Moncton Cares Hosts Multicultural Color Festival: A Day of Unity, Culture & Color
On Saturday, July 26, 2025, Moncton Cares, a leading multicultural community organization in New Brunswick, hosted one of the most inclusive and vibrant celebrations of the year â the Multicultural Color Festival at Riverfront Park, Moncton. From noon until 10 PM, the park was transformed into a dynamic space filled with color, culture, music, and connection. As a recognized multicultural center, Moncton Cares focuses on creating barrier-free spaces that promote integration, inclusion, and community building. The Color Festival was a true reflection of that mission â bringing together over 3,000 people from across the Greater Moncton Area to celebrate diversity in action. đ A Celebration of Over 20 Cultures The festival proudly represented the cultural richness of Moncton and surrounding areas, featuring communities from: India, China, Brazil, Haiti, Iran, Lebanon, Nigeria, Ukraine, Mexico, Philippines, Colombia, Egypt, Syria, Bangladesh, South Korea, Venezuela, France, Jamaica, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Vietnam. From traditional foods and crafts to music and dance, each cultural expression added to the beautiful mosaic of our shared community. đ€Â Opening Ceremony & Dignitary Support The day began with a welcoming Opening Ceremony including a Land Acknowledgement, the Canadian National Anthem, and enthusiastic hosting. The presence of local and provincial leaders highlighted the importance of community-led multicultural events. While they didnât deliver official speeches, several dignitaries joined in the festivities and participated in the iconic color throw, including: Hon. Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor MLA Claire Johnson MLA Rob McKee Moncton Councillors: Shawn Crossman, Monique LeBlanc, Paul Richard, Brian Butler Riverview Councillor: CĂ©cile Cassista Their participation underscored the growing recognition of multicultural events as key drivers of community integration and social harmony. đ Cultural Performances That Moved Us The stage was packed with performances that celebrated global traditions and local talent, including: Indian Classical and Bollywood Fusion by Samruddhi & Seema High-energy Punjabi Bhangra by Harminder & Group Haitian cultural dance by the Haitian Association Latin music by Manual Olvera A lively Zumba session led by Olivia and GoodLife Fitness Each performance showcased the cultural depth and artistic brilliance of the ethnic communities living in our region. đ§Â Six-Part Color Party & Glow Finale Our Color Party, led by top local DJs, was divided into six energy-packed segments, including: DJ Macky (Color Throw 1 & 2) DJ Andress (Color Throw 3 & 4) DJ Garçon (Color Throw 5, Harminderâs Segment & Glow Party Finale) Crowds danced together, threw colors joyfully into the air, and celebrated unity in diversity under the open Moncton sky. đïžÂ Multicultural Market: A Taste of the World Our bustling Multicultural Market was a key attraction, featuring food, crafts, art, and services from dozens of local immigrant entrepreneurs and cultural groups: Monsieur Chichero, Masala Bites, The Latin Corner, Bravo Pizza, 1302Atelier, Everlasting ReVibe, Chickenin Brazilian Snacks, LeVeg, L&S Flavors, Subus Kitchen, Vinaâs Kitchen, Sweet Treats and More, Marie Gold ToyLand, Rayas, Click and Chew, Badr Tabet, Lemonade Stand Omista Credit Union, LeafFilter, Moncton Rent, SERC, NeuriX AI, Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance, Persian Association, and GoodLife Fitness Vendors brought flavors and experiences from five continents, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit of newcomers and their contributions to our local economy. đ Volunteers, Sponsors & Community Partners Over 100 volunteers, many of them newcomers themselves, made this festival possible. With clear roles in setup, logistics, hosting, and coordination, they are the backbone of Moncton Cares as a community-driven multicultural organization. A heartfelt thank you to all our sponsors, partners, performers, and attendees. Your commitment to building an inclusive community continues to make Moncton a beacon of multicultural integration. đ More Than a Festival: A Movement This wasnât just a one-day celebration. It was a movement for equity, inclusion, and cultural pride â the kind of work Moncton Cares does every day as a multicultural center supporting newcomers, immigrants, and marginalized communities. Whether itâs through language programs, job support, cultural events, or wellness activities, weâre building a future where everyone belongs. âïžÂ Join the Movement đ Visit our multicultural center: 607 St. George Blvd, Moncton đ·Â Follow us on Facebook: Moncton Cares âïžÂ Contact us to get involved, volunteer, or sponsor Moncton Cares â Different backgrounds. Shared vision. One community.
