Canada Day is an opportunity to gather in our communities and proudly celebrate our heritage, our achievements, our shared values and the contribution of new Canadians.

Newcomers bring their talents and skills to this nation but, for many, settlement is often a difficult and painful experience. Across Canada, The Salvation Army continues to meet real needs of newcomers and works through barriers with those who have come to this great land in search of protection and/or a better life.

Eight months ago, 30-year-old Azabe and her husband arrived in Canada. In 2003, they fled their homeland, the State of Eritrea in northeast Africa, because of war. For five years they lived in a refugee camp in Uganda, barely surviving by selling Eritrean food.

This month Azabe graduated from The Salvation Army’s five-month Life Employability Enhancement Program in Winnipeg. The program teaches a wide range of skills including English, computers and interviewing. With these qualifications she plans to begin studies as a health-care aide and eventually wants to become a nurse.

Azabe is one of hundreds of newcomers across Canada who has turned to The Salvation Army for help. At The Salvation Army Immigrant and Refugee Services in Toronto, director, Major Holly Patterson, has developed tremendous respect for new immigrants and refugees as she hears their stories, understands their courage and helps them settle and have a better life. “I have learned how difficult it is for people to get here, particularly refugees.

“Most refugees had good jobs. They come here highly skilled and educated. Doctors, lawyers and engineers come to escape persecution and oppression in search of protection because they know Canada is a safe place to raise their families. They are free to walk the streets with no bombing and they aren’t persecuted for who they are and what they believe,” says Holly.

In 2007, The Salvation Army Toronto Immigrant and Refugee Services provided settlement services such as filling out forms, accessing government services, English as a Second Language and crisis counselling to more than 2,000 people.

“With a less than 1% growth rate, Canada needs immigration,” says Holly. “Your parents and grandparents immigrated. This is not new to Canada. But where they are coming from is new. The Salvation Army is here to provide the necessary tools, knowledge and resources to aid newcomers in becoming full participants in Canadian society.”

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