In response to high demands for affordable labour, over three thousand Migrant Workers are brought to the Niagara Region each year to work on local farms and vineyards. Approximately 300 of migrant workers live and work in the Pelham area and are a part of our communities. Due to language barriers, lack of information and accessibility issues, many of these workers are unable to access or receive health, social and other services that are available to them.

The Welland MacMaster Family Health Team (WMFHT) has been providing support to Pelham Migrant Workers for the last 3 years in running Sunday afternoon health clinics in the summer at locations in Pelham.To aid in the availability and accessibility of information, WMFHT, in partnership with the Niagara Migrant Workers Interest Group (NMWIG) and Positive Living Niagara, hosted a Health Fair for Migrant Workers on Sunday, June 4th from 2-5pm at the Fenwick United Church, 1050 Church Street, Fenwick.

“The objective for the Health Fair was to increase access to health and social information to Pelham’s Migrant Workers and to provide a social event that brings workers together in a sense of community. For many years, NMWIG has hosted a similar event in Niagara-On-The-Lake, but this is the first year that this event was held in Pelham as well.” said Lauren DeNapoli, WMFHT, FHO Administrator and Health Educator

Information tables were hosted by several resource providers including: Niagara Region Public Health, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc. (OHCOW), Positive Living Niagara, and Niagara Community Legal Clinic, Pelham Cares with the Lincoln Pelham Public Library also offering local community outreach services

Approximately 70 local Migrant Workers attended this inaugural Health Fair and the on-site clinic was utilized to its capacity throughout the event. An authentic Mexican taco lunch was served by Niagara local mobile food company, The Sanora Market, and volunteers and guests alike enjoyed a day of fellowship, good food and community connection.

“I felt the warmth, the acceptance and the pleasure of friendship that was offered here today. I feel very confident in saying that the men here today know they are now a more integral part of our community and that we welcome them and support them”, said Health Fair Volunteer, Carol Harding, Canadian Federation of University Women, CFUW, Welland and District.

Specials thanks to the many local business sponsors and community groups – PharmaChoice-Family Health Pharmacy Pelham; Fenwick Pharmacy; Urge to Purge Inc. (Mark Melloni); Rotary Club of Fonthill; Century 21 Today Realty Ltd; Team Berkhout Bosse – Remax Niagara Realty Ltd.,Brokerage; Giant Tiger; Country Boys Mobile Food Services; Country Corner Market ; Grimsby Seniors Club who contributed items for the welcome bags that were distributed to all the Migrant Farm Workers and the various prizes that were raffled at the event including two bicycles donated by Canadian Tire and CAA Niagara.