Aasha Bench Sponsorship Information

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that this land which we call home is part of the ancestral land of the Chippewa, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples, referred to collectively as the Anishinaabeg. It is through the connection of the Anishinaabeg with the spirit of the land, water and air that we recognize their unique cultures, traditions, and values. Together as treaty people, we have a shared responsibility to act with respect for the environment that sustains all life, protecting the future for those generations to come.

~ Lambton Acknowledgement of Ancestral Lands

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Sponsorship Information

We are seeking financial support to bring the Aasha Bench project to life, with a total project cost of approximately $2,500 and a remaining cost of $1,800 to be raised. To recognize your generosity, the project’s landing page will feature your logo and express our heartfelt appreciation for your contribution.

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The Aasha Bench is a vibrant community project located in Centennial Park, Sarnia, designed to inspire connections between newcomers, immigrants, international students, and locals. Modelled after the concept of a “Buddy Bench,” often seen on playgrounds or in schoolyards, this brightly colored bench serves as a signal that someone sitting there is open to building connections. It invites people to meet, share stories, and foster a sense of belonging, symbolizing hope and inclusivity.

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Accompanying the bench will be a plaque that includes the following text:

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"The Aasha Bench, the Hope Bench, is a space for newcomers and locals to connect. By sitting here, you signal openness to conversation and connection. Together, we grow a community of belonging and hope. For all those to come - we welcome you.

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Scan the QR code for the full story and for resources through the Welcome to Lambton app."

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Your support will help bring this initiative to life, creating a lasting resource that reflects Sarnia’s dedication to diversity, inclusion, and community-building.

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Buddy Bench Definition 

The concept of a buddy bench was originally created for children, as a tool to help combat loneliness and bullying by offering a brightly-coloured bench, labeled “Buddy Bench”  in school yards and playgrounds for students to sit on, which would signal to others their need for companionship, encouraging inclusivity and support among peers. While this definition illustrates the general idea, the Buddy Bench concept has been adapted for our broader, more adult-oriented initiative in Sarnia. The "Aasha Bench" takes inspiration from this model but serves as a welcoming space for adult newcomers, immigrants, and international students. Instead of signaling to other children, this bench will foster connections between newcomers and local residents, offering a space for them to feel included, access resources via a QR code, and interact with a supportive community. The goal remains similar—combating isolation and promoting inclusion—but it has been thoughtfully reimagined to meet the needs of newcomers. 

 

~ Buddy Bench History

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Project Summary 

Seeking sponsorship for the installation of a Buddy Bench in Centennial Park to support immigrants, international students and any other newcomers. 

 

This project involves the installation of a “Buddy Bench” named the Aasha Bench (translating to “Hope” Bench in Hindi). The bench will serve as a designated spot where newcomers, immigrants and international students can gather to signal their desire to connect with the local community. The bench, through its sign post with engraved QR code, features a website space that hosts The Welcome to Lambton App, which informs newcomers of local businesses and organizations that offer relevant services and support.

 

This project aims to create a sign of continued hope, inclusion, support and community for anyone who is new to Sarnia. Aasha Bench will have a connection to all of the resources Sarnia has to offer them. We hope that Aasha Bench will serve as a long-standing reminder that all are welcome here, and that the people of Sarnia are ready to support those to come.

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The Story Behind the Bench

Each year many newcomers come to Ontario. In 2022-2023 around 199,297 immigrants came to Ontario, and there were around 2000 international students at Lambton College alone. People come from all over to start anew in Sarnia. 

 

~ Immigration Statistics

~ International Students at Lambton

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The Aasha Name

While the name “Buddy Bench” is well suited for younger audiences, it did not meet the vision of this project, which prompted the decision to find a new name for this initiative. We’ve chosen a new name Aasha, meaning hope in Hindi. With the name Aasha, we hope to encompass some of the shared feelings and experiences of any newcomers, so that they may see themselves reflected in Aasha’s story and feel welcomed in Sarnia too. 

 

The following story is a true story of an international student that came to Sarnia just a few years ago. This story will now be known as Aasha’s story, to showcase that this one international student’s story is just one of many. 

 

Aasha’s adventure captures the thrill and fear of starting fresh and the power of a little hope sprinkled in along the way. So, while we have changed the name, we have not lost sight of all the beauty that can grow from a bit of hope, and a lot of community support. 

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Aasha’s Story

 

Torn between the comfort of home and the promise of a new beginning, this is the story of many newcomers to Canada. The story of Aasha, the story of hope.

 

Aasha’s journey began - and almost ended - during winter, as Canadians know far too well, the struggle of Northern living. Snow covered the ground, and the cold was kind of intense. Aasha had a place to stay at a hotel neighboring Centennial Park, but she arrived in the early morning, to a room that was not yet ready. So, she decided to take a walk in the park. The river beside her reminded her of the oceans crossed to get here. Home never felt so far away. 

 

As she walked, she found a bench to rest on. Breathing in the crisp air, Aasha thought about the adventures ahead. Her excitement was matched with nervousness, loneliness, and a lot of uncertainty.

 

Later, a local woman stopped to talk to Aasha. The woman offered support and some words of wisdom for Aasha in this new journey. In fact, nearly everywhere Aasha went, she was greeted by local Sarnians, with offers of kindness, resources, and help with adjusting to her new surroundings.

 

As Aasha grew more comfortable with her new city of Sarnia, she returned to that bench almost every night. It became a place of reflection, where she would sit and remember her first days in Sarnia, thinking about how far she had come since then.

 

She started school at Lambton College, where she met fellow international students and moved into a place with them. Together, they embarked on many adventures across Lambton County. As her friendships grew, Aasha was reminded of the bench she had once sat on alone. 

