Twenty-four newcomer service provider organizations are successful recipients of the Newcomer Community Connections Stream as part of the Newcomer Community Integration Support (NCIS) program. A total of $4 million from the Manitoba government is being provided to these organizations to support their projects and initiatives. 

Journalist Zuher Almusre from U Multicultural Channel spoke with Labour and Immigration Minister Jon Reyes to get more details about this announcement. 

"Attracting and retaining new immigrants has been identified as a key factor in Manitoba's post-pandemic economic recovery," according to a news release from Reyes' ministry. "This funding supports our government's vision of a skilled and talented Manitoba, a key component of which is to welcome newcomers and ensure they are able to participate fully in the community and contribute to a growing economy." 

The release goes on to say, "The NCIS program offers financial support to initiatives that improve newcomers' social and economic integration. For 2023, the program will provide $7.1 million in funding overall, including $3 million for Manitoba Start and $120 thousand for Recognition Counts." The Manitoba government announced in February that it was soliciting applications for the Newcomer Community Connections Stream. 

The 24 winning projects will share the $4 million in funding, doubling the amount invested last year. The Manitoba government is also making a three-year commitment to 12 of the selected projects, assuring there will be no delays in providing services fundamental to newcomers' integration and settlement in Manitoba. 

The NCIS program is in response to recommendations made in the recently released Immigration Advisory Council report to address the changing requirements of immigrants in their settlement and integration in Manitoba. 

Here is a list of organizations that have received funding for those newcomers seeking support;

• Bilal Community and Family Centre (BCFC);
• Canadian Muslim Women’s Institute (CMWI);
• Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM);
• Family Dynamics;
• Fédération des parents de la francophonie manitobaine;
• Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) Inc.;
• Immigrant Centre Manitoba Inc.;
• Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council Inc. (Welcome Place);
• Mosaic Newcomer Family Resource Network;
• New Journey Housing;
• Newcomers Employment & Education Development Services (N.E.E.D.S.) Inc.;
• North West Regional Immigrant Services Inc.;
• North West Regional Immigrant Services Inc. (Thompson pilot);
• Portage Learning and Literacy Centre Inc.;
• Regional Connections Immigrant Services;
• Société de la francophonie manitobaine;
• Steinbach Chamber of Commerce (Eastman Immigrant Services);
• Supporting Employment and Economic Development (SEED) Winnipeg Inc.;
• Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Manitoba Provincial Council, Inc.;
• Waverley EAL Consulting Inc.;
• West Central Women’s Resource Centre;
• Westman Immigrant Services;
• Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association; and
• Young Men’s and Women’s Christian Association of Winnipeg (YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg).

Stay tuned for more Civic discussions on Civic Platform: Stay tuned for more Civic discussions on Civic Platform: https://u-channel.ca/civic-journalism/    
Contact Zuher Almusre, our civic journalist, to share your story and explore civic issues at zuheralmusre@u-channel.ca.    
The project is funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage and administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS).