Last month was the National Volunteer Week in Canada. We were very excited and honored to be celebrating our volunteers and their successes. Volunteers are the heart of our community and at the Centre for Skills they are certainly front and centre for many who need their support. From assisting newcomers in their efforts to learn English, to settling in and preparing for work in Canada, to hosting computer training workshops for all who want to improve their skills, our volunteers give generously of their time and expertise to make the future better and the journey a little easier for someone they have never met before.

At Centre for Skills Development, the health and safety of our clients and staff is our number one priority. As of April 2022, most of our locations are open to in-person service by appointment. In addition, we continue to provide services remotely as well. For the safety of all clients and staff, masks are still required on the premises.

Newcomers arrive in Canada every day. Canada aims to welcome 421,000 new permanent residents in 2023. Some are fleeing for their lives, some are re-uniting with their families, some come temporarily to work and some immigrate for business. No matter where they are from or how and why they came to Canada, newcomers all share a somewhat universal immigrant experience.  

Here’s a story about Katarzyna and her family's journey to calling Canada home.