Knowing how to welcome newcomers to your community can turn a lonely first year into the start of a new home. Moving to a new country, or even a new city, means learning everything again: the bus routes, the stores, the weather and the unwritten rules.
At Friendship House in Brantford, our table is open to everyone, and we have seen how much a warm welcome means. This guide shares simple ways any neighbour can help newcomers feel at home.
Quick answer
How can I welcome newcomers to my community?
Start with a friendly hello and learn their name. Share practical local tips, like where to shop, how the buses work and how to dress for winter. Invite them for coffee or a meal, include them in community events, and point them to local services and settlement help. Above all, be patient, curious and kind.
Why a welcome matters
Newcomers often arrive without family or friends nearby. Even when they have a job or a place to live, they may go weeks without a real conversation outside work or home.
A welcoming neighbour makes everything easier: finding a doctor, understanding a letter from school, or knowing which coat to buy before the first snow. Small acts of friendship help people feel they belong.
Start with hello
The first step is the simplest. Introduce yourself, learn their name and practise saying it correctly. Ask where they are from and what they enjoy, and share a little about yourself.
If you share no common language, a smile, a wave and a translation app on your phone go a long way.
Share practical local know-how
Many things that feel obvious to long-time residents are new to newcomers. Offer to share what you know, without assuming what they need.
| Topic | What you can share |
|---|---|
| Getting around | How the buses work, where to buy a pass, walking routes |
| Shopping | Affordable grocery stores, where to find familiar foods |
| Winter | Warm coats, boots, layering, and how to stay safe on ice |
| Services | Libraries, community centres, health clinics |
| Community life | Local events, faith communities, sports and clubs |
Winter can be a shock for people from warmer countries. Our guide on how to stay warm in winter on a budget (opens in a new tab) is a helpful one to share.
Invite them to share a meal
Food is one of the easiest ways to build friendship across cultures. Invite a newcomer family for coffee, tea or a simple meal, and ask about the dishes they love from home.
A potluck is a wonderful way to welcome several families at once. Our list of potluck ideas on a budget (opens in a new tab) can help you plan one.
Include them in community life
Invite newcomers along to things you already do: a walk in the park, a library program, a sports game, a faith service or a volunteer shift. Being included is often more meaningful than being helped.
- Bring them to a free community event or a neighbourhood skating rink.
- Introduce them to other neighbours.
- Invite children to play with yours.
- Ask for their help or advice too; friendship goes both ways.
Our guide to free things to do in Brantford in winter (opens in a new tab) has ideas you can enjoy together.
Help with language, gently
Learning English takes time and courage. Speak clearly and a little more slowly, without talking down, and use simple words.
Be patient if they need to repeat themselves or search for a word. If they want to practise, a regular coffee chat can be a great help.
Help children feel welcome too
Children who move to a new country often adjust quickly, but the first weeks at a new school can be lonely. Encourage your own children to invite a new classmate to play at recess or to sit with them at lunch.
A simple playdate, a walk to the park or an afternoon of sledding can help a newcomer child, and their parents, make a first friend. Our guide on how to teach kids about giving back (opens in a new tab) has more ways to raise kind, welcoming children.
Celebrate together
Holidays can be especially lonely far from home. Invite newcomer neighbours to share a seasonal meal or a local celebration, and ask about the festivals and traditions they celebrate too.
Learning about each other’s traditions builds respect on both sides. Many friendships begin with a simple question: “What is a favourite dish from home?”
Be curious, not assuming
Every newcomer’s story is different. Some arrive as skilled workers or students, others as refugees who have been through great loss.
Let people share their story in their own time, and avoid personal questions about money, immigration status or hard experiences. Listen more than you advise.
Connect them to local support
In Brantford, the Brantford Immigration Partnership (opens in a new tab) works with community partners to help the City stay welcoming and inclusive, so that newcomers feel a sense of belonging. Its pages link to newcomer connections and stories.
For help finding settlement services, English classes, employment support or other programs, newcomers can dial 2-1-1 for free, confidential information about community services across Ontario.
| Way to help | Time needed | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| A friendly hello | Minutes | Breaks the ice |
| Sharing local tips | An hour | Makes daily life easier |
| Sharing a meal | An evening | Builds real friendship |
| Regular coffee chats | Weekly | Helps with language and belonging |
| Donating winter clothing | Minutes | Keeps people warm |
Free help at Friendship House
Friendship House at 452 Grey Street is a welcoming place for newcomers and long-time neighbours alike. Coffee, tea and a light breakfast are served from 8 a.m., and a hot meal Monday to Thursday, 10 to 11 a.m., free for everyone.
Our Clothing Closet (opens in a new tab) offers free adult, children’s and baby clothing, Tuesday to Thursday, 10 to 11:30 a.m., which can help with a first Canadian winter. See all of our free services at Friendship House (opens in a new tab).
Small acts, big difference
You do not need special training to welcome someone. A neighbour who remembers your name, waves from the porch and offers help with the first snowfall can make a new city feel like home.
For more everyday ideas, see our list of random acts of kindness ideas (opens in a new tab).
Frequently asked questions
How can I welcome newcomers to my community?
Say hello and learn their name, share practical local tips, invite them for a meal or coffee, include them in community activities and connect them to local services.
What do newcomers to Canada need most?
Needs vary, but many people want friendship, help understanding local services, practical tips for winter and chances to practise English.
How can I help a newcomer who speaks little English?
Speak clearly and a little more slowly, use simple words, be patient, and use a translation app when needed.
Where can newcomers in Brantford find support?
The Brantford Immigration Partnership works to make the City welcoming, and newcomers can dial 2-1-1 for information about settlement and community services.
Can newcomers get free clothing in Brantford?
Yes. The Friendship House Clothing Closet at 452 Grey Street offers free adult, children’s and baby clothing, Tuesday to Thursday, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Every neighbour was new once. Say hello to someone new on your street this week; it might be the start of a lasting friendship.
