Calgary’s Immigrant Education Society celebrates milestone
Posted Oct 27, 2023 1:30 pm.
Calgary’s Immigrant Education Society (TIES) marked an important milestone Thursday evening, with a gala to celebrate 35 years since their inception.
The organization is dedicated to helping new immigrants get on their feet once they arrive in Canada, with more than 40 programs designed to teach newcomers the ins and outs of Canadian society.
“We offer language training, employment training, settlement, childcare, financial literacy, education, emotional wellness support,” said president and CEO of the Immigrant Education Society, Sally Zhao. “All different programs because all newcomers have different challenges in their journey and also the journey of settling in Canada.”
TIES programs offered shift as the demographic of newcomers shift. It’s something they welcome with open arms, saying it forces them to adapt and become even more inclusive.
“At different times, people do come from different backgrounds. For example, a few years ago — 2016 — a lot of Syrian refugees came,” Zhao said. “And then the last few years, Afghan refugees came.”
Mayor Jyoti Gondek and Premier Danielle Smith were on hand to celebrate the milestone, as were a handful of artists and performers, representing a multitude of countries from which people have left to come to Canada.
“Our clients are from more than 88 different countries. We tried to just name the tables with their countries, though they have kind of belonging. These are the top countries where our clients are from,” Zhao added.
She also said the city has a great repuation for being welcoming to new Canadians.
“Together we can build a beautiful home, together stronger,” Zhao said.
