Many newcomers to Portage la Prairie are involved with the city's Portage Learning and Literacy Centre (PLLC) where they can learn English and find help to acquire work to better settle into our community. 

Portage Local Immigration Partnership Program Coordinator Mitch Tilk says they're making a call out for you to help them with some much-needed transportation.

"We're looking at acquiring a van for the PLLC to help with their newcomer clients that are having troubles with transportation," explains Tilk. "As we know, in our community, transportation is a big issue for a lot of people. The staff of PLLC and our staff here at the Portage Local Immigration Partnership had both attended a conference where representatives from IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) had mentioned that they're willing to pay for upkeep and gas for a van, but not the actual van, itself. So, we're just kind of hoping to put it out there to the universe that we're looking to get a van to help people get to ESL -- English As A Second Language classes -- and summer youth engagement programs."

He says there's not a specific fundraising program in effect yet.

"Maybe there are other organizations that have a van that they're looking to get rid of," continues Tilk. "Or if there's maybe private residents here that would like to help out an organization like PLLC, and help out newcomers in our community. As I said, the funding would be in place to pay for the maintenance and upkeep. We just need a physical van to get started with." 

Tilk says if you can help, you can give him a call at the Portage Local Immigration Partnership office at (204) 240-2871, or at the Portage Learning and Literacy Centre at (204) 857-6304.