A ‘Welcome’ Lesson

My husband Dave and I recently had the pleasure of exploring Newfoundland’s southern coast. We traveled by ferry to several outports – small, isolated communities accessible only by boat.

Sadly, outport communities are dwindling in numbers as the cost to maintain education and healthcare in these areas becomes prohibitive for government. Employment, too, is a major concern. To make ends meet, many residents spend a few months of each year working in other regions of Canada where jobs are more plentiful.

We were struck by how welcoming and generous the residents of these unique coastal communities were despite their hardships. The ferry’s arrival was clearly a focal point of their lives. A friendly crowd greeted us at each stop, instilling an immediate sense of belonging. Instead of strangers visiting for the first time, we were treated like returning friends.

I can’t help but think how wonderful it would be if all newcomers to the KW area could feel the way Dave and I did on our journey. United Way supports several programs and initiatives aimed at helping newcomers gain a sense of acceptance and belonging. We also support efforts to reduce barriers such as discrimination and help newcomers find suitable employment.

Here's the Grand Bruit outport. That's my husband, Dave, (right) standing with our guide, Claude, in the second picture.




























The outport below is called La Poile.