Volume 8 | August 2018
Sticking with your own kind is normal
Dear CCI Friend,

Imagine you are forced to flee your home. Bombs have destroyed everything you have worked so hard for in life. You have nightmares about the future of your children. You are living in a refugee camp.

One day you get an opportunity to move to a new country. You’re safe. But there are challenges. There is a language to learn, a new culture to understand. You have to find a job to support your family.

So how do you cope with these challenges? You find other people from your country. It gives you comfort to live near other people who share a similar culture, speak the same language, eat the same food, have experienced a common history and more.

For every newcomer who has made their way to Ottawa, this is how settlement plays out. Go to any country in the world and you will find an ex-part Canadian community doing the same thing.

For newcomers to experience their full potential in Canada, integration is necessary. But settlement takes time. How much time? It can take years. Sticking with your own kind during those first few challenging years is normal. But history has proven newcomers will integrate into the larger community.

We can help newcomers integrate by being there to welcome them and to offer a helping hand when needed.

Kindest regards,

Carl Nicholson
Executive Director
Immigration Matters
Last month, Le Droit published a column about a Donald St. apartment complex where many Syrians live. It should be noted that there are people from all over the world living in that apartment complex as well as Canadians.

We were concerned with the characterization of the complex. The writer described it as a ghetto and ticking time bomb.

Our executive director Carl Nicholson wrote a column in response. Our goal was to paint a fuller picture of life for the residents on Donald St. and to raise awareness about the length of time it takes for newcomers to settle. (He addressed one of those concerns in his monthly message above).

Please take the time to read Carl's column and share it on your social media feeds with the hashtag #immigrationmatters.
Cooking up Canadian cuisine
One of the many challenges newcomers face is becoming familiar with the cuisine of their new country. It can even be challenging to find your way around an Ottawa grocery store.

This summer, we started a cooking program. It was initially aimed at young people but several adults participated as well.

They learned how to shop on a budget, navigate their local grocery store and and cook with foods that were unfamiliar to them.

The program also gave participants an opportunity to meet new friends and practise their English. And do it while sharing a wonderful meal.

A successful transition
When Inga made Ottawa her home, she realized she had to make the transition to a new career as well.

Although she couldn't work as a psychologist, she was able to put her skills to good use. She found the help she needed with our Career Transitions program.

Inga created and leads a program called Maple Minds at CHEO, which uses mindfulness, yoga and relaxation to help manage chronic disease. The program also provides patients with plenty of tools to help deal with stress, pain and procedures such as needles.

Thank you for your feedback!
It has been one year since we successfully launched our monthly e-newsletter.

Starting this month, you’ll notice a few changes based on your thoughtful feedback. You've told us you want more news about why immigration matters and how newcomers are integrating into your community. You want to hear our opinion on the immigration news of the day.

We're happy to deliver you an e-newsletter that better suits your reading needs.

Don’t forget, if you enjoy what you read, forward it to a friend or share it on your social media.
Refugees need you today: Direct your United Way donation
Do you want to make an impact with your United Way donation this fall?

It's easy. Simply fill in "Catholic Centre for Immigrants Foundation" and our charitable number (891000747 RR0001) in the appropriate space on your United Way form.

When you support refugee families, you are helping them build new lives after fleeing war, poverty, violence and persecution. It's difficult to imagine what life was like for many refugees before Canada welcomed them.

Refugees are eager to give back to their community and will do so once we provide the support they need to settle and integrate into their new community.

When you give today, they will give back tomorrow.

Thank you!
CCI Foundation Fundraising Team
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on your social media feeds or with a friend!