Award Criteria
The Newcomer Recognition Awards celebrates the contribution of immigrants living in Simcoe County and the businesses, organizations and groups supporting enhanced opportunities for a growing and changing demography.

Immigrant Youth - Individual Application Form
An immigrant 25 years of age or younger who is dedicated to supporting immigrant integration and cultural awareness in Simcoe County. Examples: actively welcoming other newcomers, post-secondary international student advocating/supporting cultural awareness initiatives, volunteering with an ethno-cultural group.

Immigrant Mentor - Individual Application Form
An immigrant who has invested time and energy to support positive experiences for others immigrants in Simcoe County. Examples: leadership in an ethno-cultural group, using social media to connect local immigrants, organizing social activities.

Ethno-cultural Group - Business/Organization/Group Application Form
An ethno-cultural and faith-based group who has invested time and energy to support positive experiences for immigrants in Simcoe County. Examples: leadership by helping immigrants settle in the community, organizing social activities, hosting multicultural celebration, sharing resources.

Immigrant Artist - Individual or Group - Business/Org./Group Application Form
An immigrant artist or group whose art has been recognized with a degree of excellence or with outputs considered to be of high quality. An artist or group who has positively impacted or contributed to the art of others and has positively promoted the immigrant experience. Examples: raises the profile of multicultural artists, active contributions to the arts community including volunteer arts involvement.

Immigrant Entrepreneur - Individual Application Form
An immigrant who has achieved success in the development, or operation of a business or entreprenurial venture in Simcoe County. Examples: innovative business model or programming, transfer of global experience to a Canadian venture, contributes to the economic development of Simcoe County.

Culturally Diverse Workforce - Business/Org./Group Application Form
A business or organization that through strategic recruitment has developed a culturally diverse workforce. Examples: recognition of International credentials/work experience, job advertising/outreach to newcomer groups, connecting with bridging and mentoring programs, hiring practices based on competencies rather than credential origins.

Welcoming Work Environment - Business/Org./Group Application Form
A business or organization that has taken steps to provide a welcoming work environment for immigrants. Examples: celebrating multiculturalism, informal or formal mentoring programs, providing cultural competency training, including Immigrants in organizational decision-making processes.

Marketing and Outreach - Business/Org./Group Application Form
A business or organization demonstrating strategies and implementing initiatives that successfully market to immigrants. Examples: culturally diverse imagery, hiring employees reflective of diverse communities, hosting immigrant focus groups.

Multiculturalism through Education
School - School Application Form   Educator - Individual Application Form
A Simcoe County school or educator that consistently incorporates multiculturalism in one or more of the following:

• planning and/or policy development
• curriculum
• community relations
• school culture

Examples: providing a welcoming environment to all, incorporating celebrations from different cultures into the curriculum and/or school culture, connecting with newcomer families.

Service Excellence Award - Individual Application Form
An individual who fosters growth, innovation, and excellent customer service within their organization that provides services for Immigrants. Examples: developing a new innovative service delivery plan within their organization, an individual implementing a best practice strategy within their service delivery agency, responding to community crisis situations.

Youth Community Champion - Individual Application Form
A youth 25 years of age or younger who strengthens community awareness about, and advocates for, newcomer equity and the celebration of cultural diversity in Simcoe County. Examples: a youth who organizing a cultural event at school, volunteering within conversation circles by teaching English as a second language to newcomers, or participating in a local community committee to advocate for immigrant inclusion.

Community Champion - Individual Application Form
An individual who strengthens community awareness about, and advocates for, newcomer equity and the celebration of cultural diversity in Simcoe County. Examples: organizing cultural fair/festival, volunteering to teach English as a second language to newcomers, participating in local committees to advocate for immigrant inclusion.