WE LIP Success Story | May 2025
On May 15, 2025, the Windsor Essex Local Immigration Partnership (WE LIP) held its Spring Council Meeting at the Ciociaro Club, bringing together community partners, service providers, and council members for a morning of knowledge sharing, partnership-building, and dialogue.
The meeting opened with a warm welcome and land acknowledgement delivered by WE LIP Chair, Ronnie Haidar, setting a respectful and inclusive tone for the day. Attendees were then invited to learn about impactful work taking place across the region through a series of engaging presentations:
- Stacey Yannacopoulos from New Beginnings shared programs and initiatives that support youth in Windsor-Essex.
- Rashmi Lakkaraju from Cougar Immigration highlighted services and consultations available to International Students.
- Dr. Queen Eghujovbo from African Village Africain Community presented on culturally responsive programming supporting African newcomers in the region.
- Émilie Joncas of Réseau-Femmes du Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario showcased services and supports for Francophone women and families.
The presentations were broken up into two parts to allow for a mid-morning break & networking activity, inviting members to participate in a lively team-building exercise. Forming a circle, council members tossed a beachball featuring reflective questions designed to encourage storytelling, connection, and deeper understanding of one another’s missions before returning back to the final two presentations.
The meeting concluded with WE LIP project updates and announcements shared by Kelsey Santarossa, Director of Community & Workforce Development. In alignment with WE LIP’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion, the council meeting slide deck was made available in French to ensure all members could review the content in their preferred language.
This successful spring council meeting not only highlighted the strength of local programs and services, but also reaffirmed the importance of cross-sector collaboration in building a welcoming and supportive community for newcomers in Windsor-Essex.
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