I arrived in Calgary, Alberta, in September 2024, welcomed not just by the promise of a fresh start but by a sharp, cheeky wind that seemed determined to introduce itself before autumn had even fully settled in. Getting my foreign credentials recognized felt like trying to convince a locked door that I was indeed holding the right key. My years of professional experience were suddenly under a microscope, and there were moments when I sensed that my accent and foreign work history were not being celebrated as much as they should be.

Housing was one of the hardest challenges my family faced. The Calgary rental market felt impossible to navigate. Affordable listings disappeared within hours, landlords asked for Canadian credit history and references I did not yet have, and every rejection increased my fear of how I would keep a safe and stable home for my three children. At the same time, I was adjusting to a completely different climate and way of life. One brisk October morning, I proudly stepped outside in what I thought was proper winter clothing, only to run back inside within seconds. My face said, “I’m ready for winter,” but my body whispered, “You’ve made a terrible mistake.”

Beyond the laughs, there were heavier challenges: language confidence in new situations, social isolation far from family, and financial strain while caring for my daughter, 7, and my boys, 1 and 3. It was during this overwhelming period that someone introduced me to the Centre for Newcomers.

The Centre for Newcomers quickly became my anchor in Calgary. More than anything, they helped stabilize our housing situation during a time when I felt deeply uncertain and overwhelmed. They guided me through affordable housing systems, connected me to housing initiatives and supports, explained programs I did not know existed, and helped me navigate applications, benefits, and resources that reduced pressure on my family. They also connected us to the Free Goods Program, where we received gently used furniture, beds, kitchen items, and household essentials that transformed our apartment into a real home. What once felt temporary and unstable slowly became a place of comfort, dignity, and safety for my children.

CFN also supported us with food security resources, family benefits applications, financial literacy support, employability programs, Fair Entry passes, and mental health services during some of the most difficult moments of transition. Through their guidance, I enrolled my daughter in a Calgary Catholic School District program that reflected our values and helped access subsidized daycare for my toddlers, which brought enormous relief to our household budget.

What touched me most was that, despite our financial challenges, my children never felt excluded. Through the Fair Entry program and community supports, they were able to participate in swimming lessons, recreation, and activities that allowed them to make friends and feel included. It was not just about programs; it was about dignity, belonging, and hope.

One thing that struck me about Calgary is how much people give of themselves: time, skills, and kindness, regardless of what they are personally going through. Inspired by the support my family received, I began volunteering at the Calgary Food Bank, while my husband helped distribute relief items to people experiencing homelessness. Giving back helped us feel connected to the city and reminded us that community is built through care for one another.

Thanks to the Centre for Newcomers, Onward Homes, the Free Goods Program, the Calgary Food Bank, the City of Calgary’s Fair Entry program, and the kindness of strangers, my family and I are no longer just surviving. We are building a stable life, a safe home, and a future in Calgary. Even in the coldest winters, we found warmth in community. My daughter now says with confidence, “I can have big dreams too, and I will never give up on them.”