Martensville is continually growing, and Shana Rushing, the Area Coordinator for Neighbourhood Welcome, is excited to help connect new residents with the community. Neighbourhood Welcome is a community-driven outreach program that gives Rushing the opportunity to put her passion for connection and community-building to good use.
Rushing’s background is deeply rooted in bringing people together and helping them access the local businesses and services that make a city feel like home. “It’s a natural fit for me. I love helping people feel at home and building partnerships that strengthen our community,” Rushing shared. Drawn to Neighbourhood Welcome’s mission of celebrating both newcomers and the businesses that shape Martensville, Rushing feels honoured to introduce the program to the city.
Neighbourhood Welcome is designed to bridge the gap between new residents and the local organizations that serve them. The program delivers personalized welcome packages to new households, introducing them to local shops, cafés, gyms, clinics, events, and essential services.
“It’s about creating a warm first impression and helping people feel rooted in their new community,” Rushing explained.
In Martensville, the program is expected to reach 20 to 30 new families each month, though that number may rise with ongoing housing growth and seasonal moves.
Each package is thoughtfully curated to reflect the character and offerings of the community. Items often include; a personalized welcome letter, coupons or gift certificates from local businesses, brochures featuring city services and upcoming events, small samples such as coffee, honey, or garden seeds, a community calendar featuring major events like Busterdays, and other items.
The goal is simple: give newcomers a warm, useful, and memorable introduction to Martensville.
The program places a strong focus on showcasing businesses and services that new residents are most likely to need. Local businesses are invited to contribute in-kind items to the welcome packages. Businesses can offer a variety of items such as gift cards, menus or brochures, product samples, discount coupons, etc.
In exchange, they gain direct exposure to new families who are actively seeking places to shop, eat, and get involved. Other communities running the program have already seen positive results, including increased foot traffic, long-term customer loyalty, and stronger brand recognition.
Rushing has big hopes for the program’s impact. “I hope it strengthens community pride and makes Martensville feel even more welcoming,” she said. For newcomers, that means instant connections. For businesses, it means forming relationships that last for years.
Looking ahead, Rushing envisions Neighbourhood Welcome expanding to include even more community partners, from churches to recreation centres, and growing into a central information hub for new residents. Seasonal features may also be added, such as highlighting Busterdays in June or Winter FunFest in February.
The long-term benefits of Neighbourhood Welcome are vast, with residents getting a sense of belonging in navigating their new home. Businesses can see sustainable growth and deeper community ties, and the city itself can become a more welcoming, and connected place to call home.
Rushing has already launched a Facebook page and plans to introduce an Instagram presence shortly. These platforms will be used to share local events, highlight community activities, and showcase the businesses participating in the program.
“Most of all; I’m thrilled to get this community buzzing, growing, and celebrating together,” Rushing added.
