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School Settlement

School Settlement

The YMCA works in partnership with over 40+ schools in the Greater Halifax area to assist immigrant children, youth, and their families.

Asian school teacher assisting female student in classroom. Young woman working in school helping girl with her writing, education, support, care.

Since 1992, our YMCA has partnered with schools throughout our community to support the settlement of families new to Canada. Our friendly, welcoming YMCA School Settlement Support Staff work on-site at elementary, junior and senior high schools to provide practical assistance to immigrant children, youth, and families.
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Each family, every school, and all situations are unique. Our YMCA staff provide individualized support at all School Settlement Program locations to ensure that students and families feel confident, comfortable and most of all, connected to your community.

YMCA School Settlement Services Include:

  • Orientation to your new school and community

  • Support from YMCA staff as liaison between home and school

  • Referrals to settlement, language, and employment services
  • Becoming connected with local services suited to your needs
  • After school programs and various recreational activities
  • Help with your schoolwork through YMCA academic support, Homework Clubs, and peer tutoring
  • Assistance with language translation and interpretation
  • Making new friends and engaging with others at the YMCA multicultural clubs and events
Portrait Of Smiling Male Elementary School Pupil Outdoors With Backpack At School

We currently run our School Settlement program at over 40 school sites across Greater Halifax and Dartmouth.

Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS)
Smaller Centres

SWIS services are offered in eight regions across Nova Scotia, providing school-based settlement support to newcomer students and their families. Through partnerships with schools, families, and community organizations, SWIS Settlement staff help newcomers successfully navigate the education system, connect with community resources, and build the knowledge and confidenceneeded to succeed both at school and in their new communities.

SWIS PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Akram Kiani

Settlement Workers in SchoolsSmaller Centres

SWIS Settlement List

Region Name Email Address Phone
Amherst & Oxford Olha Skuhra olha.skuhra@halifax.ymca.ca 902-222-9672
Antigonish Desmond Hembrey desmond.hembrey@halifax.ymca.ca —
Truro TBD yreach@halifax.ymca.ca —
Kentville Jacinta Mutie jacinta.mutie@halifax.ymca.ca —
New Glasgow Zahra Yazidi zahra.yazidi@halifax.ymca.ca —
Sydney Des Ong des.ong@halifax.ymca.ca —
Bridgewater Iraj Tariq iraj.tariq@halifax.ymca.ca —
Yarmouth TBD yreach@halifax.ymca.ca —

Contact us:

Amy Belanger

School Settlement Coordinator
amy.belanger@halifax.ymca.ca
Mobile (902) 223-3107

Kyra Brett

School Settlement Coordinator
kyra.brett@halifax.ymca.ca
Mobile (902) 225-5350

Akram Kiani

SWIS Program Coordinator
akram.kiani@halifax.ymca.ca
Mobile (902) 222-9672

YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth I Centre for Immigrant Programs
104-7071 Bayer’s Road
Halifax, NS B3L 2C2

YMCA Centre (902) 457-9622

Purdy's Wharf

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Kelly


Director of Purdy’s Wharf Child Care Centre

“I graduated from St. Joseph’s College in 2006 and have been working in the early childhood field for almost 20 years now. My passion has always been centered around the health and wellbeing of all children, and fostering a warm, welcoming atmosphere where children feel safe and secure. Family means the world to me, and I look forward to bringing that love and care into my work.”

Mandeep


Assistant Director Purdy’s Wharf Child Care Centre

"I’ve worked with the YMCA since June 2021 and my passion is to work with preschoolers. On my personal time, I enjoy listening to music, reading books and spending time with my little ones."

Marg

"I have been with the Y as an ECE for over 38 years. My greatest achievement was developing the Grand friends' program which brings together children from the Y with residents of nearby geriatric facilities and promotes social and emotional elements."

Jobanpreet

"I believe that every child is a different kind of flower and all together, makes this world a beautiful garden. My hobbies are listening to music and travelling to new places."

Kiranpreet

"I started working with the YMCA in august 2022. I really like being around and playing with little ones and I’m so grateful that the “Y” gave me an opportunity to do what I love!"

Supreet

"My interests include cooking, drawing, and listening to music. I love to work with children, and I believe that only if the success feels like your own, it can be both happy and valuable."

Satinder

"I really enjoy working with children and this is a great chance for me to do what I love! My hobbies are reading, travelling, and exploring different places. I encourage students to actively play and explore new things with their friends (based on their interests).

Manisha

"I am graduate from Conestoga College, Ontario. I am so grateful to be a toddler teacher. In my spare time, I love cooking and exploring new places."

Fall River

Mandy


Director of Fall River Early Learning Child Care Centre

 "I've been a part of the YMCA in Alberta, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. I am honoured to be a part of building stronger communities through supporting families and most importantly children!"

