Alberta Immigrant Women and Children Centre celebrates opening of new location

When Sahra Hashi immigrated to Canada, she didn’t have many resources to help her out. Now, as the Executive Director at the Alberta Immigrant Women and Children Centre, she’s able to help newcomers get on their two feet.

“I did not get this kind of service. The people who are coming right now, they are lucky. They have organizations like us who are helping them, understanding their culture, and the situation they are going through,” she explained.

The charitable organization provides support to women and children in need and focuses on the specific concerns of immigrants and refugees.

Thursday morning, the organization celebrating their expanded location with a ribbon cutting ceremony

Their new location is nearly ten times larger, and will allow them to provide more services to more people.

“More space means more staff, and more service to help the clients. The need actually increases every day, and we serve new immigrants in the country, and every day more people come to the service, whether its for food, school support, any support they need,” said Hashi.

“The need actually increases every day, and we serve new immigrants in the country, and every day more people come to the service, whether its for food, school support, any support they need.”

Photo from unveiling of new Alberta Immigrant Women and Children Centre location. (Photo Credit: Laura Krause, CityNews)

About a quarter of Albertans are immigrants, according to a 2021 Statistics Canada study.

Hashi says their organization helps out about 90 people a day, most from Afghanistan, Syria, or Ukraine.

“Some people need more support than others,” said Hashi. “I did not get this kind of service. The people who are coming right now, they are lucky. They have organizations like us who are helping them, understand their culture, and the situation they are going through, the need and everything and that’s why we are here.”

A $2 million dollar investment presented by Minister Randy Boissonnault will allow the organization to continue providing those services.

“The work of the organization is critical to supporting newcomers with their pathway to employment, but also creating community. In the 10 years AIWCC has been running, it started with the Somali community, but now they are supporting newcomers from all around the world,” said Boissonnault adding, “There is a waiting list for people to come in and use the services here.”