P.E.I. Community Navigators – Welcoming newcomers the ‘Island Way’

Whether it’s a doctor and his family from South Africa, a student from India, or an entrepreneur from the Philippines, newcomers moving to rural Prince Edward Island can all be sure of one thing – a warm welcome from their new communities.

“Everyone has different starting points, but they all need connections – and that’s where we come in,” says Scott Smith of the PEI Community Navigators Program.

Launched as a pilot in Western PEI in 2019 with joint support from ACOA and the provincial government, the program helps newcomers to rural PEI become better acquainted with their new communities and all that they have to offer – from resources, training and employment opportunities, social events, or shops and services. The program has since expanded to service rural regions across Western, Central and Eastern P.E.I.

Smith, a Community Navigator for western PEI, was born on the Island, hailing from Freeland, PE. but he understands what it is like to be a newcomer, having spent over four years living and working in the Dominican Republic.

“Knowing what it can be like on the other side of the coin, to have the language barriers, to not know the local culture and try to learn it and start from scratch, that experience was pretty overwhelming but very positive and wonderful,” he told CBC News in an interview.

Welcome support

“ACOA supported the idea from the very beginning,” Smith says, noting that the Agency supported the initial pilot project, as well as the program’s inaugural Neighbour-to-Neighbour event. Now funded through the IRCC and the province, the Community Navigators remains a program of the Western PEI CBDC (West Prince Ventures Limited). Smith puts it simply: “We wouldn’t exist without ACOA support.”

The Island way: neighbours helping neighbours

Prince Edward Island is known for its close-knit communities, where lending a helping hand to one’s neighbours is simply understood to be “the Island way.’ The Community Navigators Program is a natural extension of this, with Navigators creating opportunities for newcomers and residents to get to know each other– whether it’s making personal introductions or facilitating community events like BBQs and neighbourhood flea markets where people meet at the end of driveways to swap treasures and conversation.

“We lead different kinds of events to engage every newcomer and new resident – of every age, culture and abilities,” says Smith. He points to PEI Neighbour Week as an example of one such initiative that has gained Island-wide popularity since its launch in September of 2020.

Held every September, PEI Neighbour Week (#PEIGOODNEIGHBOURS) features a fun line-up of organized events and activities dedicated to recognizing the importance of being a good neighbour - from games and entertainment highlighting diversity to cultural workshops, food fairs and more.

“It sounds simple,” Smith says, “but really it gives people ideas for connections and the planned events help newcomers introduce themselves.” During the week, Islanders are also encouraged to share good neighbour stories and little acts of kindness with one another.  Laughing, he admits that events like this one have even generated a friendly rivalry between communities keen to get in on the fun and demonstrate their neighborliness.

 The Community Navigators are, of course, only too happy to help.

“There are lots of ways to be a good neighbour, to help others, and pay it forward in the community.”

These kinds of events have a ripple effect of positive impacts that ultimately strengthen the community - from cultivating connections and reducing feelings of isolation, to fostering a deeper understanding of different cultures, and growing business and professional networks.   

But the benefits of being a good neighbour run both ways.

Building community by helping each other

Prior to the launch of the program, rural communities across the Island had been struggling, Smith acknowledges. Population growth was stalled. Residents recognized the writing on the wall – grow their communities or risk disappearing altogether.  As fate would have it, it was another island that provided inspiration for a solution.

“The idea came from an initiative in New Zealand,” explains Smith. “Their challenges were the same as ours. They were leading a successful program in rural communities that focused on creating welcoming communities.  Their planning guide became a foundational part of our work.  We modified their approach to fit our community assets and made it our own.”

Since the launch of the Community Navigators program, rural communities in Prince Edward Island have experienced immense growth and increased retention rates.

And the secret to the program’s success?

“We personalize everything,” says Smith, explaining this is the vital piece of the puzzle when it comes to retention and encouraging newcomers to stay. “By paying attention, listening to what people need and acting on them – we can truly build welcoming communities.”

Meet PEI’s Community Navigators and learn more about the program.