News
Syrian effort honoured
Catholic Centre for Immigrants (CCI) Executive Director Carl Nicholson was part of a group that received the United Way Community Builder of the Year Award. At a ceremony at City Hall on March 2, the Ottawa Syrian Refugee Response Leaders’ Coalition was honoured for...
Tax clinics for newcomers
Newcomers to Ottawa might think there are only four seasons in Ottawa – winter, summer, spring and fall. But we know there is a fifth season. We call it tax season. Navigating your way through the Canadian tax code can be confusing at times if you don't have a lot of...
Family counting their blessings
When the Alsaghir family arrived in Ottawa a little more than a year ago, they were faced with many challenges. They came with one bag each of belongings, they didn't speak English or French, the weather was brutally cold and they were living in a hotel room. But they...
CCI offers training to transition
Moving to a new country can be a daunting task. Some people decide to come to Canada because they want to explore new opportunities. For others, it’s a safe haven from poverty or war. Finding a place to live and a job are two of the most pressing needs most...
In Memoriam: Lucya Spencer
Lucya Spencer, a pioneer in providing services to immigrant women and children, passed away after a brief illness on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Ms. Spencer, the former executive director and co-founder of the Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO), was an outstanding leader...
Syrians join concert for peace
Several Syrian children took part in a concert featuring Thirteen Strings and soprano Miriam Khalil. It was billed as a concert for peace. The concert, held at Dominion-Chalmers United Church, was an opportunity to recognize and include Syrian refugee families who...
Career help provided online
When Mehul Patel decided he wanted to come to Canada to find work, he knew he needed to learn about the Canadian business environment. That’s where the Settlement Online Pre-Arrival program helped. It’s a program provided in cooperation by the Catholic Centre for...
It is the best ‘job’ I have ever had!
(Photo left to right: Kim Davison, Kadijah, Wafaa Aun, and Nadia Almeshal) “Remember the words ‘snow storm!’ When you hear these words you know that it will be very cold and that the snow will slow everything down and there might not be any school buses…” This...
UN Secretary General visits CCI
“A once in a lifetime opportunity.” That’s how CCI Executive Director Carl Nicholson characterized the informal visit of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to the Catholic Centre for Immigrants on Thursday, February 11. Seven Syrian refugee families who had...
This person made me feel at home
“When we first arrived, we didn’t know what to do and Tara helped us.” “Tara is the best thing that happened to me and my children. She is always there for everybody.” These are a few of the comments from people who nominated Tara Alani, CCI Ottawa staffer...