YMCA Newcomer Connections will host a Citizenship Reaffirmation Ceremony Saint John, NB — On Thursday, May 25, during Citizenship Week, the YMCA of Greater Saint John’s Newcomer Connections is hosting a Citizenship Reaffirmation Ceremony to celebrate all newcomers who completed a huge milestone in their settlement journey by becoming a Canadian Citizen. “We are thrilled to celebrate all newcomers in our community who have become Canadian Citizens and are now supporting others in their settlement journey,” said Shilo Boucher, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Saint John. “Many newcomers strive to become members of the Canadian family because they see Canada as a welcoming society that embraces diversity. For many, citizenship is the realization of a dream and can mark the beginning of a new life. As part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, most YMCA Newcomer Connections clients receiving their Canadian citizenship attended an [...]

Atlantic Canada YMCAs join together to give 1,000 kids the Gift of Camp [Saint John, New Brunswick] – YMCAs across Atlantic Canada are kicking off the Give the Gift of Camp Campaign in a joint effort to send 1,000 kids to YMCA Summer Camp. One of many things that YMCAs across Atlantic Canada have in common is summer camp for children and youth. Though each may look a bit different, the YMCA camp experience is about offering exciting and safe environments for campers to learn, grow, and lead. From April 20 to May 19, 2023, the YMCAs in Atlantic Canada will work together to raise $200,000 under this campaign. The Y recognizes the challenges each of our communities’ face. During the pandemic, children and youth were isolated at a critical time in their development, robbing them of foundational learning experiences like making friends, trying something new, working as [...]

Three organizations in Greater Saint John awarded for being the Newcomer Employment Champions Saint John, NB — The YMCA of Greater Saint John’s Newcomer Connections hosted the first-ever Newcomer Employment Champions [NEC] Gala on Thursday, March 30, at the Delta Hotels by Marriott, Saint John. Over 80 representatives from 37 organizations attended the [NEC] Gala to celebrate the employers who took a step beyond the Intercultural Competency Training to support newcomers to grow and thrive in their organizations, thus becoming an employer of choice for newcomers. “The growth in diversity we’ve seen in our region over the last few years wouldn’t be possible without settlement agencies, multicultural associations, volunteers and community groups that have stepped up to help,” said Arlene Dunn, Minister Responsible for Immigration. “Helping newcomers navigate life in a new place and making them feel like they belong is no small feat. Saint John’s friendliness and [...]