The Newcomer Centre envisions a future where community members walk alongside newcomers, helping bridge their transition into Canadian society. To achieve this, the Centre serves as a key catalyst and leading collaborator, shaping the attitudes, behaviours, and practices of organizations and individuals to appreciate and embrace the diversity newcomers bring.
With four main locations in Edmonton downtown, 82nd Street, Mill Woods, and the C5 Hub at Clearview Rec Centre, the Newcomer Centre supports up to 17,000 newcomers annually from all over Canada. Their team of approximately 230 staff speak and provide services in over 50 languages.
To discuss the importance of culturally and spiritually relevant programing, we spoke with Abdullah Ahmed, Program Coordinator for Complex Cases (Youth and Children) in the Enhanced Settlement Workers in Schools Program.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Tell us about yourself and your organization!
My name is Abdullah Ahmed, and I have over 25 years of experience in the sector. I specialize in implementing projects at various levels, from large-scale initiatives to multi-agency collaborations that address complex challenges, with a focus on sustainable solutions for communities particularly children, youth, and newcomer families.
As the Program Coordinator of the Complex Cases Program, I oversee a team of 10 caseworkers, collaborate with service providers, and streamline services to ensure the safe and effective delivery of programs. Our work extends to public, Catholic, and charter schools, managing over 400 strategic partnerships. Additionally, I foster relationships with key partners, including YESS, to enhance program impact.
What kinds of support does the Newcomer Centre offer, and how do you see the impact of these programs?
The Newcomer Centre is a hub for newcomers, immigrants, and refugee families, providing holistic support to ease their transition into the community. Our services include settlement assistance, language programs, employment support, housing resources, and culturally responsive programs tailored to clients’ needs.
We deliver our services through a culturally informed approach, recognizing the backgrounds, pre- and post-migration challenges, and lived experiences of the communities we serve. This understanding allows us to connect individuals with the right resources, helping them navigate their transition and adapt to life in Canada.
Our goal is to collaborate with other service providers to integrate essential resources and enhance support for newcomers.
Like YESS, the Newcomer Centre has a long legacy in Edmonton. How do you continue to evolve to meet the needs of the community?
The Newcomer Centre has a long-standing legacy of excellence in service delivery and strong community partnerships. We take a strategic, responsive approach to the evolving needs of newcomers, particularly youth and families.
Our work begins with continuously assessing emerging challenges. By engaging with the community and leveraging trend-driven insights, we identify issues and bring them to sector leaders and service providers like YESS to ensure our programs remain relevant, inclusive, and impactful.
We also develop best practices using technology, enhancing processes, databases, and case management systems. As part of our evolution, we changed our name after 42 years to better reflect our transformation in meeting the diverse needs of newcomers. This strategic shift includes culturally responsive programs, mental health support, employment services, settlement, and therapeutic clinical supports.
Our holistic approach considers physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing for long-term success. By fostering cooperative partnerships, we empower newcomers, promote resilience, and build strong, connected communities, because no one succeeds alone.
How is cultural/spiritual wellbeing important to the overall wellness and success of people who access your programs? What is the ripple effect of providing culturally/spiritually relevant programming?
When newcomers arrive in Canada, they often face numerous challenges and barriers to accessing support and services. Both pre- and post-migration experiences, such as displacement, identity loss, and social isolation, can impact their well-being.
Culturally and spiritually relevant programing helps newcomers feel seen, heard, and valued, which is crucial for emotional resilience, mental health, and successful integration. Anchoring individuals in their cultural and spiritual identity fosters self-confidence and social connectedness.
These programs include supports for traditional practices, interfaith connections, and peer mentorship from shared backgrounds, providing opportunities to adapt to their new community. When people feel secure in their cultural identity, they are more engaged, economically active, and supportive of one another, strengthening social networks and community resilience. In short, culturally responsive support makes a profound difference in how newcomers thrive in Canada.
What is one thing you wish the community knew about people who access the Newcomer Centre?
I wish the community knew just how incredible and resilient the newcomers who access the Newcomer Centre, especially youth, truly are. I wish everyone could see their ambition and full potential. In our department, we work with individuals with high needs, and we recognize that no issue is too small or too big; it’s not about the size of the challenge, but the context for the client. Some clients have lived in Canada for 40 or even 50 years and still feel isolated, struggling to find a sense of belonging while navigating systemic barriers.
At the Newcomer Centre, we see firsthand that with the right support, whether through mentorship, education, mental health services, or community connections, newcomers can truly thrive. When given the opportunity, they unlock their full potential, not just for themselves but for the entire community.