Communi-T nights kick off with a successful evening in Howick

Emily Southwood Last Tuesday October 17 a crowd gathered in the gymnasium of École Primaire Saint Jean in Howick to enjoy the first of four Communi-T evenings to take place this fall and winter. The aim of the 5pm to 7pm meet and greet/ spaghetti suppers is for community members to come out and discover the many resources that are available to them throughout the Haut Saint Laurent area. The evenings also provide an opportunity for members of the Corporation de development communautaire du Haut Saint Laurent (CDCHSL) to liaison with each other. All to often, newcomers and longtime community members alike are unaware of the many opportunities available to them, such as free transportation for medical services and complimentary career development for our area’s youth. With that in mind, these informative evenings were formed to encourage awareness of services. Billed as a ‘Collaborative Grouping of the Community Organizations of the Haut Saint Laurent’, they also intend to link and promote our region’s grass roots and community organizations. There are 36 member organizations in total with interests in health and social services, social economy, training and employability, family and early childhood, leisure and culture and environment. Last week Valley residents had the opportunity to connect with many enthusiastic community organizers at Howick’s well-attended evening. Event goers also enjoyed a delicious by-donation meal made by Maison des jeunes Huntingdon and complimentary daycare services. Volunteers were very happy with the turn out expressing, “We couldn’t have asked for a better start!” The next three events will take place in three other locations throughout the valley, on December 5 in Huntingdon, February 13th in Ormstown, and April 24th in Sainte-Barbe. Follow @Soirées CommunauT Haut Saint Laurent CommuniT Nights on Facebook for reminders on the upcoming fun, family-friendly community nights.