Skip to Main Content Scroll to the top Icon

County of Simcoe recognizes community leaders at 10th Annual Newcomer Recognition Awards


Midhurst/October 28, 2022 – On October 27, 2022, the County of Simcoe hosted the 10th annual Newcomer Recognition Awards at Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club in Thornton.

Recipients were selected through an open nomination process by a committee of community stakeholders. After two-years of virtual celebrations, award winners were joined by local immigration partners and elected officials to celebrate diversity and its positive impacts on our communities. The event featured a performance by the Raha Dancers.

“It was wonderful to celebrate the achievements of tonight’s honourees in person,” said Warden George Cornell. “The diverse talents, dedication, and creativity of the more than 82,000 immigrants who call Simcoe County home is truly inspiring. Special thank you to our Gold Sponsor Honda of Canada Manufacturing for their tremendous support and to CTV News Barrie’s Sarah Freemark for acting as our master of ceremonies.”

This year’s Newcomer Recognition Award Winners are:

  • Community Champion – Alasoba (Lala) Kelsy Braide
  • Immigrant Artist – Neda Mazhab Jafari
  • Immigrant Entrepreneur – Dr. Rebeca Riojas-Ozturk
  • Immigrant Mentor – Kenta Shirakura
  • Immigrant Youth – Pania Ghaneian
  • Multiculturalism through Education – Educator – Roxann Whittingham
  • Service Excellence – Holly Hie
  • Welcoming Work Environment – BMO Bank of Montreal – Georgian Mall Branch
  • Youth Community Champion – Inform Islam
  • Ethno-Cultural Group – Ethnic Mosaic Alliance

The Simcoe County Local Immigration Partnership hosts this event to recognize outstanding individuals, businesses and organizations who are champions within their local communities. For more information on the annual Newcomer Recognition Awards, visit https://www.simcoe.ca/dpt/ccs/lip/newcomer-recognition-awards <<< Add Link to {Page Name}>>>

County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.­­­­­­

– 30 –

CONTACTS:

Jen Straw
Public Relations Consultant
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Department
705-790-5979 (mobile)
Jennifer.Straw@simcoe.ca

Collin Matanowitsch
Manager, Public Relations
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Department
705-734-8386 (mobile)
Collin.Matanowitsch@simcoe.ca

Raha Dancers