Weekly meet-up for new Canadians growing every week

WINNIPEG — One of Winnipeg’s resources for immigrants has been expanding every week. The English Cafe is a weekly meet up that partners new Canadians with volunteers. Hurmat Habib was once an attendee, and now she’s running the program.

“It’s very hard for people who left everything; their home, their relatives, their country,” Habib said. “It gave me confidence, and helped me learn English.”

The English Café has been running for the last 10 years. As more people choose to call Winnipeg home, the program continues to grow. On Tuesday there were about 40 people in attendance.

“There’s something we’re giving to them, in being able to help them integrate into our culture, and practice their English skills,” Arlene Friesen, one of the volunteers said. “But I feel like I gain a lot as well.”

Friesen has met people from all over the world while volunteering with the program for the last seven years. The English Cafe happens weekly, and is always looking for new volunteers.