When we ask people in our community what KEYS means to them, we get different answers from different people. It’s easy to understand why. KEYS has such a large impact on Kingston and the surrounding area: helping job seekers, entrepreneurs, youth, and businesses. At KEYS, we are also very proud and very fortunate to assist newcomers from all walks of life to build new lives in Kingston and Canada.

KEYS’ role in assisting newcomers has grown exponentially over the years. In 2016, Kingston become a RAP centre, a destination for refugees supported by the federal government, with KEYS taking a lead role in providing settlement services upon arrival. In 2021, the Newcomer Services hub opened on Bagot Street in downtown Kingston to meet the growing demand and KEYS Job Centre rebranded to KEYS Employment and Newcomer Services.

While KEYS receives funding from government and non-government sources for many of its Newcomer and Refugee programs, there are so many community needs that KEYS seeks to address that do not receive funding. That is why KEYS is holding its first Charitable Giving Campaign to help support initiatives like Newcomer & Refugee Supports – that address immediate, life-changing needs for people who’ve survived war & displacement and are rebuilding their lives in Canada. As a registered charity, KEYS believes investing in newcomer and refugee services is an investment in a stronger, more vibrant community.

Behind every donation is the opportunity to help someone overcome challenges, build confidence, and create a healthy future for themselves, their family and the whole community. The stories that follow offer a glimpse into the real-life impact KEYS’ Newcomer and Refugee Services can have on the people they serve.

Najm Qasem

Najm Qasem is a Yemeni investigative journalist and human rights defender with over six years of experience documenting armed conflicts, human rights violations, extremist movements, and social and humanitarian issues affecting vulnerable communities. His commitment to his work came at a cost and, since he refused to stay silent, he became a target. When he received credible threats against his life, he had no choice but to flee his country and leave behind the life he had built, including his career, community, and support network. Najm moved through Egypt, Lebanon, and Tunisia before eventually arriving in Canada, navigating an uncertain future while searching for safety and stability. Najm arrived in Canada through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP), and, though Najm didn’t know a soul in Canada, he was supported by KEYS. Najm was welcomed by Abdulmasih, a staff member on the RAP team, and from their very first meeting, Najm felt welcomed and supported. Abdulmasih and the KEYS team helped Najm navigate Canadian systems, access essential services, and find his first home in Canada. Having someone guide him through those early months provide Najm with the reassurance and stability he needed during this significant life transition. The support he received helped him gain confidence, establish roots in his new community and begin to build a sense of belonging in Canada.

“That last part is one of the hardest challenges any newcomer faces: arriving in a country with a completely different language, culture, and social fabric, and not knowing where to begin. KEYS made sure I never felt like a stranger.”

– Najm Qasem

Najm Qasem credits the KEYS English language program as the most transformative part of his journey. When he arrived in Canada, his limited English made everyday communication challenging. Within just one year, Najm’s English skills improved dramatically: from a Level 3, (low/intermediate) to a Level 7, (advanced). Today, Najm communicates naturally and confidently in English, and that shift opened doors he could not have imagined before. The Newcomer Services team helped Najm secure his first part-time position through the iCreate initiative at Queen’s University. They also guided him through resume writing and Canadian job search strategies, and have continued to support him even now, more than a year and ten months after his arrival. About a year and a half after Najm first sat in a KEYS English class as a student, he returned as a volunteer, helping to teach English to seniors in the evening sessions. His transition from learner to volunteer reflects his impressive personal growth and learning as well as his commitment to giving back:

“Standing in that same classroom, on the other side of the experience, was one of the most meaningful moments of my time in Canada. It told me something important: that I had grown enough to give something back. I was no longer the newcomer who needed guidance; I had become someone who could offer it. That feeling of being useful to others in the same community that had once supported me is something I will carry for a long time.”

– Najm Qasem

Othman

Othman moved to Canada as a newcomer to build a better future for himself and continue developing his skills and education. Like many newcomers, he found that adapting to a new country, language, and system was challenging. He came to KEYS looking for guidance, support, and opportunities to grow within the community. Othman participated in employment programs at KEYS. He described how the staff provided guidance, encouragement, and helpful resources that made it easier for him to understand opportunities available in Canada. KEYS support also helped Othman make meaningful connections in the community.

“One thing that stood out to me was how welcoming and respectful everyone was. I always felt comfortable asking questions and learning new things without judgment. That positive environment made a big difference for me.”

– Othman

Tiba

Tiba, a mother of four, landed in Canada and was welcomed by KEYS. She has been participating in multiple programs, including in-person job search workshops and an online program designed to assist newcomer job seekers to excel in their job search and integration in Canada. Tiba appreciates that the KEYS staff work hard to ensure that she gains the knowledge she needs to succeed in Canada. To provide more support to her family, Tiba enrolled in the KEYS HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) program, a home visitation program designed to work with isolated, and often low-income mothers of pre-school age children. HIPPY helps mothers build the confidence, skills, and community connections needed to support their children’s early learning and prepare them for a successful start at school. Tiba’s goal for the future is to create a personal business that will give her the opportunity to give back to the community.

“I take this opportunity to thank KEYS for all that they have been doing for newcomers.”

– Tiba

Your kindness can change lives.

For more information about KEYS’ Newcomer services visit keys.ca/newcomer-services-en

Follow KEYS on social media: