Beyond Kindness: How Acts of Welcome Build a Stronger, More Inclusive London
Yesterday was Random Acts of Kindness Day. This is a day to show the people around you some kindness. It reminds us that it doesn't take much to make someone's day a little bit brighter. It doesn't have to be something elaborate or expensive - just something little to make someone smile.
One way you can show kindness is by contributing to creating a welcoming community where you live. You can do this through performing an act of welcome!
You may ask yourself - well, what is an act of welcome?
An act of welcome welcome is a respectful and mindful interaction with individuals from a variety of racial, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including immigrants and refugees. The goal is to ensure that individuals feel welcome, respected and included.
Some examples of acts of welcome include:
Learning something from an immigrant about their culture
Helping someone new with directions
Providing tips about how to cope with Canadian weather
Sharing information with new immigrants on the London Transit Commission such as where to buy passes and where to find schedules
Visiting cultural places and/or a store run by an immigrant to learn and interact
Volunteering with agencies that assist in the settlement process
Showing a newcomer the neighbourhood park and providing them with information
Leaning a newcomer's name
Introducing yourself to a newcomer
Playing with a newcomer in school
Becoming friends with someone of a different ethnic, religious or racial background, and learning about their background
Including someone from a different ethnic, religious or racial background in your class in an out-of-school plan
Exchanging cooking recipes with someone from a different background
Just like an act of kindness, an act of welcome doesn't have to take much. It is a simple act to show that you are engaged, interested and committed to contributing to a welcoming community. Together, we can make our community safer and more inclusive for every one.
Have you participated in an act of welcome? Have you been a recipient? Submit it to our website to help us showcase what a welcoming community London & Middlesex can be!