At the CSAI (Centre Social d’Aide aux Immigrants), we’re proud to be part of the Verdun Immigration Committee—a dynamic group dedicated to helping newcomers settle into the Verdun community. This committee, which brings together representatives from 18 community and institutional organizations, is all about working together to make integration easier for immigrants while ensuring that local services adapt to their needs.
Here’s an inside look at what the Verdun Immigration Committee has been up to and how these efforts are helping immigrants thrive.
Who’s Involved in the Verdun Immigration Committee? The Verdun Immigration Committee is coordinated by the Concertation en développement social de Verdun (CDSV), along with three key partners: TCFV, CSAI, and CSSMB. Together, we collaborate with representatives from 18 amazing local organizations, including:
- Action prévention Verdun (APV)
- Arrondissement de Verdun
- Maison CAFI (Centre d’aide aux nouveaux arrivants)
- CDSV
- Centre de pédiatrie sociale Les petits renards
- Centre des femmes de Verdun (CDFV)
- CIUSSS
- CPE Les trottinettes
- CSAI
- Centre de services scolaires M. B. (CSSMB)
- Demain Verdun
- J’apprends avec mon enfant (JAME)
- La maison bleue de Verdun
- Maison des familles de Verdun
- Maison du réconfort
- MANA
- SPVM
- Table famille de Verdun (TCFV)
- Toujours ensemble
This collaborative group meets to discuss the challenges newcomers face and brainstorm solutions. Our goal? To make Verdun a welcoming, supportive place for everyone.
Discover the history of the committee in video
Our Recent Collective Actions
Third Annual Welcome Day for Newcomers
On May 11, 2024, we hosted our third Welcome Day for New Arrivals—a festive and friendly event that brought 200 participants together at the Verdun Auditorium.
Here’s what the day included:
Information booths: Over 20 local organizations set up booths to share valuable resources with newcomers.
Family-friendly fun: Activities for kids kept the little ones entertained, while everyone enjoyed delicious tamales—a tasty nod to Mexican cuisine!
The goal was to warmly welcome new Verdun residents and connect them with the services and people who can help them integrate successfully. By all accounts, it was a resounding success! Every participating organization expressed excitement about hosting another Welcome Day next year.
Shoutout to the Organizing Team!
A big thank-you to Judith Beceryll (TCFV), Guy Lacroix (Arrondissement de Verdun), Sandra Bustamante (APV), Sylvie Guyon (CSAI), Monica Corréa (Toujours ensemble), Madeleine Bachand (Demain Verdun), Christiane Rochon (CDSV), and Érica Maraillet (JAME) for making this event possible!
Training for Local Organizations
We know that helping newcomers means equipping local organizations with the tools and knowledge they need. That’s why, each year, the Verdun Immigration Committee surveys community, institutional, and municipal partners to identify their training needs around immigration and cultural integration.
This Year’s Training Highlights
Demystifying Migration Status and Routes
Date: November 29, 2023
Trainer: Martin Savard, CSAI Project and Community Partnership Officer
What We Covered:
The unique needs of new arrivals.
Migration journeys, legal statuses, and social rights.
Strategies to tailor services and interventions.
The session was a hit, with 27 participants from 10 organizations attending. Here’s how they rated it:
100% felt the session improved their understanding and met its objectives.
93% walked away with actionable tools and ideas to better support immigrants.
Supporting Immigrant Parents and Children’s Rights
Date: April 25, 2024
Location: Maison Marie Gérin Lajoie
Focus: Helping community organizations better support immigrant parents while promoting children’s rights.
These sessions aren’t just about learning—they’re about fostering collaboration and empowering local groups to make a bigger impact.
Why These Actions Matter
At CSAI, we believe that integration is a two-way street. While newcomers adapt to their new environment, communities must also evolve to meet their needs. That’s the heart of what the Verdun Immigration Committee does—bringing people together, creating opportunities for dialogue, and implementing meaningful changes.
What’s Next?
As we look ahead, the Verdun Immigration Committee remains committed to welcoming immigrants and supporting their successful integration. Whether through festive events, practical training, or ongoing collaboration, we’ll continue to work toward a more inclusive and vibrant Verdun.
Want to get involved or learn more? Reach out to CSAI—we’re here to help!
