April 19 – 25 is National Volunteer Week and we want to applaud our volunteers! Dedicated, passionate, generous, helpful. These are only a handful of words to describe the people who walk through our doors every day – or connect via phone and online as we work from home – … Read more
Today we celebrate International Volunteer Day, a time to recognize the contributions that volunteers make to help build a community where all can belong and grow. This year’s theme, chosen by United Nations Volunteers, is “Volunteer for an inclusive future.” According to their website, the theme aims to highlight “Social … Read more
John Deans was lying on the couch one day in 2015 when he heard an appeal on the radio for volunteers to help resettle Syrian refugees. “I’d never done anything like this,” he says. “I immediately called the 211 number, thinking I’d just help out a bit.” John was assigned … Read more
Mentors played a huge role in helping Roshanak Sadeghi-Zadeh settle in Canada, and now she is assisting others by being a mentor and practice interviewer at ISANS. “Mentors really impacted my life,” says Roshanak. “They empowered me to find my way in this big scary new world when I first … Read more
Highly regarded Halifax physician Margaret Casey shares her medical expertise as an ISANS volunteer with International Medical Graduates (IMGs). Retired from active practice for 13 years, Margaret works with newcomers, helping them get licensed to practice in Nova Scotia. “I love talking about medicine but, more importantly, it’s been very … Read more
From the insecurity of life in Iraq, to becoming a volunteer with Feed Nova Scotia, Ali Al-Khazaali’s journey through life has taken many different turns. Ali arrived in Nova Scotia in October 2017 with his wife, Aster, and twin seven-year-old boys, Ezzuilden and Mohammed. They had fled Iraq a few … Read more
Caroline Blair-Smith has been a mentor to many through our Professional Mentorship Program. She has been volunteering with our Practice Interview Program for more than 10 years and has been instrumental in helping newcomers navigate government job interviews. We asked Caroline to tell us a bit about about why she … Read more
Cindy Hirtle has been volunteering as an EAL tutor for twenty years! Thank you, Cindy, for your continued commitment to creating a welcoming community and for giving your time and energy. We asked Cindy to tell us a bit about her experience: “I first volunteered as an English tutor over … Read more
We asked Paul MacDonald, classroom assistant extraordinaire, about the benefits of volunteering. Paul shares some of the reasons you can find him three afternoons a week in a language classroom. “Retirees have unique skills they bring to the workforce and volunteer positions – skills that only a lifetime of experience … Read more
Gillian Power is a volunteer in our Community Connections program, and has been matched with a family to help them integrate and settle in Halifax. “I retired the same month the (Syrian) refugees arrived and just wanted to help. I helped with meals and outings through the refugee centre and … Read more
Neema Mwaungulu has been a volunteer EAL tutor and Conversation Circle Facilitator and shared what volunteering means to her. Why did you volunteer at ISANS? “I became familiar with ISANS through the ICE Program – a pilot career development program catered for International Students at Saint Mary’s University. Originally from … Read more
We are very lucky to have volunteers like Sue Rosson who contribute their considerable expertise and skills, connections and time to ISANS. Sue provides practice interviews for immigrant professionals who are have high stakes job and admission interviews. She has helped many professionals successfully navigate provincial and federal government interviews, … Read more