Cape Breton, NS – The Cape Breton Welcome Network, a new program launched through the Cape Breton Partnership, is ready to welcome newcomers to our island.

The Welcome Network, a constellation of volunteer-led Welcome Groups, exists to create welcoming opportunities for those who are new to the island. The initiative, which started in September, 2020, has since formed six independent welcome groups, with more than fifty volunteers, across the island.

“We’re really excited about the outpouring of volunteers – whom we call Welcomers,” says Norma Jean MacPhee, Coordinator of the Cape Breton Welcome Network. “With Welcome Groups now formed across the Island, in six distinct communities, we’re ready to connect with newcomers. The success of happiness and belonging comes from the true welcoming of those already living in the area,” says MacPhee.

Actions of the Welcome Group volunteers could include anything from an email, to a meal invite, or even a walk in the park.

“Simple supports in the form of a phone call, welcoming basket or a virtual chat can provide a foundation that is anything but simple,” says Carla Arsenault, President and CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “These actions quickly show newcomers that their neighbours care and that they are indeed supported as they make this transition to their new Cape Breton home.”

Volunteer-led, the groups are positioned to support newcomers on many fronts and provide much needed support.

“There are few things more important to the success of living in a new location than a friendly, kind, sincere person eager to share the vibrancy of their neighbourhood,” says volunteer Megan Ringer. 

This program, funded by the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration, is valuable to newcomers and welcomers alike.

“The Cape Breton Welcome Network exemplifies the qualities integral to our province: those of kindness, support and friendship,” said Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Nova Scotia Office of Immigration. “Immigration is making a positive difference across the province, strengthening, and revitalizing rural communities and benefiting our provincial economy. Welcome Groups across Cape Breton are so important because they help newcomers feel welcome in their new communities.”

Those looking to be welcomed, start a new welcome group, or keen to get involved in existing welcome groups, should contact welcomenetwork@capebretonpartnership.com or visit https://welcometocapebreton.ca/welcomenetwork for more information.

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Media Contact:
Mark Inglis
Cape Breton Partnership
902-562-0122
mark@capebretonpartnership.com

About the Cape Breton Partnership:
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.

(SYDNEY, NS) – The Cape Breton Partnership, in collaboration with the NextGen Unama’ki Leadership Society, is pleased to announce the Vital Award Winners for 2020. The seventh annual Vital Cape Breton Excellence Awards was held virtually on Sunday December 13, 2020 and more than 130 tuned in to watch live.

The seventh annual Vital Awards celebrated individuals between the ages of 16 – 40 who have made a significant impact in their community or workplace. The Awards also honour employers who recognize the importance of giving youth and young professionals meaningful work experience.

The winners were as follows:

Vital Excellence Award – Nominees are individuals who have played a vital role in their community through volunteerism, culture, leadership, innovation, etc.​

Vital Employee Excellence Award – Employers can nominate an employee who has played a vital role in their workplace in Cape Breton.

Vital Employer Excellence Award – Recognizes employers who have played a vital role in creating rewarding employment opportunities for youth in Cape Breton.

Although the event was unable to happen in person, the live format was a great way to engage people from all across Cape Breton and beyond.  “As a new business owner in Cape Breton, I feel deeply honoured that my peers and community come together to celebrate what we have all accomplished together,” said Jill MacPherson, owner and operator of Island Folk cider House.

Sixteen Cape Bretoners and organizations were awarded on Sunday night encouraging the commitment to making Cape Breton a more vibrant and exciting place to live, work and play.

The Cape Breton Partnership and the NextGen Unama’ki Leadership Society want to extend their appreciation to all who joined in celebrating Cape Breton’s youth and their employers. For more information about the Vital Cape Breton Excellence Awards, visit the NextGen Cape Breton website.

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Media Contacts:
Allison MacDonald, NextGen Unama’ki co-chair
allisonvmacdonald@gmail.com    
902-304-7191

Erin Gallagher Lynk, NextGen Unama’ki co-chair
erin@unitedwaycapebreton.com
902-595-0045

NextGen Unama’ki co-chairs Allison MacDonald and Erin Gallagher Lynk hosted the 2020 Vital Awards Virtually on facebook live on December 13, 2020.

(SYDNEY, NS) – The Cape Breton Partnership, in collaboration with the NextGen Unama’ki Leadership Society, is pleased to present the seventh annual Vital Cape Breton Excellence Awards on Sunday December 13, 2020, but this year will be celebrated virtually.

The Vital Awards celebrate individuals between the ages of 16 – 40 who have made a significant impact in their community or workplace. The Awards also honour employers who recognize the importance of giving youth and young professionals meaningful work experience. After receiving numerous nominations, the winners for each category for the 2020 Vital Awards will be announced live on Facebook on Sunday.

“This year’s winners are all incredible and vital to Cape Breton,” says NextGen Unama’ki co-chair Allison MacDonald. “We have such a variety of talent and commitment to Cape Breton’s prosperity, it’s our honour to celebrate these people in our community.”

Although the celebration will be virtual this year, the committee is hoping it will allow more attendees to join in to celebrate the winners.

“We are celebrating virtually and that’s very fitting for 2020,” said Carla Arsenault, President and CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “A year like none other has created challenges, but also opportunities for young people in our community. We’ve seen people step up to the plate time after time and demonstrate resilience in a time of global uncertainty. The Vital Awards is just one way we can acknowledge their commitment to Cape Breton-Unamak’i and we’re proud of what they’ve accomplished.”

