ABBOTSFORD — Community groups in Abbotsford are preparing to welcome new residents to the city this September as Archway Community Services and the City of Abbotsford stage the fourth annual Welcome Day.
Connecting neighbours to services and civic life
The free event is designed to introduce newcomers to local supports and to build connections across Abbotsford’s diverse communities. Organizers say the day will begin with a service fair that gives attendees a chance to meet local groups and programs, followed by the official Welcome Day Ceremony and a panel discussion featuring civic leaders.
Panel participants announced for the ceremony include Mayor Ross Siemens, Abbotsford School District Superintendent Dr. Nathan Ngieng and AbbyPD Chief Constable Colin Watson. The presence of municipal, education and public-safety representatives underlines the event’s focus on integrating newcomers into both practical services and broader community life.
"Welcome Day is an opportunity for individuals to get together and strengthen community connections,"
The quotation comes from Abhinoor Sidhu, an event organiser with Archway Community Services. Sidhu said the objective is to ensure that people who are new to Abbotsford feel "valued and supported," and to create space for neighbours to celebrate and make new friendships.
What attendees can expect
- Service fair connecting residents with local organisations and programs
- Welcome Day Ceremony with civic and community leaders
- Panel discussion addressing settlement, education and public safety
Archway Community Services has run the event in partnership with the City of Abbotsford for four years. The initiative comes as the city continues to grow — Abbotsford is home to more than 150,000 people — and as local agencies work to coordinate supports for newcomers arriving for work, family reunification and refuge.
| Host | Partner | Features | Panelists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archway Community Services | City of Abbotsford | Service fair; Welcome Day Ceremony; panel discussion | Mayor Ross Siemens; Dr. Nathan Ngieng; Chief Constable Colin Watson |
Local context and what it means for Abbotsford
For residents, especially those who have recently arrived, Welcome Day is more than an information session: it is a concentrated opportunity to find supports, connect with neighbourhood organisations and meet decision-makers who shape local services. As municipal services, school districts and police forces navigate the needs of a growing and diverse population, events like this also serve as a forum for listening and relationship-building.
Organisers emphasise that the event is free and intended to be accessible. By bringing agencies and civic leaders together in one place, Archway and the city aim to reduce barriers newcomers often face when trying to find reliable information about housing, schooling, language classes, employment supports and community programs.
Archway Community Services has a long record of settlement and community supports in the Fraser Valley. Its coordination with the City of Abbotsford on Welcome Day highlights a collaborative approach favoured by local service providers: one that centres personal connection alongside practical resources.
As Abbotsford continues to expand, city leaders and non-profit organisations say proactive outreach is a critical piece of building inclusive communities. Welcome Day offers a concentrated moment for that work — a way to make civic life and everyday services more visible and navigable for those starting new chapters in the city.
Details about exact date, time and location for this year’s Welcome Day were provided by Archway Community Services and the City of Abbotsford; attendees are advised to consult organisers for final logistics.
