Why Ren volunteers

Why Ren volunteers

I believe that whatever I have is God’s gift to me, and that whatever good that I do is my gift to God and to my fellow men. I came across the Catholic Centre for Immigrants on social media. There I learned that the centre is committed to helping newcomers, most...
Just like sisters after 10 months

Just like sisters after 10 months

Eleanor and Amira are sisters. But they only met 10 months ago. Eleanor, a volunteer with the Catholic Centre for Immigrants, met Amira through the Matching Program shortly after Amira moved to Ottawa from Damascus, Syria. In Damascus, she had been a director of...
We appreciate volunteers like Ria

We appreciate volunteers like Ria

Volunteers make up the backbone of the work we do. Last year, more than 1,300 volunteers and sponsors helped the Catholic Centre for Immigrants deliver programs and services to more than 6,500 newcomers to Ottawa. Volunteers help newcomers learn a language, access...
Volunteer just like family member

Volunteer just like family member

In Turkish culture, the term “teyze” mean an incredible aunt, sort of a half-mother. After Omer Livvarcin moved from Turkey to Ottawa in September 2016 with his spouse and two sons, little did he know he would find a “teyze” in the form of Murielle Lemay. “We first...
Welcome Groups to help refugees

Welcome Groups to help refugees

Getting settled in a new country is easier when you have friends. The Catholic Centre for Immigrants (CCI) has partnered with Together Project and COSTI Immigrant Services to invite volunteers to form Welcome Groups. These groups will be matched with...