(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

a canadian tradition

Newcomers learn to skate at annual Red Deer event

Jan 5, 2023 | 4:57 PM

Learn to Skate once again brought newcomers together with volunteers from a local agency to teach new residents one of Canada’s oldest pastimes on Thursday.

Care for Newcomers (formerly CARE) hosted the event on the frozen water at Bower Ponds, welcoming newcomers from around the globe to lace up a pair of skates and try their best.

Ola Zeinalabdin, who runs a program with the organization called Settlement for Newcomers Through Activities and Programs (SNAP) was once an attendee of Learn to Skate, then a volunteer, and now, as mentioned, facilitates it.

“It’s the most exciting event of the year (for us). It gives opportunity to newcomer youth to learn stuff that is really very Canadian,” says Zeinalabdin, who arrived in Canada from Syria in 2015.

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“It means a lot to me because it got me engaged with my community, outside to experience the cold, and I’d never done this in my whole life; so to come here, do this and make new friends, it gave me so much confidence.”

Care for Newcomers is hosting a youth skate night where all are welcome, every Friday through March 17 at the Bower rink (85 Boyce street) in south Red Deer from 5-8 p.m. Skates and hot chocolate are provided, and participation is free.

To learn more about the SNAP youth program, visit carefornewcomers.ca/snap-youth-program.

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