Volunteer Stories
12 Moments of Connection: A Look Back at 2020
2020 has certainly not been the year any of us expected. The global health crisis has been a test of our resilience. While it has kept us apart, it has…
Read MoreVolunteer Peter van Katwijk brought his love and warmth for teaching to the NCC for more than 16 years
Peter van Katwijk understands how challenging it can be for newcomers to leave everything behind to build a new life, in a new country. “I came to Canada from Holland…
Read MoreOur Staff Say A Special Thank You to Volunteers
“The world needs more people like you.” – Mahdi Bubteina, Refugee Assistance Program Worker “You give everyone a good example of being a good Canadian in the future, and give…
Read MoreSharing a Love for Language and Teaching through Volunteering
Each year, close to 120 newcomers are supported with their English Language learning and development through ESL groups offered for free at the New Canadians Centre. We’re deeply fortunate that…
Read MoreHappy National Volunteer Week!
You are the best neighbour a newcomer can ask for… To our nearly 500 volunteers who support us each year, THANK YOU again and again for making our beautiful community…
Read MoreLongtime Volunteer Barbara Herring Shares Highlights From Her Volunteer Experience
“Volunteering at the NCC is the equivalent to world travel,” says long time volunteer Barbara Herring, as the stories and experiences shared with her makes her feel like she has…
Read MoreVolunteering at the New Canadians Centre allows Sylvia Dick to meaningfully engage in the community
Since participating in an exchange program to Ecuador during high school where she learned Spanish, followed by a year teaching English in South Korea and now tutoring English to newcomers,…
Read MoreReflection by Volunteer Support Team Member: Charles Shamess
A Reflection by Charles Shamess, a Volunteer Support Group member Volunteering with Syrian refugee families over the past year has been a roller coaster of emotions. The anxiety that comes…
Read MoreLisa Jackson reflects on being a Volunteer Support Team Member
A Reflection by Lisa Jackson, a Volunteer Support Group member “The best part of this whole process is that our family has become friends with this Syrian family. True…
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