On June 26th, 2011, in Brewer Park, Ottawa Ontario, a tremendous event took place that brought smiles to a variety of faces. The Catholic Immigration Centre successfully connected and integrated newcomers through sport and hosted an official Citizenship Ceremony in the park.
Congratulations to the OKYC (Ottawa Karen Youth Club) for winning the Community Cup Championship, and Congratulations to the Ottawa Folkies (The Ottawa Folk Festival) for defending their title and winning the Spirit Award for a second year. Everyone worked so hard and played with heart. The photos speak for themselves - we can see a good time was has by all players. See the photo's in the photo gallery.
The Program guide (download) covered the basic details of what took place and who was involved, but there is alot more to be said and expressed by event organizers who just can't say enough to really show their gratitude and appreciation to the community - the volunteers, sponsors and partners. Thank you everyone!
Over 150 volunteers made the event possible. This includes about 30 Volunteers who took on some valuable roles in the planning of this dynamic event. Several special thanks yous go out to some outstanding volunteers such as Saree Ghosh (Volunteer Coordinator), Laurie Hinsperger (Site Manager), the entire Community Connections program other Settlement staff from the Catholic Immigration Centre, Alex Newman (Entertainment Coordinator), and Pamela Secci (Logistics). Thank you for the incredible amount of time and effort you gave this event. Every volunteer, partner, and sponsor can expect a full report on the event in the coming weeks.
Special thanks to the major sponsors and contributors, they included TD Canada Trust, the City of Ottawa (Civic Events), Heritage Canada (Celebrate Canada), Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and Majdoub Financial.
The community, especially the host Community of Capital Ward/old Ottawa South, should be proud. We have received tremendous compliments and reports of civic pride; together we created and environment where everyone felt welcomed and able to create new connections.
This was an inspiring and engaging one-day multicultural, intergenerational, and inclusive event where our community stakeholders, newcomers, and residents met each other and develop new friendships. Although it was based around a recreational co-ed soccer tournament focusing on newcomer integration and connections the event also boasted great food, music, demonstration sports, a citizenship ceremony, kids activities, a community tent, live entertainment and much more!
The Host Program at Ottawa’s Catholic Immigration Centre, an immigrant settlement organization, initiated the Community Cup in 2005. Over the past six years it has grown tremendously with over 2000 people attending last year’s event. The Community Cup is about celebrating diversity, making Ottawa a Welcoming Community, and “making the strange familiar” in order to build community connections.
This is a model “friend-raiser” event. No other major event in the city of Ottawa or Ontario has the same ability to contribute to the integration efforts of newcomers in a way that also promotes healthy living, cultural sharing, network building, civic engagement, and fun!
Next Community Cup: (always one week before Canada Day) Sunday June 24th, 2012
For more information about the event and to learn how to get involved, please see our contact information below:
- Telephone: 613-232-9634 ext 421
- Email: communitycup@cic.ca
- Website: www.communitycup.ca
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheCommunityCup
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/communitycup
