In 1967, a determined group of newcomers to Canada formed the K-W Folk Arts Council and organized the very first Multicultural Festival in Kitchener-Waterloo. Over time, the mandate of that organization expanded to providing support and assistance to newcomers to our community and then later to provide interpretation and translation services to public and private sector clients in the community.

Today, the Centre provides a wide range of services to thousands of clients throughout Waterloo Region (and beyond) …and still hosts one of the biggest Multicultural Festivals in Canada every year.

As a non-profit, registered charity, we are grateful for the support of our many funders.

The Centre is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors elected from and by our general membership.

We see an inclusive and safe community, where every individual, regardless of immigration status, has equitable access to opportunities and resources to prosper and thrive.
— KWMC Vision Statement
to foster inclusion by providing settlement services, programs and interpretation supports to our community while celebrating its cultural diversity
— KWMC Mission Statement

OUR VALUES

  • Advocacy We stand, take action and empower others to create positive change in our community.

  • Welcoming We strive to create an inclusive and respectful space .

  • Accountability We act responsibly to fulfill our commitments .

  • Community We believe we are stronger together and actively foster collaboration.

  • Responsiveness We listen, adapt, and innovate, resulting in positive solutions .


Annual Reports

Press Releases

Support Services Team

  • Michele Aveline

  • Riham Hegazy

Senior Management Team

  • Lucia Harrison

    CEO

  • Eltag El-Khalifa

    Employment and Special Projects Manager

  • Ana Luz Martinez

    Settlement Programs Manager

  • Brittney Emslie

    Director of Operations

  • Arup Mukherjee

    Director of Finance and Business Operations

  • Ohayla Al-Khatib

    Interpretation Services Manager

  • Keith Summers

    Marketing & Communications Manager

Board of Directors

  • Alaa Allouh

  • Ayo Owodunni

  • Debbie Chapman

  • John Goodman

  • Paige Monck-Whipp

  • Paulina Cisneiros

  • Romy Yee

  • Yasir Dildar