Alex


Assistant Director of Fall River

"I love building relationships with the children and watching them discover new interests. On my personal time, I enjoy reading, listening to music and spending time with my family."

Jenna

" I am an ECE who is passionate about inclusion, and I strive to create warm environments where everyone thrives and feels supported."

Michelle

"I have worked as an RECE with the YMCA of Greater Toronto for the past 17 years. In my spare time, I enjoy time with my two children and husband, reading, gardening, traveling back to Trinidad to spending time with my extended family."

Rajwant

"I completed my Early Childhood Education diploma in Montreal and have been working with children since April of 2023. I love working with children because it gives me the opportunity to explore the world again through little eyes. "

Harman

"It has been a rewarding experience working with children and families. Each of them are unique in their own ways. I work to create an environment where children feel loved, cared for, respected, and like they belong."

Mujeeb

" Authentic play comes from down deep inside us. It’s not formed or motivated solely by others.

Satinder

"I love to spend time with children and believe in creating positive learning environments for them."

Gagan

"I adore working and playing with children and families; it is so rewarding. I work to create environments which will foster children’s holistic development, and where they can feel loved and safe. "

Navjeet

"For children’s development, I believe it is very important for an educator to be a good role model. I will give my best to my class in order to promote children’s social, emotional, lingual, cognitive, and intellectual development. "

Blessing

" The beauty of working with children is the ability to make a positive impact, not only in the children’s life but in the lives of their family and the community.

Priya

" I am an ECE who loves to spend time with the children, and I believe that we can learn more from the children than we expect. I also believe that in order to be a good educator, we must first be friends with the children.

Morgan

"I’ve worked with infants, right through to preschoolers! I absolutely adore all children and have a vast experience working with children of different backgrounds, cultures and needs."

Fengjun

"I used to work as an after- school group leader with HRCE and helped my mom run a daycare at home. I have 3 nephews and 4 nieces; it is always a pleasure to spend time with them in the parks or doing activities like craft or play dough." 

Siya

" Children require an environment that reflects and respects their interests and ideas, provides creative and open-ended experiences, offers opportunities to work alone or alongside each other and promotes a sense of authentic choice.

Holly

"I have been in the ECE field since 2005, guiding and helping children ages 18 months to 10 years. I enjoy being outdoors, hiking, camping, beaches, or a nice peaceful walk. I think it's important for children to learn from their outdoor environment and neighborhood."

Kate

" Play is not knowing where you’re going, but having a great starting point

Tushar

ECE, Level 2

" As early childhood professionals, our job is simply this…to help children make meaning out of the world in which they find themselves"

Devynn

ECE, Level 1

" We value the zest for living and learning that embodies curiosity, playfulness, determination, persistence, pleasure in accomplishment, resilience, and the sheer joy of being alive.”

Gurleen

ECE, Level 1

" If a child is to keep alive [their] inborn sense of wonder… [they need] the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with [them] the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in..”

Kayleigh

" The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.”

Daven

"I completed my culinary management diploma in Ontario, and I have five years of experience working in different restaurants across Canada. Children are so pure; like angels. Being able to make food for angels is a very rewarding thing to do. "

Coming Soon

Leadership Team

The YMCA leadership team supports all areas of the organization in serving our community. We provide quality programs and services that are reflective of the evolving communities we serve.

Brian Posavad

President & CEO
He/ Him
ceo.office@halifax.ymca.ca
p. (902) 222-1177

Julie-Ann Vincent

Chief Operating Officer
She / Her
julie-ann.vincent@halifax.ymca.ca
p. (902) 222-7533

Maureen L. Hayward

Chief Financial Officer
She/ Her
maureen.hayward@halifax.ymca.ca
p. (902) 601-1736

Heather MacDonald

Chief Development Officer
She/ Her
heather.macdonald@halifax.ymca.ca
p. (902) 456-0583

Sahra MacNeill

Vice President, People and Culture
She / Her
sahra.macneill@halifax.ymca.ca
p. (902) 225-2790

Anna Barnes

Vice President, YMCA Atlantic Regional Development Centre (RDC)
She / Her
anna.barnes@halifax.ymca.ca
p. (902) 221-8974

Victoria Collins

General Manager, Child Engagement & Operations
She/ Her
victoria.collins@halifax.ymca.ca
p. 902-223-0015

TL Johannesson

General Manager, Youth and Leadership Development
She/ Her
tl.johannesson@halifax.ymca.ca
p. 902-237-7490

John Meagher

General Manager, Asset & Development
He / Him
john.meagher@halifax.ymca.ca
p. (902) 223-3986

