Jerry Romero and Volkon Yildirim are deep in conversation at the Jasper Community Team barbecue. Dining on free hamburgers and feeling a little homesick, they reminisce about the flavours of their homelands. Romero is Mexican, while Yildirim is Turkish.

“I miss Jalepenos,” Romero said. “It’s hard to find tortillas.”

“In Turkey, we get natural foods from the field. Here I buy something that’s not fresh, and I can taste the chemicals,” Yildirim said.

Both new Canadians, they have come to the Rocky Mountains for very different reasons: Yildirim, the 23-year-old from Turkey who works in the laundry room for Mountain Park Lodges is here for the lifestyle.

“I’m here for adventure. I was in Vancouver for four months and a friend recommended me here, so I phoned the hotel and came,” Yildirim said.

Romero, on the other hand, is here for opportunity. It is the 35-year-old’s first time outside of his native Mexico. He has come to Jasper to find a better life for his family, and support his two daughters, both of whom are deaf. He is currently working as a housekeeper for Mountain Park Lodges.

“I came to work hard and improve their lifestyle. I moved to a first world country. My country has a lot of problems,” Romero said. ‘But I go to the library and see my children (on the computer) every day.”

He wants to eventually bring his family to Canada, but is worried his wife, who doesn’t like the cold, will not like it.

Yildirim is from the city, and said he’s come to meet many new people.

Despite their differences, the two have become fast friends, which is common at the annual community barbecue. Hosted by the Jasper Community Team, new residents to Jasper were invited to Centennial Park on June 15 to learn about community services and meet new people. It has become an annual event in Jasper, and one many groups clamour to join.

The diversity of stories is not unique, as this year, there is a greater focus on family events. More than 500 people attended the barbecue, and received information packages from groups such as HIV West Yellowhead, Parks Canada and Victim Services.

Some note a demographic shift.

“There aren’t as many Quebecois this year,” said Anne Daniels, with the AFCA. “They used to just hitchhike their way out here, but not so much.”

Jake Derksen, the new Youth Outreach worker with Community Outreach Services said the event was successful, even if attendance was down from previous years.

“We had some people in all age ranges come through, so it was good exposure,” Derksen said.

COS has tried to expand their reach, and hoped to see some results at the community barbecue.

“We’ve been trying some more pro-active measures to meet people, going into the hotels and staff accommodations to promote outreach services,” said Youth Outreach worker.

Yildirim and Romero said they’ve been treated very well since coming to Jasper, and appreciate events such as the barbecue. They’ve checked out many of the services

“People are very kind and always smile,” Romero said.

“We feel secure,” Yildirim said.