[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=”” transparent_background=”off” padding_mobile=”off”][et_pb_row padding_mobile=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.2.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off”]<\/p>\n
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Windsor, Ontario, Canada\u2019s southernmost city has a rich ethnic and cultural identity.\u00a0 From its beginnings as First Nations, and later French agricultural settlements, Windsor has been an inviting and attractive destination – welcoming all those who arrive.<\/p>\n
<\/u>Following the War of 1812 and throughout the 19th<\/sup> century, many ethnic communities settled in Windsor.\u00a0\u00a0 Immigrant groups built their own churches and organized ethno-cultural clubs in order to meet their religious, social and cultural needs.<\/p>\n As immigration increased, so did the needs of newcomers, particularly in the areas of reception, integration, and adult education. Organizations were established in order to provide welcoming services and settlement assistance.<\/p>\n Also identified as vitally important, was the need to preserve and celebrate the heritage and practices of the many cultures now established in the city.\u00a0 A number of groups were formed to ensure that traditions and customs were not only shared, but also celebrated.<\/p>\n In October of 1971, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau adopted Multiculturalism as the official policy of the government of Canada. \u00a0With an initial grant from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, a meeting of over 100 ethno-cultural clubs and service agencies in Windsor and Essex County was held.\u00a0 At the meeting it was decided to establish a formal organization.<\/p>\n On April 8, 1973, the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County was officially established<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Multicultural Council hosted regular meetings to address the concerns of ethno-cultural communities, provided guidance and counseling during settlement to Canada, and volunteers to assist with translation and interpretation.<\/p>\n In June 1974 a $3,500 grant from the Ministry of Culture and Recreation supported the Multicultural Council\u2019s inaugural Multicultural Festival at the riverfront.\u00a0 The following year, with co-operation from the Freedom Festival, a bazaar was held at the Cleary Auditorium featuring fourteen ethnic food booths together with a large exhibit of cultural artefacts.<\/p>\n In 1976, the Ontario Government announced a new cultural grants program. Formal planning expanded the annual festival to include multiple ethno-cultural villages. Two weekends in June were designated to celebrate Windsor\u2019s diversity. \u00a0On June 18, 1976 began a long-standing and popular tradition known as the Carrousel of Nations festival.<\/p>\n Over time, the Multicultural Council modified its services enhancing core programs such as cultural perseveration.\u00a0 Current programs, such as Settlement and Integration, Language and Skills, Translation and Interpretation, Health and Wellness, Education, Diversity, and Special Events, offers services to Windsor\u2019s newcomers and the community at large. The goal remains to embrace our mission to create a welcoming community for all through education, community engagement, and the promotion of diversity and equality for all residents of Windsor and Essex County.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Our Achievements<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Our\u00a0Awards<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=”” transparent_background=”off” padding_mobile=”off”][et_pb_row padding_mobile=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.2.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off”] Our History Windsor, Ontario, Canada\u2019s southernmost city has a rich ethnic and cultural identity.\u00a0 From its beginnings as First Nations, and later French agricultural settlements, Windsor has been […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" \u00a0<\/p> Our History<\/strong><\/span><\/p> Prior to Second World War, Windsor\u2019s early mosaic was rich with ethnicity. The various ethnic communities had built their own churches and organized ethno-cultural clubs in other to meet their religious, social and cultural needs. As immigration increased, so did their needs, particularly in the areas of reception, integration, and adult education. The following organizations were formed to assist newcomers in these early times:<\/span><\/p> - Catholic Immigration Centre, Lutheran Immigration Centre,<\/strong><\/span><\/p> - The Inter Church Council <\/strong><\/span><\/p> - Citizenship Council of Greater Windsor<\/strong><\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/p> While areas of reception, integration, and adult education needs were being met, a new need became more evident; the need to preserve and celebrate folkloric activities. The following organizations were established from the Windsor Ethnic Council:<\/span><\/p> - Essex County New Citizens Association (1949)<\/strong><\/span><\/p> - Windsor Ethnic Council (1954)<\/strong><\/span><\/p> - Canadian All Nations Cultural Association; CANCA (late 1960s)<\/strong><\/span><\/p> - Essex County All Nations Association<\/strong><\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/p> Unbeknown at that time, these organizations lay the roots to our present day organization, The Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County (MCC).