St. Thomas-Elgin Local Immigration Partnership

09/04/2026

Join us in celebrating Welcoming Week 2026 as the Jumbo Monument is illuminated in blue and gold. This special lighting recognizes the people, cultures, and stories that help make St. Thomas-Elgin a welcoming community for all.
This year's Welcoming Week theme, “Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect,” encourages us to build understanding and belonging through meaningful connections.
📅 Date: September 6-13, 2026
📍 Location: Jumbo Monument, 65 Talbot Street, St. Thomas City of St. Thomas
Learn more about Welcoming Week events happening throughout September: https://ywcaste.ca/stelip-events-welcoming-week/

09/04/2026

📻 Exciting news from Mennonite Community Services (MCS)!
🎙️The new MCS De Brigj mobile app launches on Wednesday, September 9 at 10 am, making it easier than ever to listen to De Brigj 105.9 FM and access programming anytime, anywhere.
📱 Beginning September 9, the app will be available for Apple and Android devices through the App Store and Play Store.
🗓️ Mark your calendar and keep an eye out for the launch!
🔗 Learn more: https://www.mcson.org/programs/de-brigj/

09/03/2026

St Thomas Police Service is excited to welcome the community to its 2026 Community Open House!
📅 Saturday, September 12, from 10 am to 1 pm
📍 45 Caso Crossing, St. Thomas
Join them for a behind-the-scenes look at policing in our community:
✅ Tour police headquarters
✅ Meet members of the St. Thomas Police Service
✅ Live training, drone, and canine unit demonstrations
✅ Family-friendly activities, popcorn, balloons, and giveaways
✅ STPS Pipes & Drums Band
🎟️ Free admission. No registration required.
Please consider bringing a donation for the St. Thomas-Elgin Food Bank.
Learn more: https://stps.on.ca/st-thomas-police-service-open-house-2026/

09/02/2026

Eyes on the Skies, a free interactive aviation exhibit exploring the history of air traffic management in Canada, is on display until October 3, 2026 at Elgin County Heritage Centre (460 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas).
🔗 Learn more: https://www.elgincounty.ca/museum/exhibits/

Open Today - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
𝗘𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗲𝘀 is a travelling interactive exhibit on loan from 𝗜𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘂𝗺. 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮’𝘀 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, developed in cooperation with 𝗡𝗔𝗩 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗗𝗔, bringing the world of Canadian air traffic control down to ground level.
📡 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 how planes are guided across the country
🛫 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 in interactive activities designed for all ages
🍁 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 the science and stories behind Canadian aviation
📍 Elgin County Heritage Centre (460 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas, ON)
📅 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬 𝘁𝗼 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟯, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

09/02/2026

📢 Registration Now Open: Walk With Me 2026 Service Provider Networking Event
Join us for the 15th annual Walk With Me event, bringing together front-line service providers from across St. Thomas-Elgin to exchange ideas, strengthen referral networks, and collaborate on solutions that address barriers in our communities.
The event includes a PD session, “Walking Alongside: Culturally Grounded Practice with Immigrant Clients”, presented by Dr. Samoon Tasmim, and a service provider showcase.
📅 Wednesday, October 28, 2026
🕘 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
📍 St. Thomas Seniors Centre, 225 Chestnut St., St. Thomas
🔗 Register here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/walk-with-me-stelip
📧 Questions? Email: [email protected]

08/31/2026

📚 Check out two new drop-in programs at St. Thomas Public Library: Read It, Make It! (ages 4-10) and French Conversation Circle (ages 18+).
✨Also happening in September: Bilingual Punjabi Storytime on September 12 (ages 1+) and Rocks for Reconciliation on September 19 (ages 4+).
🔗 Explore the newsletter in the post below for details and other upcoming programs and events.

What's Happening in September

08/27/2026

Welcoming Week 2026 takes place September 10-19!
🎉This is a global celebration and a meaningful opportunity for newcomers, immigrants, and long-time residents across St. Thomas-Elgin to connect, learn, and celebrate together.

This year's theme, "Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect," reminds us that when we are curious and open to one another, we discover shared experiences that strengthen our sense of belonging and community.

📅 STELIP invites you to join us and our community partners throughout September:
• Sept. 6-13: Lighting of the Jumbo Monument
• Sept. 10: City of St. Thomas Flag Raising & Proclamation
• Sept. 11: Employment Services Elgin Job Search Workshop
• Sept. 12: St. Thomas Public Library Bilingual Storytime in Punjabi
• Sept. 22: Elgin County Flag Raising, Proclamation & Tour
• Sept. 22: Ignite Youth Centre Tasty Tuesday (International Street Food)
📍 See the event schedule in the poster for details.
Stay tuned for additional information and spotlights in the coming weeks!

🤝 Let's celebrate the people, places, and stories that help create welcoming communities for everyone.

08/26/2026

Planet Youth Elgin-St. Thomas is recruiting youth volunteers (ages 13-22) to join its Youth Advisory Board (YAB).
📧 Apply: [email protected]
🔗 Learn more: https://planetyouthest.ca/
🎥 Hear from local YAB members featured by Rogers TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cuzgn3jxga8

🌟 We’re Recruiting Youth Advisory Board Members! 🌟
Are you a young person or do you know of a young person in Oxford County, Elgin County, or St. Thomas looking to make a difference in your community?
Planet Youth is actively recruiting volunteers to join our Youth Advisory Board (YAB)! This is a great opportunity to: ✅ Share your voice and lived experiences
✅ Help shape programs, events, and resources for youth
✅ Build leadership skills
✅ Earn community service hours
✅ Connect with other youth and make a positive impact
Open to youth ages 13-22 and requiring just 1-2 hours per month.
Ready to get involved? Check out the poster for more details and apply today! DM US for a link to apply :)
ElginCounty StThomas YouthVoice CommunityImpact

08/26/2026

New to St. Thomas-Elgin? Looking to meet people, build connections, and contribute to the community?
Explore the Service Club Directory hosted by Volunteer Elgin and learn how you can get involved.
🔗 https://volunteerelgin.org/service-club-directory/