By Len Chan
The Centre For Newcomers in Calgary celebrated its 25th Anniversary on Oct. 8 with invited friends, supporters, past students and special guests including included Calgary Mayor, Naheed Nenshi, MLA’s Teresa Woo-Paw,Moe Amery and Dave Hancock.
The Centre for Newcomers was created to help immigrants by guiding them through a transitional period to adapt, learn English and to become more self-sufficient. The current location is ideal and close to the light rail transit line, many bus routes and several major malls.
The Centre offers a wide variety of programs administered by volunteers and also has day care facilities. To students/parents, regardless of where they are from, their educational level, age, or gender, the Centre is like a second home in Calgary, Programs are also supported by Citizenship and Immigration Canada as well as donations. A special donation of $50,000 was presented by RBC. Representing RBC was Denise Ludwig and Ali Esmail and accepting the cheque was the Centre’s Dylan Perera,Dale Taylor and Francis Boakye.
Many new immigrants, experience enormous changes including language, weather, customs, food, periodical homesickness and many often wonder if they made the right decision. The positive is often community and church support which is crucial as most immigrants tough it out for themselves and their children who otherwise may not be able to get a better education in their home country.
The Centre’s website is www.centrefornewcomers.ca
