Celebrating Community and Culture
A decade of supporting diversity in Unama’ki – Cape Breton as New Dawn Newcomer Centre marks its tenth anniversary with community barbecue
June 30, 2026 marked ten years of settlement services at New Dawn. The Cape Breton Island Centre for Immigration, now known as the New Dawn Newcomer Centre, opened its doors amid the Syrian refugee crisis with just two staff and a few dozen clients a year.
Today, the Newcomer Centre has seven full-time staff who collectively speak seven languages to meet the needs of the diverse clients they serve. The Centre helps newcomers navigate systems such as healthcare, public school systems, transportation, and assist with skills and opportunities such as financial literacy, employment, volunteer opportunities, and recreation, while providing connections to ethnocultural groups, community organizations, faith communities, and creating spaces where newcomers feel welcome.
“What the Newcomer Centre team has built, sustained, and grown over the last ten years has changed the lives of thousands for the better,” says New Dawn’s President and CEO, Erika Shea. “There are so many things to mark and be proud of today, but for me, at the very top of the list, is the invitation you extend in everything you do for all of us to change and grow along with the changing demographics of our community.”
Rebecca MacDonald, the International Student Settlement Program Team Lead and recently licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), joined the staff at the Centre in 2021.
“I never knew what a life-changing decision it would be. The absolute highlight of my role has been the many incredible and inspiring newcomers I’ve met along the way. We have supported so many people through both challenging and joyful moments and helped many put down roots here on our island,” MacDonald says. “After 10 years, the most impactful part of our work for me has been the many friendships that have formed across community organizations, with clients, and within our team. I hope that we can continue building relationships for another 10 years.”
The sense of community that has been built by the Newcomer Centre could be felt at the 10th Anniversary Barbecue Celebration on the grounds of the Eltuek Arts Centre, which gathered past and present staff, clients, families and friends for cultural performances, speeches, food, and lots of laughter and hugs. A photo display looked back over the past ten years of memories.
“Celebrating a decade doing this work is so humbling for me. While reflecting on it I feel fortunate to have been involved in the journeys of hundreds of people I have met along the way. I have learned so much about myself, this work, the world, and people,” says Nadine Paruch, Manager of the Newcomer Centre. “Newcomer clients often thank me for the support and work my team does. I thank them right back. The impact they have made on me, my life and perspectives are such a gift. An entire decade later and I am still in awe and feel so inspired by people I have just met. Every single day.”
Since 2016, the Newcomer Centre has supported well over 5000 international students, conducted over 60 employment tours, hosted over 100 employment workshops, supported almost 50 people to become new Canadians, supported more than 400 people to obtain permanent residency, and completed over 1400 Atlantic Immigration Program settlement plans.
Today, the New Dawn Newcomer Centre continues to demonstrate that welcoming newcomers strengthens our entire community. Here’s to the next decade of building connections, creating opportunities, and helping people from around the world find a place to belong in Unama’ki-Cape Breton. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this remarkable journey and to all who joined us in celebrating this milestone.
