Immigrant and Refugee Settlement Agency Granted Charitable Status
Guelph, ON, December 1, 2009 – Immigrant Services Guelph-Wellington is pleased to announce it has recently received Charitable Status, representing a milestone in the agency’s 31 year history, and a significant improvement in its potential to fundraise in support of its programs.

The agency provides a host of programs aimed at immigrants and refugees to Guelph and Wellington County. The Centre funded by the federal government through Citizenship and Immigration Canada, which supports the Immigrant Settlement and Adaption Program as well as our LINC English language
assessment centre. The Centre is also funded by the Province of Ontario through its Newcomer Settlement Program. It recently received funding from the City of Guelph and United Way of Guelph-Wellington.

“Receiving Charitable Status represents a major step towards Immigrant Services becoming a financially secure organization, with incalculable benefits to the community. Without having charitable status, the agency's ability to generate fundraising dollars was seriously handicapped. We owe a debt of gratitude to
staff for their support in this effort – we are again reminded that our staff are our best asset,” said Roger Manning, Board President.

Roya Rabbani, Executive Director for Immigrant Services, added, “We are proud of this achievement, because it represents a coming of age for Immigrant Services, and because of the concerted effort of staff and the Board. Teamwork made the difference and it was another example of how we support each
other at Immigrant Services.

Lloyd Longfield, President of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce and Board member, also offered, “We know first-hand how our new space, our new strategic plan and our innovative programs have improved our service delivery and how it has in turn positively impacted other service-providers in the community.

Achieving Charitable Status was the missing piece in the push by the Board and staff to put Immigrant Services on a secure footing – which is key to the city’s future as a destination of choice for the world’s best and brightest. It is essential to the city’s economic development going forward”.

For more information about the services provided by Immigrant Services Guelph-Wellington, please visit the Centre’s website at www.is-gw.ca, or contact the Centre at 519-836-2222.

Contact:
Roya Rabbani, Executive Director
519-836-2222
Fax: 519-837-2884
rrabbani@is-gw.ca
www.is-gw.ca