Greetings and Welcome,
The success of the EX2 project, focused on the development of the peer leadership model, can be attributed to the dedicated efforts of a collaborative and skilled team. Comprising experienced professionals, including the Program Coordinator, Program Manager, Newcomer Peer Leaders (NPLs), and other key stakeholders, this team played a crucial role in bringing innovation and empowerment to the newcomer women in Nova Scotia.
In the following messages, you will hear directly from key contributors to the success of our community-driven initiative. The perspectives shared by our Executive Director, Program Manager, Program Coordinator, and Newcomer Peer Leaders provide valuable insights into the impact and progress of our programs.
These messages will help you understand how YWCA Halifax is helping newcomer women and families through the Experts by Experience (EX2) project. You'll get to see both the big picture and the everyday actions that make a difference. The messages highlight our dedication, what we've achieved, and our ongoing commitment to building a supportive community.
Miia Suokonautio
The fabric of our communities is made up of people helping people. Rarely is this more obvious than when someone arrives in Canada for the first time. Connecting with other newcomers who have learned the ropes, made professional connections, and figured out how to thrive in Canada can be a difference maker when you are just starting to plant roots.
The YWCA's Experts by Experience (EX2) demonstration project, funded by IRCC, capitalized on, well, the expertise of those with lived experience of migrating to Nova Scotia. Building knowledge, formalizing social networks, and establishing new pathways to settlement was especially important to newcomer women.
Newcomers already rely on peers to answer questions. EX2 built capacity among peer leaders to support others within informal networks, including those who may not otherwise access (or be eligible for) settlement services. A truly grassroots initiative, EX2 placed newcomer women at the centre of support for other newcomer women. In doing so, the project continued the longstanding tradition of the international YWCA movement; by women, for women, about women.
I'm proud of the work of the whole EX2 team and the many women who participated over the years. My hope is that other service providers, including YWCA's future offerings, employ the wisdom and knowledge shared here.
Lindsey MacIsaac
When I think about our work at YWCA Halifax I see our role as helping to guide the natural work and flow of community. It might sound a bit corny, but I see the community as a flowing river, and our role is to shift rocks that block up this flow, dig new routes for water to flow around barriers, and provide means to keep water clean and healthy. This is really the foundation the Experts by Experience project was built on.
Through our work we knew that newcomer women were very resourceful in connecting with one another to find the information needed for themselves and their families, both before they arrived in Canada, and then of course when they made their home here. And these same women quickly went on to share what they learned with the next families immigrating to Canada. In our project, we simply wanted to provide more resources for this already existing network.
There are two key factors that make this model successful. The first important piece is providing value to the expertise of peer leaders; this means through employment and wages, not only expressions of appreciation. Secondly, this model is successful because it allows for different ways of knowing and sharing, which allows peers to build invaluable relationships of trust with the folks they are working with.
I think the necessity for a program like this was made very evident during the early days of the pandemic. Peer Leaders were able to provide direct support as well as accurate and appropriate information to vulnerable, scared, and often isolated newcomer women. I sincerely do not know how we would have been able to provide support to so many people in our community without our EX2 program and the Peer Leaders.
My hope is that this project will provide tools and best practices for other organizations, and even other programs at YWCA Halifax, to expand our range of peer-based programming. I think what we have demonstrated is the need to highly value this type of expertise and that more resources need to be put towards this type of flexible, semi-formal type of sharing, learning and building community.
I would love the participants of EX2 to become Peer Leaders themselves!
Sherrian Garcia
The Newcomer Peer Leadership Model was a special way of helping each other. It used a "peer-to-peer" method where newcomer women became leaders for other newcomer women. The main goal was to see if newcomer women could do a better job helping their friends, and if they could, to find out why. I got to see how the project grew and how it made a big difference for everyone involved.
Usually, people think those who need help are always a problem or always need fixing. But in our project, we purposely didn't see newcomer women this way. We believed they were already capable and complete, even before joining the project. This unique way of thinking challenged traditional ideas and brought new ideas to the project, making a lasting impact on the women and the whole community. Changing our way of thinking from focusing on problems to recognizing the strengths and completeness of newcomer women played a huge role in the project's success. It wasn't just about helping individuals; it was about making the whole community better by valuing each person for who they are.
This project was really important because it not only helped the newcomer women become leaders but also changed how people see those who need help. It had a positive impact on our organization, making it more inclusive and innovative. The newcomer peer leaders and participants learned and grew, and the whole community benefited from this new and positive way of thinking.