<\/span><\/p> October 1971, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau adopted Multiculturalism into the official policy of the government of Canada. Immediately, members from over 30 local ethno- cultural groups began meeting weekly to discuss and exchange ideas on forming a local multicultural council. With an initial grant from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, Citizenship branch, a workshop, sponsored at St. Clair College, was held. Approximately 100 ethno-cultural clubs and service agencies in Windsor were in attendance, including the YMCA, St. Clair College, University of Windsor, Metropolitan Hospital and CANCA. It was at this workshop they agreed to form a multicultural council and a steering committee to guide it. On April 8, 1973, the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County was formally established. The steering committee with newly elected directors formed its first Board.<\/span><\/p> The Board held regular meeting to address the concerns of ethno-cultural communities, providing guidance and counseling through their adjustment to Canada and volunteers provided translation and interpretation services.\u00a0 As the demand grew, there was a need for more space. The MCC opened its doors in 1975 at 737 Ouellette Avenue.\u00a0 Other locations included:<\/span><\/p> - 1100 University Avenue (1978)<\/strong><\/span><\/p> - 127 Tecumseh Road W (1983)<\/strong><\/span><\/p> - 370 Victoria Avenue (1992)<\/strong><\/span><\/p> - 7610 Tecumseh Road East (1995) <\/strong><\/span><\/p> - 245 Janette Avenue (2000) <\/strong><\/span><\/p> - 7651 Tecumseh Road East \u2013 expansion (2003) (2005) (2008) (2009) <\/strong><\/span><\/p> - 300 Giles East (2009) \u2013 closed -2011<\/strong><\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p> In June 1974, we received a $3500 grant from the Ministry of Culture and Recreation, and presented Windsor\u2019s first multicultural Festival down on the riverfront. In 1975, with the assistance of the International Freedom Festival, we included the bazaar, ethnic food booths, and displays of cultural artifacts. In 1976, the MCC submitted a proposal for a cultural grant and Carrousel began to take shape. In February 1976, the June 18th weekend was set and the concept of Carrousel Villages was confirmed.<\/span><\/p> For many years, one of our main focus remained on preserving cultural and heritage through folk arts. The Ontario Folk Arts Council was our major source of funding, matching contributions dollar to dollar, to The MCC, making participation at the events like the Expo Cultural exchange, Canada Day Celebrations, Freedom Festival concerts, displays, performances, food booths, participation in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, and performances in Nova Scotia, Kingston and Toronto possible. The 1970s were rich with folkloric activity.<\/span><\/p> In the 1990s, after 20 years of financial security, the MCC was hit with the loss of core funding from the government. For the first time, program funding and fundraising were heavily relied upon to continue serving our clients. It was at this time, the MCC considered closing its doors. In order to survive the government restraints and cutbacks, we diversified, shifting our focus from cultural perseveration, to offering more services to our ethnic community.<\/span><\/p> Over the years, we have broadened our horizons without losing sight of our original mission; to promote and encourage a harmonious multicultural society in Windsor and Essex County that is multi-racial, multi-ethnic and multi faith, and to work towards the social equality of all cultures.\u00a0 We currently have 2 locations to serve Windsor-Essex (245 Janette Avenue and 7651 Tecumseh Road E), over 50 employees, and a variety of programs and services; Settlement and Integration, Language and Skills, Welcoming Community, Translation and Interpretation, Youth Programs, Diversity training, Special Events and many Volunteer Opportunities.<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p> Our Awards<\/strong><\/span><\/p> Our Achievements\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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