 

A lot has changed since Aasha’s first days in Canada almost two years ago. She has made friends, worked hard, and graduated from college. To this day, she returns to Centennial Park, sits down on the bench, and reflects on where it all started. As she works towards permanent residency and finding her next career, she stops at this bench to remind herself of the support around her, the challenges she has overcome to be here, and the similar struggles of her peers. She is confident they too will be greeted by the kindness of local Sarnians.

 

So, Aasha returns to the bench, takes a deep breath, and reflects on her journey. It hasn’t been easy, and sometimes the road has been traveled alone, but she is thankful to have landed in Sarnia. This place has become her home away from home.

 

Eve’s Story

 

Hello! I’m Eve, a proud Sarnian born and raised. I may have ventured off to Waterloo to dive into Peace and Conflict Studies, but Sarnia’s always been home. And let’s be honest, in a city like ours, it’s a safe bet that my grandpa knows your grandpa. 

 

But the magic of Sarnia isn’t just in its size or familiarity—it’s in the community we’ve built together.

 

From a young age, I’ve been fascinated by how people get along. What sparks collaboration? What ignites that sense of community? Here in Sarnia, we have built a strong foundation of community support—coming together to help one another, offering assistance to families in need, and fostering a spirit of kindness.

 

During an internship with the Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council, I learned about a life-changing concept rooted in Indigenous teachings: hope, belonging, meaning, and purpose. It said that these are the four pillars every person needs to live life; these are the essential pieces to life promotion. Pretty simple, right? 

 

So, then I wanted to know, how do we infuse hope and belonging into our community? Sarnia already has some initiatives that foster inclusion and strength; but when I heard Aasha’s story, it reminded me of the different paths we all walk. While I’ve been fortunate enough to call Sarnia home all my life, not everyone has that luxury. Many arrive here with nothing but hope in their hearts. And while we do have some resources to welcome newcomers, I wondered about their first, nerve-wracking days. How can we make an impact right from the very start? 

 

That’s when the idea of a “buddy bench” came to mind — what if we created a special symbol that stood out from the rest, just for newcomers, immigrants, and international students? Imagine a bench, with a link to all our local resources and community partners, a place where a newcomer could sit and be joined by locals, ready to share a bit of their Sarnia expertise.

 

And where better to put this bench than in Centennial Park? With its new iconic Sarnia sign and proximity to hotels, that many international students and immigrants use in the beginning days of their journey here with us - it seems like the perfect spot. 

 

As we gear up for big changes in Cantara Park and around the city of Sarnia, this bench, Aasha bench, the bench of hope, can be a welcoming gesture, a place where any newcomer who is feeling alone, can find the strength of our community waiting for them, on a simple, yet powerful, bench.

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Project Objectives

1. Promote social inclusion: Providing a symbol of Sarnia, as a place where newcomers, immigrants and international students can feel included. A place where everyone can find a sense of belonging.

2. Community awareness: Emphasizing conversations around how we support people as they come to Sarnia, and more naturally tying them into everyday conversations

3. Enhance mental wellbeing: In this adapted version of a buddy bench, the Aasha bench will act as a public space where newcomers can sit if they are feeling lonely, or looking for resources, and where locals can join them there to offer support.

4. Foster cultural exchange: The Aasha bench will encourage dialogue and understanding between diverse cultural groups. The bench will serve as a symbol of a welcoming space in Sarnia, and promote conversations and support shared between newcomers and locals.

5. Promote Resources: Sarnia has resources for newcomers, international students and immigrants. However, without a base, and a hub, or without building strong enough connections, many of the resources may be underutilized, or missed. If there is a space that can be promoted as “hosting” all of the resources, whether through the Lambton Immigration Partnership (LIP) or a unique space for the bench’s QR Code to exist online, then newcomers can have easier access to and a better understanding of available support. Additionally, locals that have knowledge of resources themselves, will be more equipped to share those resources.

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Project Target Audiences

1. International Students: Students from abroad studying at Lambton College who are looking to connect with peers and community members.

2. Newcomers and Immigrants: Individuals who have recently arrived in the community and are seeking social connections.

3. Local Community Members: Residents interested in supporting newcomers and contributing to a welcoming community.

4. Local Businesses: Companies offering services such as language classes, cultural integration programs, mental health support, or other relevant services.​

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A Note on Current Events

In light of recent government decisions in relation to immigrants, international students, and newcomers, we recognize the complexity of balancing our commitment to being a welcoming community with adherence to established pathways for coming to Canada; noting that those who do arrive may face even greater challenges in the near future. 

 

Regardless of differing views on the current situation, it is clear that newcomers will need our support, especially now, as they transition to life in Canada. 

 

Our community's strength lies in our compassion, empathy and willingness to support one another. We can continue to stand together to ensure that newcomers feel valued, supported, and integrated into the fabric of our city. 

 

In this trying time, the Aasha Bench can become an even greater symbol of our strength and support. It stands as a testament to our enduring commitment to welcome and uplift those who seek a new beginning in our community. This bench is not just a place to sit; it is a beacon of hope, connection, and solidarity, reflecting the values that make Sarnia a place where everyone can find a home.

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Thank you!

Thank you for taking the time to review our sponsorship information for the Aasha Bench. This project is more than just a bench; it’s a symbol of hope, belonging, and the power of community. Together, we have the opportunity to create a welcoming space where newcomers can feel supported from the moment they arrive in Sarnia. With your help, we can make a lasting impact, fostering connections and spreading the spirit of kindness that defines our community. Your support is invaluable as we work together to bring this vision of hope to life.