Welcoming Communities Strategy

FINAL REPORT: A Strategic Approach for Regional Growth—Applying Community Learnings to Foster Economic Development, Social Inclusion, and Well-Being, August 15, 2025

Report prepared by: Roseann Linstead, Program Manager, Welcoming Communities Project

Thank You to Our Funders
International Grenfell Association, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

We extend our deepest gratitude to our funders for believing in Southern Labrador Development Association's (SLDA) vision and making the Labrador Straits Welcoming Communities Strategy project possible. Your support has empowered us to bring people together, celebrate our region's strengths, and respond to real challenges with creativity, compassion, and purpose.

Thanks to your investment, we've been able to launch meaningful initiatives that have touched lives—from welcoming newcomers, visitors, returning residents and supporting seniors to fostering youth engagement and strengthening community connections. This project has not only built momentum across the Labrador Straits—it has inspired pride, hope, and a shared sense of belonging.

Your commitment to our communities has helped lay the foundation for a more inclusive, resilient future. On behalf of our team, our partners, and the many residents whose lives have been enriched through this work—thank you for helping us make it happen.

About Our Amazing Team!
We've been incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated and dynamic team at the heart of the Welcoming Communities project. Guided by SLDA's mission—Working Together for Social and Economic Betterment in the Labrador Straits—our three-person team, made up of a Program Manager, Program Officer, and Employment Connections Officer, worked in close collaboration throughout the initiative. Our efforts were strengthened by the ongoing support of SLDA's Executive Director, our Senior Services Officer, and the nonprofit board, whose collective guidance helped drive the project's success. Our regular weekly team meetings created space to share progress, align goals, and highlight how interconnected our efforts were. This collaboration strengthened each initiative and amplified our collective impact across the region.

Link to the document: Strategic Focus Workbook

The Strategies Master List Workbook is an outcome and planning tool supporting SLDA's Labrador Straits Welcoming Communities Strategy project, a collaborative initiative dedicated to the social and economic betterment of the region. This resource compiles actionable strategies aimed at making the Labrador Straits region more welcoming to locals, newcomers, visitors, and returning residents while addressing two core objectives:
1. Addressing the demographic decline in the Labrador Straits;
2. Strengthening the local labour pool to ensure long-term economic sustainability.

These goals are pursued through a two-fold approach: enhancing community infrastructure and deepening engagement with the business community and key stakeholders.

🧭 Navigating the Strategies Master List Workbook
To efficiently explore and access relevant content:

- Refer to the Master Strategies tab for a full overview of all Focus Areas in one centralized view.

- Use the filter arrow to select the Focus Area. (Each section includes an identified challenge, brief issue summary, its source, whether during a coffee break discussion, community event or other learned challenge, actions taken to date, suggestions received or recommended, a link to the Recommended Strategy, the suggested designated lead, and any relevant notes.

- Follow the color-coded tabs linked in the Master List for easy navigation across focus area sections.

- After reviewing a Recommended Strategy, simply click the link at the top of that strategy page to return to the Strategies Master List.

Working together with communities, businesses, organizations, and stakeholders for social and economic betterment. Addressing the concerning demographics and working towards strengthening the labour pool to build and maintain a strong local economy here in the Labrador Straits.

Exciting partnership for social and economic growth in the Labrador Straits Region. Our team is proud to announce that this project is a collaborative effort, with support from the International Grenfell Association, Government of Newfoundland & Labrador, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, local partners, and the Southern Labrador Development Association.

EXPLORE Labrador Straits! Video
Explore breathtaking landscapes, immerse yourself in rich history, and vibrant communities. Experience the thrill of whale watching, the joy of berry picking, and the magic of this stunning region. For outdoor enthusiasts, adventure awaits with hiking the Labrador Pioneer Footpath, fly fishing, ATV rides, and winter activities like snowmobiling, skiing, or snowshoeing. Connect with nature, uncover the charm and EXPLORE Labrador Straits!

💚This video was created thru SLDA'S Labrador Straits Welcoming Communities Strategy project, supported with funding from International Grenfell Association (IGA), Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

Click the link below to learn more about our Welcome Kits
https://www.slda.ca/home/29#s263

As part of SLDA's Welcoming Communities initiative, we are gaining insights into the entrepreneurs and local businesses in the Labrador Straits, and their positive impact on social and economic progress.

Check out SLDA's Business Member Profiles: https://www.slda.ca/home/63 (located under Membership)

What is Inclusion? It is belonging to a community where every individual feels valued, respected, and supported, regardless of their background, abilities, or perspectives. Inclusion means creating an environment where diverse voices are heard and differences are celebrated, fostering a culture of empathy and understanding. It involves active efforts to ensure that everyone has equal opportunities to participate, contribute, and thrive. By embracing inclusion, we build stronger, more vibrant communities where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential and positively impact the world around them.

The SLDA's Welcoming Communities initiative invites everyone to take a moment to view this shared video, embracing the message that "We are all in this together." Inclusion and Diversity will be a discussion topic at an upcoming ☕Coffee Break... stay tuned!

We have 'Grounds for Discussions' and invite you to explore creative and innovative solutions to address thirteen (13) identified challenges faced by residents in the Labrador Straits area.

🔗Click the link to choose the topic(s) you are interested in. https://forms.office.com/r/pgYfasTkyu

✨"There will always be issues and challenges, however, there is also progress. Our goal is to develop both short-term and long-term strategies for improvements. We want to make a difference!"✨

LINK to Presentation

EXPLORE the presentation to discover more about the SLDA's Welcoming Communities initiative and its latest updates. This initiative was started to tackle labor challenges, promote strong community development, and address demographic shifts. By collaborating, we aim to create a positive impact for the social and economic advancement in the Labrador Straits region.