Canada/Centre francophone distributes school kits to 150 newly arrived families in Toronto

For the second year running, the Centre francophone du Grand Toronto (CFGT) has handed out school kits to 150 families newly settled in the city.

Just a few days before the start of the new school year, the operation was organized in partnership with the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens(AEFO).

Some thirty participants, including ten beneficiary families, took part in the first of three official deliveries of these kits, on August 19 at the CFGT's downtown head office. The Mississauga office will receive the kits on August 20, followed by the Scarborough office on August 22.

150 families

"Today we celebrate not only a gesture of solidarity, but also an affirmation of our core values at CFGT," says Anissa Bichara, Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development.

"Led by our Newcomer Services team, the aim of this initiative is to support 150 families by offering them these kits to help them prepare as well as possible for their children's return to school. We're not just meeting a material need, we're affirming our commitment to equal opportunity."

The distribution was balanced, with 50 families chosen for each of the three locations in downtown Mississauga and Scarborough, to avoid long journeys. The Centre operates eight other points of service in the greater metropolitan area, including North York and Pearson Airport.

Symbolic but useful gesture

No representative of the operation's main partner, AEFO, was present for the occasion.

Nevertheless, the Franco-Ontarian teachers' union insisted on having a message read out, an excerpt of which follows: "AEFO and its president Gabrielle Lemieux would like to convey their warmest greetings and their pride in supporting this initiative that makes a real difference for our students. The distribution of school kits is a simple gesture, but one that is concrete and meaningful."

Moral support

It's true that these gifts, each consisting of a backpack with school supplies, are more symbolic than financial aid for a new arrival.

However, their usefulness lies above all in providing moral support, which is so important when you're leaving everything you know to start a new life.

"When you arrive in Toronto from a French-speaking country, there's the language barrier right from the start. So when you find a center like the CFGT, you feel like family," Issiakhem Nacim, father of two, who arrived from Algeria just two months ago, tells l-express. ca.

"The fact that we find ourselves with people who speak French, who share the same ideas and values as us, is extraordinary. As a result, this help is not only financial, but above all it's a great moral support."

A welcoming French-speaking community

AEFO officials echoed this sentiment, stating in their message that "this gesture helps students get off to a good start to the new school year, and demonstrates to their families that our Francophone community welcomes and supports them with kindness".

Source: l-express.ca/