About Us

HMC Connections was founded in 1978 by volunteers from a number of local cultural groups who wanted to create a welcoming community for newcomers and refugees.

A Brief History

We started our work under the Oakville Social Planning Council and became incorporated in June 1980 under the name Oakville Multicultural Council.  In 1998 we changed our name to the Halton Multicultural Council as we were serving the whole of Halton.  We now brand as HMC Connections with offices across Halton.

Veronica Tyrrell, a founding member of HMC honored by the Town Council of Halton

Introducing HMC Podcast ! Click Here to read more and listen to the podcast

Our Mission

HMC Connections helps newcomers settle and integrate into a welcoming and inclusive community.

Our Vision

One Community for All

Mandate

HMC’s mandate is to enable all individuals, regardless of race or ethnic origin, to participate as full and active members of the community while fostering mutual respect and understanding.

The objectives of the organization are:

  1. To provide services and programs to facilitate and assist the settlement and integration of immigrants and refugees to the community.
  2. To develop community education programs to increase the general awareness of the needs of immigrants and refugees and to facilitate cross-cultural communication and understanding.
  3. To create and provide opportunities for members of various ethno-cultural groups/organizations to discuss common interests and to develop cooperative undertaking.
  4. To encourage and promote dialogue and co-operation between members and representatives of service organizations and public officials.
  5. To encourage and facilitate the development of support groups and community organizations for immigrants and refugees when possible and required.
  6. To provide cultural activities and special events designed to foster the representation of cultural heritage and to improve and develop intercultural understanding.

Core Values

  • Fostering mutual respect and understanding of each other.
  • Building awareness and understanding regarding cultural communications and differences.
  • Supporting the community to be inclusive, diverse, supportive and respectful.
  • Empowering newcomers to live work and belong while helping to preserve their own culture and uniqueness.
  • Advocating for newcomers’ rights and services.
  • Establishing strong accountability to all of our stakeholders

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

President – Julie Alleyn

Vice President – Cindy Sudac

Treasurer – Mary Rose VanKesteren

Secretary – Eleonor Kerr

Director – Hina Sajid

Director – Pankaj Mehra

Director – Louis Tsai

Director – Elizabeth Molinaro

Director – Jeff Sandy

Director – Sylvanus Fonguh

Director – Rocio Farrell

Director – Beshoy Gingris

Executive Director – Kim Jenkinson (non-voting member)

To directly contact HMC Board of Directors, please email board@nullhmcconnections.com

For general program information, or for any inquiries about HMC please email info@nullhmcconnections.com