A Night of Learning and Community Empowerment

On January 17, CentreCanada was honoured to host members of the United Sudanese Community Association at our Burnaby office for an evening focused on supporting newcomers through learning, dialogue, and community connection.

The event brought together newcomers and community leaders for a practical discussion about settling in Canada. The evening covered important topics such as employment opportunities, language learning, and the common challenges newcomers face when arriving in a new country.

Abdulgabar Abker, a leader within the United Sudanese Community Association, shared his thoughts about the evening and described it as a very positive and productive night with CentreCanada. He highlighted how valuable it was for community members to learn about life in Canada, particularly how to find work and begin learning a new language.

Moussa Adam, Director of the United Sudanese Community Association, delivered a presentation focused on youth and newly arrived community members. He emphasized that newcomers do not need to speak perfect English to start working. As long as individuals have skills, there are many job opportunities available, and taking the first step is often the most important part of the settlement journey.

Moussa also expressed appreciation for the information shared by CentreCanada, noting that several resources and opportunities, including available grants and programs, were new to their community. Learning about the activities delivered at the centre and the work accomplished over the past year was both informative and encouraging for their organization.

A representative from CentreCanada Newcomer Services Society also shared best practices for running and growing a non profit organization. This part of the discussion was especially meaningful for the United Sudanese Community Association as a developing organization looking to strengthen its impact.

The evening concluded with sincere gratitude from the United Sudanese Community Association for CentreCanada opening its doors and creating a space for collaboration. The event was described as an important opportunity for newcomers to improve language skills, explore employment pathways, and better understand available community resources.

This gathering demonstrated the value of community led initiatives and strong partnerships in supporting newcomers as they build their lives in Canada.