Helping all newcomers
realize their full potential

Catholic Centre for Immigrants – Ottawa

Living the Canadian dream

By Claudine Nduwimana Douaa remembers her life as a refugee in Lebanon. She was working in a grocery store to help support her family, her dream of going to university put on hold. Now, less than three years later, Douaa is a first-year student at Carleton...

Newcomer took on new challenges

By Shabana Ansari Diana Kinimah loves a good challenge. “I am not afraid to try new things and explore all my options, especially when life gets tough and spirals out of control” she says. In 2011, Diana came to Canada from her native Ghana in the pursuit of a better...

Services help newcomers settle

By Shabana Ansari Mitra Ghaffari arrived in Canada six years ago with nothing but a post-graduate degree in English and a strong belief in Canada’s liberal and inclusive culture. Living at a women’s shelter and completely on her own in a new country where she...

A more welcoming community

The following is a message from CCI Executive Director Carl Nicholson that appeared in our 2017-2018 annual report.By its definition, an annual report is a snapshot of the work we have done over the course of a year. That’s what you’ll find in this year’s edition.But...

Building a new life in Ottawa

By Shabana Ansari Ranjith Mathew has played several roles in his professional life – legal advisor, marketeer, entrepreneur, teacher, career counsellor and social worker. However, he insists that he is a “life-long learner” who is constantly picking up new skills and...

Youth team wins Ottawa Youth Race

Two times was the charm as the Catholic Centre for Immigrants Ottawa youth team claimed victory in the annual Ottawa Youth race. This is the second year in a row CCI has captured the trophy. The race took place in late October. The Ottawa Youth Race is about helping...

SYRIAN REFUGEES