Elena Mehrjou
I am Elena and I come from Novosibirsk, Russia (Siberia), and have been living in Halifax with my husband for the past 5 years. I speak both native Russian and fluent English. For the last 3 years, I've been a part of the YWCA EX2 team, where my role involves helping newcomer women settle into life in Canada. I connect them with important resources and provide guidance on various topics such as mental and physical health, financial well-being, digital literacy, and more.
Working at the YWCA has been a journey of continuous learning, personal growth, and inspiration for me. I've gained valuable insights by assisting newcomer women of different ages and backgrounds who face various challenges. Throughout my time with the YWCA, my primary goal has been to make the transition from their home countries to Canada a smooth process. I want them to feel supported and encouraged during this significant life change.
Dheepam Premanand
I'm Dheepam, originally from India, and I moved to Canada with my family three and a half years ago in January 2018. I speak English, as well as two other native languages from India—Tamil and Hindi. When I first arrived in Canada, everything felt entirely new— the place, the practices, the culture, and the climate. It was like entering a completely different world that was both overwhelming and exciting.
The process of settling down after moving here was complex and challenging, leaving me feeling a bit overwhelmed. Looking back, I wish I had a few friends to help me through it and guide me along the way. When the chance to join EX2 came up, where I could go out and assist other immigrant women in finding their place in this country and building the foundations for their new life, I was thrilled and embraced the opportunity.
Working with these women opened my eyes to their experiences, and their challenges were humbling. Some needed specific help, while others faced difficulties from the start due to language barriers. I wanted them to know they weren't alone. While new beginnings might be daunting and unpredictable, they also bring new opportunities and a chance for a better life that many of these women had longed for.
Being able to help these women and guide them, offering the support I wished I had when I was new to Canada, was incredibly satisfying. I'm grateful to the YWCA for providing me with this wonderful opportunity to make their lives a little bit easier.
Nenyo Kwasitsu
I'm Nenyo from Ghana. Before getting involved in this project, I didn't think of myself as a leader, even though others saw leadership qualities in me. However, as I engaged in the work, both within this project and through my involvement with other organizations, and as I helped people along the way, I started to see myself differently. The feedback I received from both colleagues and clients played a crucial role in shaping my perspective.
Now, I view myself as a leader. This shift in perception has given me the confidence to pursue greater opportunities without the fear of failure. The experiences, positive outcomes, and the acknowledgment of my leadership abilities have empowered me to aim for more significant achievements in my endeavors.
Marwa Kuri
I'm Marwa, a Palestinian Occupational Therapist, a mother, a reader, and multilingual. Three years ago, I moved to Nova Scotia with my husband and children. Currently, I am pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at Dalhousie University.
The Experts by Experience Program holds a unique significance for me as it fosters connections while cultivating a sense of belonging, self-discovery, and purpose. Through this program, women come together to share their experiences, such as missing our families, cultures, traditions, and the challenges faced in resettling. This shared understanding allows us to deeply connect and support each other on a profound level. The program goes beyond helping; it creates a supportive community where individuals with diverse backgrounds can relate to and empathize with one another's journeys.
Dayana Celis
I'm Dayana from Colombia. The EX2 program has been instrumental in providing numerous opportunities for both personal growth and professional development. Through this program, we gained valuable experience in conducting focus groups, measuring qualitative impact, and reporting our findings. Additionally, we delved into the intricate aspects of settlement services, immigration programs, and policies, gaining a comprehensive understanding of how federally funded programs operate.
In terms of professional development, I took a significant step by completing a certificate in Human Resources with the Department of Labour and Advanced Education. Additionally, I actively participated in the service provider aspect, enhancing my skills and knowledge in this field. The EX2 program has not only been a platform for personal and professional growth but has also equipped me with practical skills and insights that contribute to my continuous development.
Rachel Agwata
I am Rachel and I was born and raised in Kisii, Kenya. My first language is Ekegusii, spoken by the Abagusii people of Kenya. Kiswahili, the national language, is my second language, and English, introduced during colonization, is my third language. Additionally, I speak three other dialects.
I came to Canada in 2010 as an international student, completing my undergraduate degree in Development Studies at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish. Subsequently, in 2018, I earned a Master's degree in International Development from St. Mary's University in Halifax. As a Development Practitioner, I've actively engaged in community work in Africa and Nova Scotia.
I have been part of EX2 for a year and a few months, alongside working with other organizations in Nova Scotia focused on immigrant services, particularly in settlement and integration. Working as a community worker in EX2 has shown me the importance of providing information in a language that individuals are comfortable with and from someone with similar experiences.
On a personal level, interacting with participants has broadened my understanding of how individuals can grow remarkably when approached with the right support and understanding.