New Cape Breton immigration centre helps newcomers adjust

A new immigration centre in Sydney, N.S., is working to help people from different countries settle in the region successfully.

The Cape Breton Island Centre for Immigration opened in May and works with thenewcomers, including the six Syrian families who have arrived in the past year.

The centre, which is in the New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation and has $175,000 in funding from the province, offers community outreach and help with job searches.

Guidance needed

Sohaila Abdo, one of two settlement officers, came to Cape Breton in 2009 from Egypt as a student. She says it can be difficult for new arrivals to navigate the many new ways of doing things, including different systems of government.

"Just to have someone who can refer them to the right place, give them correct information, guide them and follow them and be with them through the process" can make all the difference, Abdo said.

She loves seeing the connection grow between newcomers and their new home.

"When I see those people or those families happy of what they achieved and wanting to stay and praising the community, grateful for the support they're getting, that's my favourite part," Abdo said.

Job creators

Cape Breton native Gina Kokoska, the other settlement officer, has worked with refugees in Halifax. Now that's she's back home, she wants to put that experience to use.

"I think for me the exciting part is connecting with the community and seeing the potential of what we can build together," Kokoska said.

Sometimes people worry immigrants take jobs away from local people, butKokosa saysin reality those newcomers often create more jobs.

"Newcomers are 20 per cent more likely to start their own businesses," saidKokoska. "I think it's a mutually beneficial relationship between newcomers and people who are longtime Cape Bretoners to grow together."

• Cape Breton group formed to help immigrants arriving in Nova Scotia
• Sydney prepares for up to 100 government-assisted Syrian refugee families