Impact Stories
Local schools come together to help welcome newcomers this holiday season
“Welcome to the wonderful town of Peterborough!” The New Canadians Centre Peterborough welcomes over 800 newcomers from across the world each year. The holiday season can be a tough time for new families as they adjust to their new surroundings, language, and even climate. To help welcome newcomers this season, Grade 9 students of Ecole…
Read MoreFor the first time in her life, Charlotte can see the future. It’s here, in Peterborough
We are inspired every day by the people we work with and the community we live in. This is Charlotte’s story. “My name is Imaniragena Charlotte Nzabondera. I was five years old when the civil war in Rwanda broke out. Soldiers stormed my family’s home. We were forced to leave our house. We had no…
Read MoreWith your help, newcomers are building their lives and skills in PTBO
Your Generous Support Builds a Diverse & Welcoming Peterborough, Thank You! Thank You for supporting the work of the New Canadians Centre as donors, funders, volunteers, and partners. We couldn’t do it without you! Would You like to make a tax-deductible gift before the end of 2018? You can make a secure on-line…
Read MoreKhidir’s Story: From Leaving School Because of the War to Studying to be an Accountant at Fleming College
Life changed for 24-year-old Khidir Bkdach when he started volunteering at the New Canadians Centre. “One day, Khidir walked into my office and told me he wanted to improve his English. I believed the best way for Khidir to not only develop his English but start to feel connected to the community that was…
Read MoreYour Generosity Gives Ahmad the Chance to Fulfill his Goal of Becoming an Electrician in Canada
32-year-old Ahmad Lalou knows the importance of living in a welcoming community. “When I’m at the grocery store, people smile at me. I don’t feel alone. I feel like we belong here.” Having made the journey from Syria with his young family, Ahmad remembers meeting Salwa Mirgani, his Transition Settlement Worker from the…
Read MoreYMCA are key partners in welcoming newcomer youth and families in Peterborough
Over the years, the YMCA of Central East Ontario has worked closely with the NCC team to welcome newcomers to our community. Through the Peterborough Welcome Pass, the YMCA provides a three-month complimentary family membership to newcomers. In 2017, 409 newcomers joined the YMCA through this program. Once this membership expires, many families utilise the…
Read MoreInclusivity and Diversity Supports Community Growth & Stability
Supporting and encouraging diversity and inclusivity in our communities benefits everyone, according to Gabriele Zeh-Abramsky, Board Director, New Canadians Centre Peterborough. “When people come to Canada to build a new life they have to face so many challenges – from learning a new language to understanding the culture,” says Gabriele. “When we welcome and support…
Read MoreSiemens Promotes Important Role Diversity Plays in Growth and Sustainability of our Community
Every year Jean-Rene Larocque looks forward to attending the Multicultural Canada Day Festival at Del Crary Park with his family. “It’s a wonderful celebration of music and dance from various countries from all around the world,” says Larocque. “And the food is fantastic.” Head of R&D at Siemens Peterborough, Larocque is excited to support the…
Read MoreMulticultural Festival Promotes Positive Impact of Community Connection
Carmela Valles, Carmela Valles Immigration Consulting “When I first came to Peterborough in 1990 I was one of two students from the Philippines enrolled at Trent University,” says Carmela Valles. A former Executive Director of the New Canadians Centre Peterborough who owns and operates her own immigration consulting company, Carmela says it was a time…
Read MoreTim Hortons Helping to Bring Youth and Communities Together
Every year, Mithila Ballal’s South Asian dancers look forward to performing at the Multicultural Canada Day Festival. “The children love participating in this community-centred event,” says Ballal. “Dance provides young children with various benefits such as physical and cognitive development, social awareness and emotional maturity.” Through Bharathanatyam, the classical Indian form of dance the group…
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