About Us
We Provide Integration Support for All Newcomers to Sault Ste. Marie
About Us
Sault Ste. Marie and Area ‘LIP’ was established in 2009, under the stewardship of the City of Sault Ste. Marie. Since then, LIP has engaged thousands of community members and is active partners with over 50 local and regional organizations including employers, service providers, cultural groups and key institutions in education, healthcare, housing, and economic and workforce development to attract, support and retain newcomers, immigrants and refugees within the community.
What is “LIP”?
A Local Immigration Partnership (or a “LIP”) brings together service providers, settlement agencies, community groups, employers and other key organizations across the municipality to create a welcoming and inclusive community for newcomers.
LIP conducts research to identify potential barriers for newcomers and then works through its partnership to remove them so newcomers can fully participate in the economic, social, cultural, and recreational life of the community. The goal is for newcomers to enjoy a smooth and worry-free transition throughout their settlement experience.
LIP develops relationships and innovative linkages between organizations to encourage intentional collaboration in an effort to share knowledge and build on each other’s strengths. This makes it easier for organizations to successfully serve, hire and interact with newcomers, while feeling more connected to the overall community vision.
Funded by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Local Immigration Partnerships are part of a Canada-wide project to increase the engagement of newcomers at the local level.
LIPs across Canada are helping municipalities take a greater role in planning for and guiding immigration and settlement in support of a two-way process of integration.
Our Services
The Local Immigration Partnership supports its members by:
- Establishing and maintaining an inclusive Immigration Partnership Council
- Coordinating community resources and services for newcomers
- Developing and establishing a strategic plan to identify community priorities
- Establishing action plans and supporting members in implementing action items
- Conducting research, knowledge- sharing, and professional training sessions
- Developing relationships and building strategic linkages in order to guide and direct intentional collaboration
- Delivering local public campaigns and community dialogues to promote awareness.
- Identifying funding opportunities, creating tools and resources, and locating information
Partnerships
Our robust partnership network is our greatest strength. We recognize the tremendous work done by our partners in helping create a welcoming and inclusive community.
Support
LIP supports, engages and collaborates with local organizations, stakeholders, volunteer groups and partners to meet our shared objectives.
If you have a community project, event or idea that we could support, visit our Funding Support page to review our criteria, or connect with us via discoverthesault@cityssm.on.ca.
Meet Our Team!
Syed Islam
Local Immigration Partnership Coordinator
I’m Syed, delighted to be part of the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP). With a background in Management and Economics, I’ve worked as a Counselor at a service provider in settlement. Joining LIP allows me to continue my passion for helping others integrate and thrive in our community. I’m eager to contribute to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all newcomers. Here’s to making a positive impact together!
Nara Dapilos
Administrative Research Assistant
Nara Dapilos is the Administrative Research Assistant for the Sault Ste. Marie and Area Local Immigration Partnership. In her role, Nara provides support to the LIP coordinator across projects and activities throughout the year. She is equipped with previous work experience in the economic immigration sector as well as an educational background in family, child, and youth studies.
