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Seven individuals, two organizations honoured during Newcomer Recognition Awards

'These award recipients are great examples of community champions,' says warden
2021-11-23 Ceclia Doucette
Barrie resident Cecilia Doucette was among those honoured during the ninth annual Simcoe County ninth annual Newcomer Recognition Awards. Doucette won the immigrant entrepreneur award.

NEWS RELEASE
COUNTY OF SIMCOE
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On Nov. 22, 2021, the County of Simcoe virtually launched the ninth annual Newcomer Recognition Awards. Seven individuals and two organizations were recognized for their contributions to developing welcoming communities across Simcoe County.

The award winners were joined by local immigration partners, elected officials and guest speaker Dr. Krishana Sankar, an award-winning science communicator and medical researcher.

“Over the past 10 years, our Local Immigration Partnership has continued to collaborate with regional partners to support and celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our newcomers”, said Warden George Cornell.

“The wealth of experience, ideas and diversity that newcomers bring to our communities helps to broaden our perspectives and strengthen our economies. These award recipients are great examples of community champions and it’s my honour to thank them for the roles they play in helping Simcoe County thrive. I am also grateful to our staff, partners and residents who continue to support newcomer residents.”

This year’s Newcomer Recognition Award Winners are:

  • Community Champion – Wazeer Rahman
  • Youth Community Champion – Ishaan Sachdeva
  • Ethno Cultural Group – Barrie Persian Association
  • Immigrant Entrepreneur – Cecilia Doucette
  • Multiculturalism in Education – Educator – Amy Hsaio
  • Service Excellence – Isabel Oliveira
  • Immigrant Youth - Ishaan Sachdeva
  • Immigrant Mentor – Gretel Montenegro
  • Immigrant Artist - Gurpartap Singh, Bhangra Crew Ontario 
  • Marketing & Outreach – Barrie Indian Association

Submissions were received from across Simcoe County and reviewed in an open nomination process. Recipients were chosen by the Newcomer Recognition Selection Committee.

The virtual ceremony remains available for viewing on YouTube.

The Simcoe County Local Immigration Partnership hosts this event to recognize outstanding individuals, businesses and organizations who are champions within their local communities.

Thank you to our sponsors, including Georgian College, Innovative Automation, and the Barrie Public Library, for their support of this initiative. Visit our website for details on the Newcomer Recognition Awards.

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