Moncton Cares at Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club: A Morning of Conversations, Connections, and Community Spirit
Last week, we had the privilege of being invited as guest speakers at the Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club meeting. It was our second opportunity to connect with this wonderful group of community leaders, and we are truly grateful for the warm welcome and thoughtful conversations. We were proud to share the journey of Moncton Cares â a community-driven initiative that has grown to become a trusted support network for newcomers in Greater Moncton. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to make Moncton a place where every newcomer feels at home, has access to opportunities, and can build meaningful connections within the community. During the meeting, we spoke about the diverse programs Moncton Cares offers, including: Multicultural Settlement Services â assisting newcomers with their first steps in Canada. Multicultural Integration Services â fostering inclusion and building a sense of belonging. Employment Services â helping individuals find meaningful employment opportunities. Multicultural Business & Entrepreneur Services â supporting immigrant entrepreneurs and small business owners. Support for Vulnerable Populations â ensuring that those facing additional barriers receive the help they need. To date, we have supported thousands of individuals and families, helping them navigate the challenges of settling in a new country while celebrating and sharing the richness of their cultures with the wider community. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club for the invitation, and for your continued support in making our region a welcoming place for everyone. Special thanks to Michelle Tupy, a Sunrise Rotarian and valued member of the Moncton Cares Board of Directors, for bridging these community connections. At Moncton Cares, we believe that when community organizations collaborate, we can build stronger bridges of understanding, support, and friendship. Together, we are making Greater Moncton a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
Beyond the RĂ©sumĂ©: Lessons from Moncton Caresâ IT Networking Event with Industry Leaders
Moncton Cares continues to redefine what it means to support newcomersânot just with resources, but with access to real people, real stories, and real opportunity. The recent IT Networking Night was a shining example of that mission in action. Held in Moncton with a room full of tech-minded immigrants and jobseekers, the event featured two respected leaders: Thomas George, Vice President at Medavie Health Services NB Anita Ashrit, Director, Project Management at IGT (International Game Technology) It was an evening rich in insight, humility, and practical adviceâfocused not on theory, but on what actually works when trying to build a career in Canadaâs tech space. Thomas George: Adaptability Over Titles With years of experience hiring and managing diverse tech teams, Thomas George offered an honest look into what employers are really looking forâand itâs not just technical certifications. âWhen I review rĂ©sumĂ©s, I donât just look at what tools you know or what job titles youâve held,â he said. âI look at adaptability, and I look for signs of longevityâpeople who are committed, flexible, and willing to learn.â Thomas encouraged attendees to get involved in events, volunteer, take short-term roles, and look for unconventional ways to break in. âSometimes, itâs not the perfect rĂ©sumĂ© but the right attitude and exposure that opens doors,â he said. âBeing seen and showing up matters.â Anita Ashrit: Volunteering Her Way into Leadership Now the Director of Project Management at IGT, Anita Ashrit‘s professional journey began with humble steps. Before landing formal employment, she volunteered extensivelyâsomething she credits as a turning point. âVolunteering gave me confidence, references, and experience,â she shared. âIt helped me understand the Canadian workplace, improve communication, and build a network that would later open doors.â Anita stressed that volunteering is not unpaid workâitâs strategic growth. And when reviewing resumes today as a senior leader, she still looks for that same hunger to grow, contribute, and learn. She also reminded the audience: âYour rĂ©sumĂ© should speak to what the company is looking for, not just what youâve done. Sometimes, we have to unlearn and reposition ourselves for the new environment weâre in.â Q&A and Candid Advice The event featured a dynamic Q&A session where attendees asked everything from âWhich certifications matter most?â to âHow do I explain a gap in my rĂ©sumĂ©?â Both speakers and Moncton Cares founder Ketan Raval offered heartfelt, practical responses. Ketan added a powerful reminder: âAs a newcomer, your first job might be at Walmart or McDonaldâsâbut donât look at it as a dead end. That person youâre serving might be your future employer. Always stay curious, keep networking, and look for opportunities in unexpected places.â He also stressed the current job market reality: âMoncton has grown by nearly 50,000 people in the last 6 years, but jobs havenât grown at the same pace. Thatâs why going the extra mileâvolunteering, showing up to events, building relationshipsâis not optional. Itâs essential.â Key Takeaways from the Night Tailor your rĂ©sumĂ©Â to each jobâfocus on employer needs, not just your skills Volunteering leads to visibilityâitâs experience, not just goodwill Employers value adaptability and long-term mindset over job-hopping Donât fear survival jobsâthey can be stepping stones if you stay alert Networking in person mattersâsome of the best opportunities are never posted online Be ready to unlearn and relearnâyouâre not starting from scratch, youâre starting from experience More Than a Networking NightâA Community in Action For many attendees, this event was their first real chance to connect with industry professionals face-to-face. And for others, it was a critical reminder that theyâre not aloneâand theyâre not starting from zero. Moncton Cares continues to host free, high-impact career networking events across sectorsâfrom IT to healthcare, journalism to tradesâcreating one of Atlantic Canadaâs most inclusive and actionable newcomer ecosystems.  Stay connected Follow Moncton Cares on Facebook and visit monctoncares.ca to join future events, workshops, and volunteer opportunities. Would you like a visual LinkedIn post or carousel summarizing these insights for professional sharing?
