The Centre for Newcomers (CFN) has been a key resource for immigrants and refugees of all nationalities in Calgary for more than 35 years. We had a talk with David Anthony Hohol, Director of Communications, to learn more about their work.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Since 1988 the Centre for Newcomers (CFN) has been a key resource for immigrants and refugees of all nationalities in Calgary. A social profit organization, CFN views the integration of newcomers as a two-way process of experience, influence, and impact between newcomers and the communities that welcome them.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Our mission is to support newcomers and the receiving community to become diverse and united through services and initiatives that create conditions of success for newcomers and that foster a welcoming environment in Calgary. Our vision is a community that values diversity, in which people of all backgrounds find and create opportunities to fulfill dreams and participate fully as citizens.
When did you start/join it?
I joined the CFN team in 2016
What made you want to get involved?
I wanted to get involved because I saw an organization with potential for impact and growth.
What was the situation like when you started?
It had a solid base, but there was room for improvement.
How has it changed since?
We have more than doubled in size in terms of staff, building location, clients served, and annual revenue.
What more needs to be done?
A very important thing that needs to be done is to remove barriers to credentialed immigrants who are skilled but cannot work their chosen career paths due to restrictions. We don’t need doctors driving taxis anymore!
How can our readers help?
If you want to help you can always check any of the various volunteer opportunities, or you can also donate through our website.
Do you have any events coming up?
After a three-year pandemic pause, CFN’s annual fundraiser is back on May 27th.
You can get tickets here.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
