Our Objectives
Provide English, orientation and citizenship classes for refugees and immigrants in the Queen and York area of Hamilton
Ensure that the classes are accessible in terms of location, times and approach to women with small children, seniors and other refugees and immigrants with specific needs
Provide quality childcare responsive to specific needs for the children of adults attending the English classes
Identify the needs of new immigrants and refugees and seek to address them on an individual or project basis
Promote and support the development of self-help groups for refugees and immigrants
Est. 1980
Our History
The Circle of Friends was founded in 1980 by a group of individuals representing various agencies in the Hamilton who came together to form a coordinating committee to respond to the settlement needs of government-sponsored refugees.
At that time many refugees from South-East Asia were arriving in Hamilton when settlement services were underdeveloped. To assist in the settlement of government-sponsored refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, the Coordinating Committee put in place a “Circle of Friends” host programme with a coordinator and trained volunteers to provide friendship and practical support to government-sponsored refugee families and single individuals. Other early initiatives included a clothing “store” and drop-in centre in an apartment at 151 Queen St. North. In 1981 Circle of Friends English classes for women, with a nursery for babies and toddlers, started in the basement of the building. A few months later Circle of Friends job-search classes for men began at a downtown Salvation Army centre.
English classes in the Victoria Park Community Centre at 155 Queen St. North supported by child care have continued to be a priority up to the present time.
In 1990 the Circle of Friends became a registered charity with Revenue Canada (now CRA) and was incorporated under the name Circle of Friends for Newcomers (Hamilton). Supported by grants from a number of agencies, the organization worked through the nineties to help new communities establish self-help groups; notably, the Hamilton Seniors Association for Chinese-Vietnamese seniors and the Khmer Youth Association of Hamilton (KYAOH) for Cambodian youth.
The Circle of Friends continues its tradition of responding to emerging needs. In 2017 we supported newcomer parents in a successful campaign to Keep Hess St. School Open. During the Covid-19 pandemic we partnered with the City of Hamilton to encourage vaccination among Circle of Friends students and other residents of the Village, and have hosted onsite mobile vaccination clinics since 2021.
Our Board
The Circle of Friends for Newcomers (Hamilton) is a not-for-profit registered charity governed by a volunteer board of directors. The Board of Directors consists of a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and up to 12 other members. New board members are asked to make a commitment of a minimum of one year.
Board Members 2023-2024
Jim Jones (Chair)
Elizabeth Sadler (Vice-Chair)
Lynne Ryall (Recording Secretary)
Suad Badri
Joanne Lewis
Brenda Marriott
Santa Rai
Hilda Rempel
Kathy Ta
Jane Quach
Responsibilities of Board Members
Attend board meetings (approximately ten per year) and the annual general meeting
Serve on a sub-committee as needed
Act as a representative of the board and the organization at community events, as required
Criteria for Selection as a Board Member
Commitment to the values and objectives of the Circle of Friends
Resident of Canada
Becoming a Board Member
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Board of Directors with the Circle of Friends for Newcomers (Hamilton), send an e-mail to COFnewcomers@outlook.com.
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