HELPING IMMIGRANTS MAKE REGINA THEIR HOME

Refugees and immigrants living in Regina and getting help from the Regina Open Door Society to establish homes, educate their children and find jobs will benefit from a provincial government grant.

Today, the Regina Open Door Society received $35,000 from the Saskatchewan Immigrant Settlement Assistance Program.

"I am pleased that the provincial government is supporting community organizations that welcome new families into our communities and help them in their immediate transition," Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Eldon Lautermilch said.

"The Regina Open Door Society's primary purpose is to assist newcomers by promoting their adjustment to and participation in the Regina community," Executive Director Darcy Dietrich said. "We appreciate the continued support from the provincial government to help us continue our work."

The Immigrant Settlement Assistance Program provides financial assistance to recognized community agencies that help immigrants and refugees settle into their new surroundings by providing services such as arranging accommodation and providing English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.

The program allows newcomers to fully participate in the benefits of being a resident of Saskatchewan. It also helps build independent families as they become integrated into the workforce and contributing members of the province's economy and society.

"Saskatchewan is a great place to live, work and do business and we want immigrants to be able to experience this first hand," Lautermilch said.

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For More Information, Contact:

Anna Arneson Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs Regina Phone: (306)787-8008