On Thursday, November 5, 2026, the County of Simcoe proudly hosted the 14th annual Newcomer Recognition Awards, celebrating the outstanding contributions of newcomers, organizations, businesses, and community leaders who help make our region a welcoming and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive.
Selected through an open nomination process overseen by a committee of community stakeholders, this year’s Newcomer Recognition Award recipients were recognized across eight award categories:
· Educator Excellence – Sue Collingbourne
· Inclusive Housing Practices – Brolin Devine & Aiesha Aggarwal
· Immigrant Artist – Alina Hromko
· Immigrant Mentor – Devraj Sirohi
· Newcomer Inclusive Service Delivery – Innisfil ideaLAB and Library
· Service Excellence – Melissa Fletcher
· Small Business Owner – Beatriz Zanatelli
· Youth Community Champion – Fatima Abdulaziz Khattak
· Youth Community Champion – Mateo Velasco Alva
The Innisfil ideaLAB & Library was honoured to receive the County of Simcoe’s 2026 Newcomer Inclusive Service Delivery Award, recognizing its commitment to creating welcoming spaces, connecting newcomers with essential services and helping individuals and families build a sense of belonging in their new community.
The Innisfil ideaLAB & Library extends its thanks to the award organizers for recognizing the important work being done in our community. Congratulations to all the nominees and award recipients. The Library is proud to be among so many organizations and individuals making a meaningful difference across Simcoe County.
To view all the services available at the Library, please visit https://www.innisfilidealab.ca/social-services/