We Rise By Lifting Others
About us
Who we are
Welcome to Reaching Back Foundation, formerly known as 2219550 Alberta Society — a Calgary-based nonprofit founded in 2019 by people who once stood exactly where many newcomers stand today.
We are immigrants, refugees, skilled workers, and international students in transition — doctors behind taxi wheels, engineers washing dishes, parents juggling two jobs, and dreamers studying late at night — all finding courage in uncertainty and hope in a new beginning. We know what it means to start over, to rebuild, and to dream again in a new land we now call home.
Our purpose is simple yet powerful: to bridge cultures, strengthen communities, and help newcomers thrive — socially, economically, and emotionally.
We believe that integration is not just about learning English or finding a job — it’s about belonging. It’s about being seen, understood, and valued.
Through community engagement, education, and empowerment, we are enculturing new immigrants into Canadian life — helping them belong without losing who they are, and celebrating diversity as one of our nation’s greatest strengths.
We don’t just serve newcomers — we walk beside them, because when we reach back to lift others, everyone rises together.
Our Mission
To enculture and empower newcomers — helping them grow roots in Canadian life, contribute with purpose, and become proud builders of this great nation we all call home. We equip immigrants, refugees, international students, and skilled workers with the knowledge, skills, and community connections to thrive — strengthening the Canada we love through inclusion, opportunity, and shared belonging.
Our Vision
A Canada where every newcomer feels at home and is empowered to belong, contribute, and lead — where diversity fuels innovation, inclusion builds prosperity, and every act of understanding strengthens the nation we proudly call home, starting right here in Calgary, the city that reflects the true heart of Canada’s diversity.
Our Philosophy
Where We Belong
We honour where we came from, but our hearts and our purpose are here. Where we were born is part of our story — but where we are, and where we’re going, is Canada, the home we help build every day. Belonging is more than being accepted — it’s contributing, connecting, and becoming part of something greater. Every newcomer carries a story of courage, and every act of inclusion writes a new line in Canada’s story. At Reaching Back Foundation, we turn new beginnings into shared strength — because Canada’s story is still being written, and we are helping shape it together.
Why Our Work Matters
Canada’s strength lies in its people — and newcomers are a vital part of that story. Immigration drives 98% of Canada’s labour force growth and 80% of population growth, sustaining our economy and communities.
(Sources: Statistics Canada 2024; IRCC)
Yet nearly half of skilled newcomers work below their qualifications, facing language barriers, limited Canadian experience, and credential recognition challenges. Many also experience social isolation and financial stress during their first years of settlement.
Here in Calgary, one of Canada’s fastest-growing and most diverse cities:
- Immigrants make up 33.3% of the population — one in every three residents.
- Over 50% of internationally educated professionals are underemployed.
- 1 in 4 newcomers struggles to access essential settlement and wellness supports.
(Sources: City of Calgary 2023; Immigrant Services Calgary 2024)
At Reaching Back Foundation, we bridge the distance between arrival and belonging. We help newcomers overcome barriers to employment, connection, and community participation — so they can thrive and help build a stronger, more united Canada we all proudly call home.
Our Approach
Integration is only the beginning — true success comes from belonging. At Reaching Back Foundation, we go beyond helping newcomers adapt to Canadian life — we help them feel at home in it. Through education, mentorship, and collaboration, we empower newcomers to build confidence, community, and purpose. At the same time, we work with local Canadians to foster understanding, inclusion, and shared pride — because when everyone feels they belong, Canada grows stronger together.