The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba was pleased to provide the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) with funds in support of their “Family-to-Family” program, which connects new immigrant and refugee families with Canadian families in an effort to form friendships, widen world views and cushion culture shock.

“The program aspires to address some of the transitional settlement challenges facing new immigrant and refugee families by bringing together ethnically diverse families,” says Noëlle DePape, Executive Director of IRCOM. “Through this program, families work together towards decreasing culture shock, isolation, cross-cultural stereotypes and prejudices.”

Participating immigrant and refugee families had nothing but positive comments about the experience. “We really liked the program because it helped us learn about other families and their culture,” said one immigrant participant. Canadian families also learned something from their immigrant and refugee counterparts. “As Canadians, we live busy lives and often forget to appreciate what we have. We learned more about the challenges that Canadian newcomers face,” said one Canadian family participant.

IRCOM is extremely pleased with the results of this year’s program. “It was remarkable to see families building relationships that strengthened their understanding of diversity and improved their ability to contribute to a more fair and equitable Winnipeg,” says DePape. “We look forward to hearing how the families involved in this program continue to meet together and grow in their friendships.”

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba is able to assist a wide range of organizations that provide services and improve the quality of life in our community.

The next Grant application deadline is June 15, 2010. To apply for a Grant, click here.