Port Hawkesbury now has a new, full-time immigrant settlement worker to support new Nova Scotians.

The YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth received a $290,000 increase in funding from the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration to support newcomers who settle in Nova Scotia communities. It is expanding its YMCA Recognizing Enhancing Aligning Community Horizons (YREACH) program to Port Hawkesbury.

“This funding will help newcomers settle in the Strait area and make the transition to a new life,” said Energy Minister Michel Samson, on behalf of Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, today, June 14. “It enables one-on-one settlement service counselling.”

The additional funding will increase the number of YREACH settlement workers to nine provincewide and also provides support for a new, full-time manager of child and youth services programming.

“With this expansion we are now able to provide direct assistance to immigrants in the Strait area as well as work closely with community members and organizations to be welcoming and inclusive to newcomers settling here,” said Inhae Park, provincial co-ordinator, YREACH, YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth.

Source: Release