Calgary Catholic Immigration Society

There was a moment this morning where the entire room paused.

Everyone gathered, leaned in, and smiled for one big group photo. And right after, the room came alive again. Conversations picked up instantly, people turned to each other, introductions started, and suddenly it felt a lot less like an event and more like a room full of people getting to know each other.

That moment really captured what our May Networking for Success Breakfast was about.
Not networking.
Connecting.

Catherine Brownlee’s keynote reminded us that it is not about collecting contacts, it is about being present, asking better questions, and actually caring about the person in front of you.

And through Bobby Bai’s story and presentation, “Opportunities Don’t Just Happen: How I Rebuilt My Career and Identity in Canada,” we saw what that looks like in real life. A journey shaped by resilience, persistence, and the kind of connections that can open new doors.

What stuck with many of us was simple. When you shift from “What can I get?” to “Who am I meeting?” everything changes.

To our incredible speakers, the BETS team, and our amazing volunteers, thank you for creating such a welcoming and energizing space.

And to everyone who joined us, thank you for bringing your openness and curiosity. You made it special.

Maybe it is not about networking more.

Maybe it is about connecting better.

Learn more about our BETS services: https://ccisab.ca/business-employment-and-training-services/

This is how we do it at CCIS!

The 2026 opening ceremony for the growing season of CCIS’s urban farming project, Land of Dreams, was made possible through the dedicated efforts of our Resettlement and Integration Services (RIS) team behind the scenes.

A lot of work goes into preparing a space like this. Leading up to the event, our team guided by our CEO Gordana Radan spent time moving materials, setting up, and cleaning and preparing the grounds to welcome community members. Their efforts helped shape a space that felt open, welcoming, and ready for the season ahead.

There were also moments of laughter and dancing along the way, reflecting the strong sense of connection and teamwork that carries through this work every day.

Their preparation played an important role in creating a successful opening and a space where community, culture, and new beginnings can grow.

Thank you to our RIS team for the care and energy they put into this work.
Bozana Sljuka, Fatima Mansouri, Daria Mora Mora, Mohd Rafi Wahaj, Johnathan Hung, Sajia Sherzai, Ayak Garang, Afu Ocbasilassie, Kbrom Dengts, Raneem Jarjour, Kheriya Khidir, Enrique Sobalvarro, dadkhuda pahlawan, Dakhil Zindan, Vanessa Graham, Mayil Sanchez Silva, Rouba Hammoud, Mohammad AL MAKSOUR, Mohamad Korsha, Hamayon Rasoli, Rahel Eyob, Fridah Mohammad Aslam, Sara Rahmati, Faiza Dalal, Muhamud Ali Hussein, Masoud Almahdy, Ban Selewa, Hozan Aljinko, Souad Lahmidi, Namatullah Towhidi, Semere Haile, Abdulrehim Abdulrebi, and Thomas Fikadu.

Learn more about Land of Dreams (LOD): https://ccisab.ca/land-of-dreams/

We’re Hiring!

CCIS is looking for passionate individuals to join our team and support newcomer communities in Southern Alberta.

👉 CRR Program Manager - Apply by June 12, 2026

Learn more and apply here:
https://ccisab.ca/work-with-us/

We were proud to be part of the South Asian Social Justice Summit – Calgary this past Sunday at the Genesis Centre.

Through our partnership with the Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA), CCIS continues to support advocacy for equitable and inclusive practices in health and mental wellness for Calgary’s South Asian community. The summit brought together partners from the settlement sector, grassroots organizations, and community members to discuss key challenges and opportunities facing the community.

A special congratulations to our own Aqsa Iqbal, RSW, Program Manager at the Centre for Refugee Resilience (CRR), who represents CCIS on this network. Aqsa was recognized for her impactful contributions over the past 1.5 years with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, presented by MLA Parmeet Singh Boparai (Calgary-Falconridge).

Thank you to all organizers, partners, and community members for an inspiring and important event.

Learn more about our CRR work: https://ccisab.ca/centre-for-refugee-resilience/

We’re Hiring! 🎹

CCIS is hiring Piano Teachers to join our Keys for Newcomers program — a pilot project in collaboration with Honens.

