Portage la Prairie now has a new Local Immigration Partnership Program Coordinator. Michelle Cudmore-Armstrong is filling the new position with the Portage Community Revitalization Corporation (PCRC).

"This position is funded through the federal government by IRCC (Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada)," she explains. "Basically, what it's going to bring the community together to be more inclusive and welcoming of immigrants and newcomers."

Cudmore-Armstrong says she's experienced in immigration having worked for the city to get the Portage Learning and Literacy Centre's Settlement Coordinator position funded, and has now come full-circle. She adds she'll be working with a partnership council through the summer and meeting in September, comprised of local stakeholders in Portage and all three government levels. She notes this includes people involved with health, education, and city employers; basically anyone who can come to the table and help them find any gaps in the community that would affect immigration and newcomers.

Cudmore-Armstrong says, for example, there are always gaps around childcare. Transportation is something else that will likely present itself. She adds housing can be a factor that needs to be affected, noting newcomers often come with only one suitcase of clothes and have to find housing, a job, and so on.

She adds funding was made available a couple of years ago, and PCRC applied. That funding came through in April and Cudmore-Armstrong was hired.