Four hundred people celebrated Christmas and the kick-off to the CACI 15th anniversary celebrations on Dec. 15. (Photo: Martin Alarie)
CACI has a lot to celebrate
It wasn’t just the approaching holidays clients, volunteers, employees and partners at the Centre d’Appui aux Communautés immigrantes (CACI) were celebrating last Saturday. The party was also held to mark the organization’s 15th year of responding to the needs of an ever-growing clientele.
The celebration featured its fare share of Christmas traditions, including music, dancing, a banquet and the triumphant arrival of Santa Claus. The 170 children who attended received toys while the adults participated in a raffle. It took no less than 25 turkeys to feed the 400 people who attended the event at Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne.
There were also many traditions from around the world at the event: Rwandan and Lebanese groups added their musical touches, Armenian dancers performed, and many diverse meals could be found on the table. According to CACI director Anait Alexanian, the organization’s clientele always shows plenty of interest in the Christmas party. “The majority who came were celebrating Christmas for the first time,” she said.
A growing family
The Christmas party was not the only event in the CACI’s 15th anniversary celebrations. A conference on new arrivals and the job market will take place in April. Also in the works is a job fair, an exposition of artwork done by immigrants and a gala marking the end of the celebrations in May. There is also a film on the CACI’s work currently in production.
Fifteen years after it was created, the CACI is still following its original mission: to help new arrivals throughout the integration process in Quebec society. According to Alexanian, integration is not any easier today than it was during the CACI’s first days. “The unemployment rate for immigrants is still higher than the average, racial profiling is ongoing, as is intolerance…” she said.
The CACI is continuously looking for ways to fill the needs of its clientele. On top of courses in French and other languages, the organization provides a welcoming service, daycare, partnering between Quebecers and new Quebecers, translation, reference, and job placement. The CACI also promotes cultural diversity through many different social activities.
The services are very popular (the CACI has over 3,000 clients) and the organization has made its home bigger. It now occupies the entire building at 4770 de Salaberry. “We now want to develop our research and prevention sector,” said Alexanian.
The housing issue is also something the organization pays attention to. It is currently a partner in the construction of 28 social housing buildings on de Salaberry: the Maison du CACI. “Fourteen immigrant families and 14 families from the welcoming society will live there, and the basement will have rooms for classes,” Alexanian said. The Maison du CACI inauguration is an event to look for in the New Year.
(Translated by Elyse Amend)
Météo: Montréal, 25 juillet 2008 / 26°C
/ Quelques nuages
/ Vents: 24 Km/h / Humidité relative: 54 % 
Steven Guilbeault - Chronique environnement
Richard Cléroux - Le fouineur politique
