Centre for Newcomers

08/28/2026

🏀🍦🎶 Basketball, ice cream, music, games, and giving back — the perfect way to kick off another school year! 🎒✨

CFN’s 4th Annual Youth Basketball Tournament brought together youth, families, community partners, local businesses, and supporters from across Greater Forest Lawn for an unforgettable day filled with connection, celebration, and community spirit! 🙌🏽

In partnership with the City of Calgary – Your Local Government Sports Hub, we were thrilled to host this year’s tournament at the Bob Bahan Aquatic Centre. From basketball action to free open swim, the Sports Hub helped create even more opportunities for youth and families to stay active, have fun, and build confidence in and out of the gym! 🏊🏽‍♀️🏀

Made possible through the Good Places Foundation Fund, this grassroots event showcased local small businesses, youth-focused activities, and community partners — including The Bridge Catering — all coming together to create a day by the community, for the community. 💙

A huge shoutout to Righteous Gelato for keeping everyone cool with delicious vegan and dairy-free treats! 🍨😋 And thank you to DJ Frvnz for bringing the beats and keeping the energy high all day long! 🎧🔥

The celebration didn’t stop at the court. As part of our second year supporting returning students, nearly 500 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed to youth throughout Greater Forest Lawn — helping local students start the school year feeling supported, prepared, and ready to learn📚🎒

Special thanks to MLA Lizette Tejada for generously donating backpacks and school supplies for local youth, and heartfelt appreciation to Councillor for Ward 9 Harrison Clark’s Community Fund for helping make this celebration so special for youth and families💛

This is what community looks like: showing up, creating opportunities, and reminding young people that they belong🫶🏽✨

Want to learn more or get involved? Explore: www.centrefornewcomers.ca | Donate: www.centrefornewcomers.ca/donate | Volunteer: www.centrefornewcomers.ca/volunteer |

08/27/2026

As another YYC summer slowly begins to wind own with some amazing weather, why I stay inside? Not a chance🏔️🛶 Just an hour south of Calgary, it’s hard to believe that views like this are right in our own backyard. We’re so incredibly lucky to have this kind of adventure—and serenity—just a short drive away. Sometimes the best escape is closer than we think🌲☀️

08/27/2026

Art Rising / Epoxy was an amazing creative experience🎨✨ CFN’s Real ME Youth Program brought artistic expression to life through this hands-on program! Youth explored epoxy art and different artistic techniques while creating their own unique masterpieces🖌️ Participants learned how to use materials safely, practiced patience and planning, and strengthened their problem-solving skills—all while building confidence and expressing themselves creatively. It was a fun, supportive space where youth learned, created, shared ideas, and let their creativity shine 🌟🧡

Want to learn more or get involved? Explore: www.centrefornewcomers.ca | Donate: www.centrefornewcomers.ca/donate | Volunteer: www.centrefornewcomers.ca/volunteer |

08/26/2026

🚗⛽ Kensington Road, Calgary — 1965. Back when a trip to the gas station was more than a quick tap of a card and a self-serve fill-up. You’d pull in beneath the bright yellow canopy, get your tank topped up, your oil checked, and maybe even have the air filter inspected—all while exchanging a few words with the attendant.

Gas was 8¢ per litre, the cars were chrome-heavy, the traffic lights hung overhead, and “going online” meant… well, nothing yet! No smartphones, GPS, drive-thrus, or convenience-store coffee runs—just a Sunday drive, a friendly service station, and plenty of open sky.

Today, Kensington Road is busier and Calgary is bigger, but the spirit of the neighbourhood lives on. ❤️

08/26/2026

CFN's Real ME Family Fun Day was an incredible success 🥳 Children and families came together for an unforgettable day filled with laughter, excitement, and plenty of fun! From energetic games and sports to exciting outdoor activities, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

The kids stepped outside their comfort zones, tried new activities, built confidence, and made wonderful new friends along the way💪🌟 Best of all, families created happy memories together while enjoying quality time in the community👨‍👩‍👧‍👦💛

A huge thank-you to everyone who joined us and helped make Family Fun Day such a joyful and memorable event We can’t wait for the next one✨

Like to get involved? Explore: www.centrefornewcomers.ca | Donate: www.centrefornewcomers.ca/donate | Volunteer: www.centrefornewcomers.ca/volunteer |

08/25/2026

Build a stronger financial future with CFN and Aspire Calgary🤝💰

Our multilingual financial coaches offer education and one-on-one support in budgeting, banking, credit, savings, benefits, and RESP enrolment.

The program includes:

✅ Financial education and coaching
✅ Matched savings—eligible clients can receive 3× their savings, up to $50/month for six months
✅ Tax clinics in March and April through CRA’s CVITP
✅ RESP support and access to the Canada Learning Bond

Attend at least three sessions and receive a gift card! 🎁

Learn more and take the next step toward greater financial well-being.🌟 For more information visit www.centrefornewcomers.ca/lifeincanada

08/25/2026

If you ask a Canadian how far away something is, you’ll usually get an answer in hours. It’s just the Canadian way🍁🚗

In Canada, the road is our second home. We treat a 5-hour drive the way most people treat a trip to the grocery store—it’s just a "quick run" to see a friend or hit a new trail.