The Cape Breton Partnership and the NextGen Unama’ki Leadership Society invite you to join them in celebrating Cape Breton’s youth and their employers at the Virtual Vital Awards from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday December 13, 2020. You can tune in on Facebook live through the NextGen Cape Breton Unama’ki’s Facebook page. For more information about the Vital Cape Breton Excellence Awards, visit the NextGen Cape Breton website.

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Media Contacts:
Allison MacDonald, NextGen Unama’ki co-chair
allisonvmacdonald@gmail.com    
902-304-7191

Erin Gallagher Lynk, NextGen Unama’ki co-chair
erin@unitedwaycapebreton.com
902-595-0045

Cape Breton Island, NS – After a week-long online voting period, the Cape Breton Partnership’s Connector Program has announced the top 3 winners for the Hire Me Cape Breton Pitch Competition that showcases the Island’s top talent.  The top 3 winners are Tham Le in third place winning $200, Chandrayog Yadav in second place winning $300, and Ayha El-Darahali who has won the top prize of $1,000.   

The top six pitches were chosen by a selection committee of local professionals and were then voted on by the public. The online voting portion of the contest opened on November 16,2020 and closed at 11:59 P.M. ADT on November 23,2020. A total of 1,433 votes were cast through an online platform where the public could watch the top 6 videos and submit their vote.

“This contest has been an excellent opportunity to engage the Island’s employers with these talented individuals,” says Carla Arsenault, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “We are very pleased with the community’s involvement in the voting process and look forward to seeing the opportunities that lie ahead for the participants.”

Hire Me Cape Breton highlighted Cape Breton’s top talent through exposure to Cape Breton employers by inviting students approaching graduation, new graduates, newcomers, and job seekers to submit a 60-second video pitch. Using the video to tell local employers why they should be their next hire, participants uploaded video submissions to YouTube and submitted the video link through the official submission portal at www.HireMeCapeBreton.com.

“It is an honour to be given the opportunity to showcase my skills among the top talent in Cape Breton,” says Ayha El-Darahali, the top prize winner of Hire Me Cape Breton. “This competition provided me with the opportunity to connect with my fellow Capers and local employers on a broader scale. I believe this opportunity will be essential in helping me achieve my goal of giving back to my community through my work.”

All submitted videos which met our criteria will be shared on the Cape Breton Connector Program’s Facebook page in the coming weeks to offer all participants an opportunity to be seen by hiring organizations on the Island. To watch the top six video submissions, visit www.HireMeCapeBreton.com The Cape Breton Partnership also launched the Cape Breton Job Board this summer for local employers looking to promote vacant jobs or job seekers looking for employment on Cape Breton Island. The job board can be found at www.capebretonjobboard.com.

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Media Contacts:
Mark Inglis
Cape Breton Partnership
902-578-2482
Mark@capebretonpartnership.com

About the Cape Breton Partnership:
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.

Ayha El-Darahali, the top prize
winner of the Hire Me Cape Breton Pitch Competition.

Cape Breton Island, NS – After an overwhelming response for submissions, the Cape Breton Partnership’s Connector Program has chosen six finalists for the Hire Me Cape Breton Pitch Competition that showcases Cape Breton Island’s top talent. Originally intended for five finalists, the high-quality submissions inspired the selection panel to choose six individuals to advance to the final round of the competition.

The top six pitches have been chosen by a selection committee of local professionals. Starting November 16th, the contest is now in its final phase and voting is open to the public to choose who will win the top three prizes of $1,000, $300, and $200 respectively. The online voting will close on Monday, November 23rd at 11:59 P.M. ADT.

“We are very pleased with the amount of high-quality submissions that we’ve received,” says Carla Arsenault, President and CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “Although it was difficult to narrow down the finalists, this only proves the amount of talent that exists on our Island. It is a great opportunity for these six individuals to gain exposure that will help them establish their professional networks here in Cape Breton.”

Hire Me Cape Breton highlights Cape Breton’s top talent through exposure to Cape Breton employers by inviting students approaching graduation, new graduates, newcomers, and job seekers to submit a 60 second video pitch. Using the video to tell local employers why they should be their next hire, participants uploaded video submissions to YouTube and submitted the video link through the official submission portal at www.HireMeCapeBreton.com.

“We know that, in spite of the global pandemic, we have new graduates and hopeful job seekers ready to connect with Cape Breton companies,” says Cape Breton Connector Program Coordinator Robyn Lee Seale. “Hire Me Cape Breton is an opportunity for them to showcase their talent to the entire Island and for the Island to see just how much talent we have.”

To watch the top six video submissions and cast your vote, visit www.HireMeCapeBreton.com The Cape Breton Partnership also launched the Cape Breton Job Board this summer for local employers looking to promote vacant jobs or job seekers looking for employment on Cape Breton Island. The job board can be found at www.capebretonjobboard.com.

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Media Contacts:
Mark Inglis
Cape Breton Partnership
902-578-2482
Mark@capebretonpartnership.com

About the Cape Breton Partnership:
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.

All six candidates, from left to right are
Top: Brian Dang, Tham Le, Ayha El-Darahali
Bottom: Chandrayog Yadav, Rachel Leck, Kelly MacIsaac