YMCA in Nova Scotia expands program to help more immigrants

An immigration settlement program run by the YMCA has expanded its reach in Nova Scotia to include Port Hawkesbury and Kentville.

Y Reach has offices across the province from Sydney to Yarmouth, and has offered assistance to immigrants since 1991, according to Barbara Miller Nix, the YMCA's chief operating officer.  

A new staff person has been hired for both Kentville and Port Hawkesbury, she said, and will assume their positions in early May.

Working in partnership with other community groups and sponsors,  Y Reach has a wide-ranging mandate, Miller Nix said.

"To make sure the newest members of our communities have support, both in settling into their homes and making friends in the community," she said.

'Struggling with their immigration journey'

She added that the Y puts special emphasis on helping to integrate immigrant children into the school system and direct them into extracurricular programs where they can meet people.

English-language training for all age groups is another area where the Y is heavily involved with community partners.

Rob Martin, the Y Reach co-ordinator for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, said his centre in Sydney is helping people from 23 different nationalities.

"Quite often people are struggling with their immigration journey," said Martin.

He helps immigrants with various tasks, such as building a resumé, looking for work, or obtaining a drivers licence.

Finding a bicycle

He remembers the case of an immigrant from China, who came to work as a lab technician at the hospital in Sydney.

He did not have a car and was concerned to find the transit system did not run at all hours as it did back home, Martin said.  

"He asked me if I could help find him a bicycle," he laughed.

That turned out to be no problem as it was early summer, and he rode his bike to work every day. Later, Martin helped him find a car, and with the assistance of community partners was able to connect him with groups where he could pursue a social life.

As for the recent wave of Syrian refugees, Martin said except for a couple of cases, the private sponsors have been taking care of most aspects of the settlement process.

In the Halifax area, Miller Nix said the Y Reach program has been able to help about 800 Syrian refugees.