Windsor program helps newcomer youth learn to cook, make new friends

They're learning to cook — and making new friends along the way.

The Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor is offering a six-week course for newcomer youth inside its community kitchen.

The program, called Connecting Newcomer Youth, is open to permanent residents aged 15 to 24 to help develop their food literacy skills.

"We teach them how to read nutrition facts on food labels, teach them health facts and bring them together," says Rafe Hanna, the chef who runs the program. "We try to build a Canadian community with them." 

Hanna's family immigrated to Canada from Iraq in 1997. He says a program like this would have fast-tracked his integration.

"I would have loved to be a part of something like this. For me, it's a pleasure and honour to be a part of this community and give back what I wasn't given."

The program kicked off in September with mainly Syrian refugees, but subsequent sessions have expanded to participants from countries such as Iraq, Ivory Coast, Somalia and Nepal. 

"Canadian and Nepali food is different," said 18-year-old Dhana Dhitl, a graduate of the program who came back as a volunteer. "We cooked spaghetti and pizza [in previous weeks], rice and chicken today."

"I think this [program] is great. I learned how to cook. Before I did not cook anything, now I cook a little bit," said Ganga Maya Dhatal, Dhitl's older cousin. "I make more friends and I speak more English now."

The Unemployed Help Centre says eliminating social isolation is an important part of the program.

"It's pretty special," says Mike Turnbull, UHC's food rescue program manager.

"When they first walked in, you could see they were kind of separated into their own different groups. Now you see them and they're coming together and enjoying each other — and enjoying the food here."