What makes you proud to live in Canada?

I’ve been thinking about that question lately. When I heard Maria’s story I found myself thinking about it in a different way.

She came to Peterborough from Mexico at 16, midway through high school and life as she knew it. She didn’t know the language or the customs. She barely knew anyone and friendships felt out of reach.

Then a staff member named Steve invited her to the NCC’s youth program. She started showing up every week.

“I could just be myself. We were all in the same situation. NCC was there as a support through everything.”

Something shifted. Maria fell in love with volunteering. She volunteered over 300 hours in high school and earned a scholarship for her service.

Today, Maria helps create that same sense of belonging as a Case Management Worker at the NCC.

Maria sees her younger self in every client who walks through the door. One client, a single mother of four with significant trauma, is now employed, confident, and surrounded by friends.

“Every time I see a client, I see myself. I see people in my community having gone through the same experiences. This is work that I love.”

Maria’s story is still being written! And so are the stories of newcomers walking through the NCC’s doors every day.

The journey from isolated newcomer to community builder is what your gift makes possible.

Language classes. Employment support. Youth programs. Help with the thousand small things (like a bus route, a phone plan, or a form to fill out) that feel enormous when you’re new to Canada.

Practical help, wrapped in kindness – that’s the NCC.

Government funding isn’t going as far as it once did. Community support has never mattered more.

Every dollar you give helps newcomers in Peterborough, Northumberland, and the City of Kawartha Lakes find their footing and find their place in our community.

Thank you for being part of what makes Canada a place to be proud of.

Warm regards,

Katelyn Rothenbush - Director of Fundraising & Communications