We Rise By Lifting Others
What We Do
Enculturation, Inclusion & Belonging
Belonging is more than adapting — it’s feeling at home, being seen, and becoming part of something greater.
At Reaching Back Foundation, we go beyond integration to build true belonging — where newcomers don’t just live in Canada, they live as Canadians. Through education, mentorship, cultural exchange, and community dialogue, we help newcomers understand Canadian values, traditions, and civic life while empowering them to share their own culture and experiences with pride.
We also create spaces where newcomers and long-time Canadians connect — through storytelling, festivals, neighbourhood gatherings, and shared meals — breaking isolation and building friendships that turn diversity into unity.
Enculturation is where both sides grow: newcomers gain confidence, connection, and purpose, while Canadians rediscover the richness of their own country through the stories and resilience of those who arrive.
Because when everyone feels they belong, Canada becomes stronger, more united, and more compassionate — the way it was meant to be.
Settlement & Integration Support
Starting over in a new country takes courage — and every newcomer deserves a fair start, a guiding hand, and a place to belong.
At Reaching Back Foundation, we help newcomers turn uncertainty into stability through community-based settlement and integration support.
Our programs provide hands-on guidance with housing, healthcare, education, and essential services, along with language, translation, and system-navigation assistance to make every step toward independence easier.
We focus on early integration — helping newcomers understand their rights, connect with local networks, and access the resources that set them up for long-term success.
Whether it’s enrolling a child in school, finding safe housing, or accessing social and financial supports, we walk beside each family every step of the way.
Because when newcomers are supported from day one, they don’t just settle — they grow roots, build confidence, and strengthen the Canada we all call home.
Cultural Entrepreneurship & Business Development
Every newcomer brings more than a dream — they bring talent, creativity, and determination.
At Reaching Back Foundation, we help turn those dreams into businesses that strengthen both families and communities.
Through entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and access to microfinance and local partnerships, we empower newcomers to start and grow small businesses rooted in Canadian values and community needs.
Our goal is to help immigrant entrepreneurs move from survival to sustainability — creating jobs, supporting families, and contributing to Calgary’s growing economy.
When newcomers build businesses, they do more than earn a living — they create opportunity, inspire others, and help build the prosperous Canada we all call home.
Mental Health & Well-Being Supports
Every newcomer carries more than luggage — they carry memories, hopes, and the weight of starting over. At Reaching Back Foundation, we create safe spaces where immigrants can heal, connect, and rediscover peace of mind. We understand that in many cultures, mental health is only recognized when suffering becomes visible — yet in Canada, well-being is also about the quiet strength to keep going, to adapt, and to rebuild. Our programs offer mental-health awareness campaigns, peer-support circles, and culturally informed wellness workshops that normalize conversations about stress, trauma, and transition. We also connect participants with professional counsellors and culturally sensitive therapists who understand faith, family pressures, and the unique emotional journey of migration. Because wellness is not just the absence of illness — it’s the presence of peace, purpose, and belonging in the country we now proudly call home.
Housing Stability for Immigrant Families & Refugees
A safe home is the foundation of every new beginning.
At Reaching Back Foundation, we help newcomers and refugee families find not just housing — but stability, dignity, and a place to belong.
Through education, advocacy, and partnerships with local housing providers, we guide families in understanding leases, tenant rights, budgeting, and maintaining long-term housing security.
For vulnerable newcomers and refugees, we collaborate with community agencies to connect them to transitional and affordable housing programs that prevent homelessness and support family well-being.
Because every newcomer deserves more than a roof overhead — they deserve a home where hope can grow and futures can begin in Canada.
Workplace & Employer Cultural Integration Training
A truly inclusive Canada starts in the workplace — where people from every background work, learn, and grow together.
At Reaching Back Foundation, we help build stronger, more welcoming workplaces by training employers and staff to understand cultural differences, communication styles, and inclusive leadership practices.
Through our interactive workshops and partnerships with local businesses, we create environments where diversity is not just recognized, but valued.
Employers gain tools to attract and retain diverse talent, while newcomers gain confidence to navigate workplace expectations and contribute their best.
Because when inclusion becomes part of every workplace, Canada’s economy — and its communities — grow stronger together.
Youth Engagement & Mentorship
Our children are Canada’s future — and for immigrant youth, Canada is not a second home, it’s their only home.
At Reaching Back Foundation, we help young newcomers build confidence, identity, and purpose through mentorship, leadership programs, and community engagement.
By connecting youth with role models from similar backgrounds, we help them see that their heritage is strength — and their future belongs here, in Canada.
Our programs focus on belonging, education, and civic participation, reducing school dropouts, preventing isolation, and preparing youth to become the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
Because when we raise our children to grow with Canada — they don’t just adapt to the country; they help shape its future.
Language & Workforce Access for Newcomers
Language and employment are more than keys to success — they are the bridges to belonging and independence.
At Reaching Back Foundation, we help newcomers gain the skills and confidence to thrive in Canada’s workforce through language training, job-readiness workshops, credential recognition support, and mentorship.
We also provide guidance in résumé building, networking, and workplace communication, helping immigrants overcome barriers that keep over 40% of skilled newcomers in Alberta underemployed.
Our goal is not just to help people find jobs, but to help them build careers that match their skills, education, and dreams — strengthening families, communities, and the Canada we all call home.
Capacity-Building for Immigrant-Serving Organizations
Strong communities begin with strong organizations.
At Reaching Back Foundation, we empower small and emerging immigrant-led nonprofits to grow, collaborate, and lead lasting change.
Through training, shared resources, and partnership development, we help community organizations strengthen their governance, financial management, and volunteer coordination — building long-term stability and greater impact.
Our approach creates a ripple effect: when local organizations are equipped to serve effectively, entire communities thrive.
This work aligns with the City of Calgary’s Capacity-Building and Emerging Issues Fund, as well as provincial and federal priorities that support inclusive, community-driven development.
Because when community organizations grow stronger, the entire network of support for newcomers — and for Canada — grows stronger too.
Family & Intergenerational Programs
Families are where belonging begins — and where the next generation learns what it means to call Canada home.
At Reaching Back Foundation, we design programs that connect newcomer seniors, parents, and youth through shared learning, mentorship, and storytelling.
Our goal is to help every generation understand the Canada they live in — its values, history, and the contributions of immigrants who helped build it.
Through story-sharing circles, family dialogues, and cultural exchange activities, we encourage conversations that strengthen families, inspire youth, and celebrate the courage of those who came before them.
These connections build understanding, reduce isolation, and help newcomers see themselves not as visitors, but as part of Canada’s ongoing story of hope, unity, and growth.
Free Year-Round Tax & Financial Support Clinic
Financial stability is the first step toward independence and belonging.
At Reaching Back Foundation, we operate a Free Year-Round Open Tax Clinic that helps newcomers, low-income families, and seniors file their taxes, access eligible benefits, and understand their financial rights in Canada.
Our trained volunteers and community partners provide ongoing support with tax filing, benefit applications, and financial literacy education — including budgeting, saving, and navigating Canada’s tax system with confidence.
Because financial empowerment isn’t seasonal — it’s a year-round commitment to dignity, opportunity, and building a secure future in the country we proudly call home.