Keys for Newcomers is an innovative initiative that offers newcomers to Canada accessible music education by removing financial and language barriers.

If you are passionate about music and supporting newcomer children and families, we encourage you to apply.

Learn more and apply: https://ccisab.ca/keys-for-newcomers-piano-teacher/

Attention Refugee Claimants in Calgary!

Are you interested in starting a career in the trades?

Join us for an upcoming information session to learn about a free welding training program designed to help you build practical skills for in-demand industries such as construction, manufacturing, and oil and gas.

This program offers:
• Hands-on training with industry partners
• Real on-site experience
• Skills upgrading in a supportive learning environment
• Accessibility for individuals with varying English levels

📅 Information Session: June 18 | 9:45 AM – 12:00 PM |📍CCIS (1111 – 11 Ave SW, near Kerby LRT)

✅ Open to refugee claimant individuals receiving Alberta Income Support
📢 Program begins: August 4, 2026 - Spots are limited.

To Register | Contact your assigned counsellor or call: 403.262.2006
Claudia ([email protected]) | Ban ([email protected]) | Thomas ([email protected])

The 2026 opening ceremony for the growing season of CCIS’s urban farming project, Land of Dreams, was a truly vibrant celebration of community, culture and new beginnings. From the moment people arrived, there was a sense of joy and connection across the land, a space where newcomers and community members came together to celebrate not just a garden, but a place of dreams, hope, and fresh starts.

We were honoured to open the day with a blessing from Elder Dr. Teena Starlight and Blackfoot Knowledge Keeper Daniel Mistaken Chief, grounding the event in respect and gratitude for the land. A to***co offering was also shared by our Board Chair, Josephine Naicker, marking the importance of intention, respect and new beginnings. Their words reminded us of the significance of starting a new season in the spirit of community and connection.

Josephine further spoke about how meaningful the Land of Dreams is, a place where people can plant roots, build community and begin again, just like the changing seasons.

The afternoon was full of life, from Indigenous dance performances by Davis McGilvery, Shayan Littlelight, and Alakai Littlelight from Tsuut’ina and Saddle Lake Nations, where newcomers also had the opportunity to learn about powwow and jingle dance and the deep cultural meaning behind these traditions, to a powerful South Sudanese performance by Malual Buoth Anyar - Aweil Community Dance Group . Guests joined in the celebrations, including dancing dabke together, bringing even more energy and connection to the day.

The event brought together newcomers who had only been in Canada for a few weeks and are currently staying in our reception house, alongside community members from across Calgary. Participants came from Syria, Sudan, Iraq including Yazidi newcomers, Congo, and Myanmar including Rohingya newcomers, reflecting a truly diverse community coming together in one shared space.

Food was shared during the potluck, stories were exchanged, and laughter carried across the garden. It truly felt festive, warm, and welcoming.

And as always, the land itself was part of the experience, stretching wide under the open sky, where the skyline meets fresh soil, ready for a new season of growth.

💛 Thank you to everyone who joined us, contributed, and made the day so special. A special thank you as well to our incredible volunteers 💖 from Land of Dreams and CCIS, who truly made this celebration so festive and memorable! 🤗

This is just the beginning..

Learn more about the work we do in the Land of Dreams project, by visiting the link: https://ccisab.ca/land-of-dreams/

Today our Business Employment and Training Services (BETS) team hit pause on their usual day-to-day to come together for a Professional Development Day!

The morning started with updates from Director Hasmik Asmaryan, followed by a thoughtful and engaging session facilitated by guest speaker Svetlana Miftahov-Rapoport, who guided the team through emotional intelligence in the workplace. They explored how self-awareness shows up in real time: looking at things like mirroring behaviours, emotional burnout, and how self-perception and implicit thoughts can shape the actions we take.

It wasn’t all learning in the traditional sense, there was plenty of movement, too. Through team building activities and interactive games guided by Maria Arlene Molina, the team had the chance to connect, reflect, and learn from each other in a different way.

Days like this matter. They create space to grow individually and as a team, and that carries into the work we do every day.

A big thank you to the BETS team and organizing committee for making it all come together: Iuliana Doljescu, Kahkashan Maqsood, Beverley Hejduk, Aneta Popa, and Jessica Juen. 💚