WE LIP Success Story | November 2024
On November 7th, 2024, the Windsor Essex Local Immigration Partnership (WE LIP) hosted its Annual Community Forum at Caesars Windsor. This yearly gathering brought together council members and community partners to celebrate collective achievements, foster collaboration, and reflect on 15 years of impactful contributions to settlement and integration in the Windsor-Essex region.
Here are the Highlights of the Event:
- Warm Welcome and Acknowledgements: The event commenced with a heartfelt welcome from WE LIP Chair, Ronnie Haidar, who set an engaging tone for the day by acknowledging the dedication and contributions of all council members and community partners.
- Special Address from IRCC Minister: A significant highlight was a special address by Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Mark Miller. Minister Miller praised WE LIP’s instrumental role over the past 15 years in fostering a more inclusive Windsor-Essex, recognizing the partnership’s efforts in advancing settlement and integration initiatives.
- WE LIP Executive Elections: During the forum, the updated Terms of Reference was presented by Kelsey Santarossa, Director of Community & Workforce Development, followed by the announcement of the 2024-2025 Executive Committee. Gratitude was extended to outgoing members Marion Fantetti (Invest WindsorEssex) and Rama Musharbash-Kovacsi (Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board) for their service and contributions. The newly elected Executive Team, including Vice Chair Dr. Riham Al-Saadi, and members at Large, Joan Simpson and Laura Strathdee, were acclaimed and welcomed by the membership.
- Spotlight on Francophone Immigration: The forum also featured an insightful session on Francophone immigration and settlement successes, co-led by WE LIP Executive Francophone Member, Yasmine Joheir, and Directory of Community & Workforce Development, Kelsey Santarossa. This session provided an overview of the region’s Francophone strategic plan development that will begin implementation over the following months.
- Launch of the WE Belong Podcast: A milestone moment was the announcement of the WE Belong Podcast by WE LIP Lead & Podcast Host, Aaron Fauteux. Attendees were treated to a preview of the first two episodes, featuring Chair Ronnie Haidar and a client from the Centre communautaire francophone Windsor-Essex-Kent. This podcast aims to amplify voices, share stories, and celebrate the diversity of Windsor-Essex.
- Introducing the Welcoming Community Awards: In honour of WE LIP’s 15th anniversary, the inaugural Welcoming Community Awards ceremony was introduced. This ceremony celebrated the outstanding contributions of individuals, organizations, institutions, and employers that exemplify a commitment to building welcoming and inclusive communities. Ten honourees were recognized at the forum, each embodying the spirit of collaboration, inclusion, and service. Congratulations to the all the award recipients, and a special thank you to Dr. Riham Al-Saadi from Transparency Counselling Services for the beautiful bouquet donations. For a list of honorees, visit welip.ca.
- A Surprise from WE LIP Chair: During the forum, Chair Ronnie Haidar presented the WE LIP Star, a symbol of the incredible work and collective efforts of the council. This thoughtful gestures serves a reminder of the dedication and passion that drives WE LIP’s initiatives. A heartfelt thank you to Ronnie for this meaningful token of appreciation.
The slide deck from the Annual Community Forum was concurrently made available in French to accommodate members who preferred to review the content in that language.
The 2024 WE LIP Annual Community Forum was more than a gathering – It was a celebration of partnerships, accomplishments, and the shared vision of an inclusive Windsor-Essex. WE LIP extends its heartfelt gratitude to all council members, partners, and attendees for this making this event a resounding success.
Download a PDF copy of this Success Story here:
