Southeast Newcomer Services (SNS) aims to be a welcoming vehicle of hospitality throughout the Energy City for years to come.
The SNS opened their new location to the public on Jan. 2, and held their grand opening ceremony on April 23 with a gathering of staff, board members, city officials and those who have benefitted from the service.
One such beneficiary is Oksana Makovych, who used the service when she first moved here from Ukraine and is now working for SNS, having completed her permanent residency application last year.
"I had been working at a hotel in Ukraine and had a friend who had lived in Canada for two years, and she invited me to come," said Makovych, who arrived in the country on a temporary work permit. "I would never have thought that Saskatchewan would become my home. I'm happy. I'm happy to work here now."
Makovych first worked at the Tower Café, but started working at SNS in December 2013.
"Pete Sereggela was my boss and he picked me up from the airport. I still remember that. It was February, and it was -33C. I thought, 'It's so cold in Canada.' At the Tower Café I met so many good people. Everyone was so helpful. I find this community really friendly. That's why I like it."
Becky Wock, settlement adviser, said the move has been met with a positive response once everyone became aware of their Sixth Street location, having vacated their office at the Southeast Regional College that used to be located in the Estevan Comprehensive School.
"We've seen clients finding our new location. Our numbers are increasing each month. We're all moved in and people are aware of our new location," she said.
The move occurred as the SNS changed service providers from the regional college to Community Advocates for Employment. The organization is still funded by the Ministry of the Economy.
The new location has seen increased foot traffic, and Wock said they have many clients come in who have just driven or walked by and noticed their sign, something that would rarely have happened in their previous building.
"A lot of clients who don't drive, it's easier for them to get to us. We see them coming multiple times," she said. "We see more success with our clients because they're able to get here easier."
They see a wide mix of people who are very new to the community and those who are immigrating and have been in Estevan for awhile but still require their services. Wock said they also see more people coming in from provinces around Canada.
Attending the grand opening last week was Michel Cyrenne, Estevan CHmaber of Commerce executive director, and he said the program has an important role helping businesses retain employees.
"If people can't adapt to the community, it's nearly impossible for those businesses to retain those employees," he said, noting that with so many jobs still available in the city, it's necessary to hire from outside the local area.
SNS continues to provide wide-ranging services, including settlement adviser sessions, action planning (coming up with employment and education action plans), making referrals for language classes and connecting newcomers with various other services and organizations within the community, helping with health card applications and registering children for school.
"When I came to Canada, and my friend took me to the Southeast Newcomer Services, they registered me and offered me English classes. I was really surprised. Free English classes for immigrants," said Makovych. "In Ukraine, when you go and want to learn a foreign language, you have to pay money, and you have to hire a private teacher. Here, the government looks after immigrants and sets them up with classes."
She took English classes twice each week in the evening after she finished with work.
SNS also helped her get a health card, connecting her with the local health-care services. The service also hosts events, which help newcomers connect with others in the community.
"They have some events, like bowling nights, that helps you meet more people. Every newcomer who comes here, they usually work and stay at home because they don't have many friends, so events like that help put them together to help them get to know each other better," Makovych said.
In her time working at SNS, Makovych said she has enjoyed meeting other newcomers and helping them adjust to the community.
"It's really great. We get to meet so many people of different cultures. Most of them come from the Philippines, India and a lot of Ukrainians as well. It's nice to see how people live here and to help them."
"We're just a nice, fun place to be," said Wock, adding that they are a friendly and welcoming place for people to go to when they first arrive in town.
"They have so many questions. They need someone to listen to them, and sometimes it's really nice they can come and see us. We do our best to try to help them," said Makovych.