Here is why Canada is basically the capital of the long road trip:

The "Time" Metric: If you ask a Canadian, "How far is it?" and they say "Oh, it's about 3 hours," they mean 3 hours of highway bliss. Kilometres are just a technicality found on road signs; our brains are hard-wired for travel time.

The "5-Hour Nothing" Rule: A 5-hour drive is standard weekend energy. You grab a coffee, pick a playlist, and suddenly you’re in another province or three cities over. It’s not a chore; it’s just Tuesday.

The Scenery Tax: We drive because we have to, but also because the view is worth it. Whether it's the Rockies, the prairies, or the winding roads of the Maritimes, we’ve got the best "windshield cinema" in the world.

So, next time a Canadian tells you their destination is "just a short 6-hour drive away," don't be alarmed. They’re just getting started!

08/24/2026

For the first time, the Centre for Newcomers (CFN) proudly hosted the CFN Inaugural Trades Summit, with the valued support of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce

The Summit brought together employers, industry leaders, workforce development organizations, training providers, government representatives, and aspiring trades professionals for an inspiring day focused on strengthening Alberta’s skilled trades workforce and creating meaningful pathways to employment.

The event opened with a Roundtable Discussion featuring 28 construction industry employers, associations, and unions. Led by Dr. Nketti Johnston-Taylor, CEO of the Centre for Newcomers, the conversation focused on labour market trends, workforce shortages, newcomer integration, and opportunities for stronger collaboration across sectors.

Nearly 100 attendees then took part in the Panel Discussion, gaining valuable insights into skilled trades careers, apprenticeship opportunities, industry trends, employer expectations, and pathways to long-term success in Alberta’s construction and trades sector.

A sincere thank you to our distinguished panelists:

Jeff Bailey, Education Coordinator, Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta
Glen Greep, President, Variety Electric
David Peard, Academic Chair, SAIT
Felix Mbella, CFN trades program graduate and Second-Year Apprentice Insulator

The afternoon Trades Job Fair welcomed more than 150 job seekers, connecting them directly with employers and providing opportunities to explore current openings, discover in-demand careers, and take the next step toward success in construction and the skilled trades.

Employers on site included:

Enning Blinds
Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta
Mainstreet Equity
Diversified Staffing Services
Refined Group of Companies
RM Solar

We are deeply grateful to the Alberta Chambers of Commerce for their partnership and support, and extend a special thank you to Mainstreet Equity for supporting the Summit as a Community Partner.

Together, we are building stronger partnerships, expanding opportunity, and helping shape a more inclusive and skilled workforce for Alberta’s future. We look forward to continuing these important conversations and turning them into lasting impact for employers, newcomers, and job seekers alike.

Ready to get involved? Explore: www.centrefornewcomers.ca | Donate: www.centrefornewcomers.ca/donate | Volunteer: www.centrefornewcomers.ca/volunteer |

08/24/2026

🎉 Games, music and connection at Heritage Park! 🎶 Our Centre for Newcomers team recently stepped away from our desks for a fun-filled all-staff gathering at Calgary’s historic Heritage Park. With games, laughter, music and meaningful connection, it was the perfect reminder of what makes our team so special💙

Heritage Park celebrates the many stories, people and cultures that helped shape Calgary—and in many ways, that reflects the journey of immigration. Just as newcomers bring their histories, traditions and talents to help build our city’s future, each new chapter adds richness and strength to the community we all share🌎✨

The work we do matters. Every day, our incredible staff support newcomers as they build lives, find belonging and contribute to Calgary. We’re proud of the difference we make—and even prouder to do it together! 🤝

Here’s to a fun day, a fantastic team and the meaningful work ahead! 📸💫

Explore: www.centrefornewcomers.ca | Donate: www.centrefornewcomers.ca/donate | Volunteer: www.centrefornewcomers.ca/volunteer |

08/19/2026

Thinking about a career in trades or seeking your next opportunity? Join us for CFN’s Inaugural Trades Summit, a game-changing event for employers, industry leaders, and newcomers, this Friday, 🗓️ August 21, 2026 at the Centre for Newcomers. 🔗Register now to secure your spot at https://fairs.withe.co/fair/fair_pcuR1uCISyDZzi

This isn’t just another networking day. It’s a chance to address entry barriers, tackle labour shortages, bridge training gaps, and build a stronger, more inclusive workforce. Employers will have the chance to connect with hundreds of driven jobseekers, discover fresh talent, and share their hiring needs.

What’s in store?
💡 Industry insights
🤝 High-energy networking
💼 Trades Job Fair and on-the-spot hiring conversations

Let’s come together to spark new possibilities, grow our community, and power the trades sector forward.

Join us for the CFN Inaugural Trades Summit & Job Fair hosted by Centre for Newcomers in partnership with the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, with support from the Government of Alberta.