by the WSC are encouraged to contact them.

As established members of the ISIJ, local residents can also help newly immigrated individuals and families by:

• Becoming a buddy. As a buddy, residents would be paired up with a new immigrant who has a similar profile to theirs (for instance, a similar career path or similar family profiles). Locals could help them by giving them advice on general ISIJ information, where to eat, places they can go to for sports/recreation, and so on.
  
  
• Advertising local businesses in the WSC Welcome Pack. All new immigrants who contact the WSC receive a package containing general helpful information to aid the  new immigrants in settling in better. For further information about the cost and other advertising details, please contact the WSC at one of the email addresses provided below.

The WSC expressed: “We are always looking for opportunities to find new families/individuals arriving in Toronto, as well as established members who are willing to assist with this humble cause (mostly by answering questions about the Jamaat, where to find halal foods, and so on).”

For more information, please visit www.jaffari.org or email welcome@jaffari.org or welcome.jaffari@gmail.com