The New Canadians Centre (NCC), which welcomes Canadian newcomers to the Peterborough and Northumberland areas, is celebrating its 45th anniversary with a windfall of more than $93,000.
As a result of its 45th anniversary fundraising campaign — through which the organization strived to raise $45,000 — “with your generous support, we raised $48,507,” wrote Andy Cragg, NCC’s executive director, in a recent email announcement.
“Because your donation was matched up to $45,000 by an anonymous donor, you actually raised $93,507.”
“We are so grateful that you have helped us to kick off our 45th anniversary celebration in such a meaningful way,” Cragg added. “This is a big boost that will help us to deliver crucial programs and services to newcomers to Canada.”
Over the past year, the NCC has welcomed more than 2,000 people from more than 100 countries who immigrated to the Peterborough and Northumberland areas — a 50 per cent increase from the previous year and the highest number in its 45-year history.
To mark that anniversary, the non-profit organization kicked off the #45for45 donation campaign in June.
With its fundraising goal accomplished, the NCC will continue to use the donations to provide its programs and services that welcome and support newcomers.
The organization offers services to immigrants and refugees, along with multicultural programming that is open to the broader community. One of the newest NCC services is its life skills program, which aims to equip recent newcomers who need extra support with additional tools.
Overall, NCC strives to empower those who are new to the country, so they can be recognized as equal and valued members of Canadian society, and provide leadership to cultivate newcomers’ meaningful economic, social, and cultural inclusion in local communities. Core programs and services connect newcomers to each other and to the community.
The NCC was born in 1979 when a modest group of community members sponsored the arrival of Vietnamese refugees.
The non-profit organization’s goal is to create an environment where people who are new to Canada are valued, which it strives to accomplish by raising awareness of newcomers’ positive contributions and breaking down barriers to their equitable access and participation.
For more information about the New Canadians Centre, visit nccpeterborough.ca.