Alicia Browne

Director, YMCA Immigrant Services
She/ Her
alicia.browne@halifax.ymca.ca
p. 902-225-4425

Michelle Rivoire

Vice President, Health, Fitness, and Aquatics
She/ Her
michelle.rivoire@halifax.ymca.ca
p. 902-717-8060

Rebekah Skeete

Director, Employment Services Centre
She/ Her
rebekah.skeete@halifax.ymca.ca
p. 902-461-2513 ext. 228

Ashley Stobo

Director of Philanthropy
She/ Her
ashley.stobo@halifax.ymca.ca

Meet our Current Directors

As a leading charity, the YMCA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. This group of community volunteers provides vision, strategic leadership and stewardship for the Association. The YMCA Board of Directors meets regularly with an Annual General Meeting held every spring. We are extremely grateful to every member, past or present, of the YMCA’s Board of Directors.

Lora MacEachern

Chair

Lora MacEachern is a Senior Executive and Lawyer, with extensive experience in leadership, law, human resources, public policy, governance and strategic planning

Sian Wren

Vice Chair

Sian Wren is Vice President of Business Transformation at Emera. In this role, she led a large team of internal employees and external

Ash Avery

Ash Avery is Executive Director, Feed Nova Scotia. Ash is an experienced nonprofit executive recognized for leading transformational change in complex community systems.

Ashley Hill

Ashley Hill is the Founder and Executive Director of the PREP Academy, a community based non-profit organization that inspires and prepares African Nova Scotian students for college, university and beyond.

Jacob Woods

Jacob Woods is a Research Associate at the Nova Scotia Community College. Jacob is skilled in energy system analysis

Kenny Hilaire

Sr. Manager, Global Affiliate Network Operations, Prosci Kenny is responsible for the success of Prosci’s global network of partners located throughout Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Additionally, he leads Prosci’s global Sustainability strategy and program.

Kevin Stoddart

Kevin is President of KBRS and Meridia Recruitment Solutions, one of Atlantic Canada’s largest talent management and recruitment organizations, with more than 70 staff and offices across Canada

Mary Navas

With three years of marketing agency experience at NATIONAL Public Relations working with clients across Atlantic Canada, Mary brings a fresh perspective to communication strategies,

Michelle Bussey

Michelle Bussey is the CEO of the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA). Through NSAA, Michelle is working with industry, Government and communities to address the

Patrick Sullivan

Patrick Sullivan – Strategic Business Advisor, Cox and Palmer. Patrick is currently a Strategic Business Advisor with Cox and Palmer, a leading Atlantic Canadian law firm, and was most recently the President and CEO of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.

Safia Rahemtulla

Safia is an Associate Partner in the Consulting practice of EY and holds a CPA, CA designation, a Certified Internal Auditor designation and a Certified Third Party Risk

Sanjay Khanna

With over 25 years of experience, Sanjay has worked as part of the private and public sector focused on Information/Knowledge Management, ...

Sarah McInnes

Sarah is a Partner at McInnes Cooper, specializing in Immigration & Employment law.

Sonia Beattie

Sonia Beattie is the Vice-Provost, Planning & Analytics at Dalhousie University. With a strong passion for education, she completed degrees at both Dalhousie University and Memorial University before starting her career in postsecondary education.

Stacy Burgess

Stacy Burgess - Vice President, Clinical Support 7 System Integration, IWK Health. Stacy is a seasoned healthcare leader with more than 25 years of experience at IWK Health, where she has dedicated her career to advancing care and services for children, youth, and families across Nova Scotia and the Maritimes.

Nikki Hilton

Chief Financial Officer, EfficiencyOne Nikki oversees all financial, treasury, procurement, and information technology functions of the organization. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (Chartered Accountant) and holds a Master of Business Administration from Saint Mary’s University.

YMCA Honourary Trustees​

The YMCA Honourary Trustees are former Directors who continue to support and provide strategic counsel to the YMCA.

Gregory (Greg) D. Auld

Jennifer Berry

Lydia Bugden

Daniel M. Campbell

Wesley G. Campbell

Peter M. Conrod

Paul J. Dyer

Peter Doig

Patty Faith 

Peter G. Fardy

Lou Gannon

Mary Ellen Gurnham

R.F. (Bob) Healy

Wilfred Jackson

John W. Lindsay Jr.

Brian Jessop

Cliff Langin

Ayo Makanjuola

Carole McDougall

James MacGowan

Stuart MacLean

R.A. (Rod) McCulloch

Don C. Mills

David Murray

Robert Richardson

L. Robert (Robbie) Shaw

Krista Jangaard

Stephen MacDonald

Sonya Fraser

Fred Honsberger

Honourary Life Members

Lou Gannon

 

Fred Honsberger

George Rodger

Jean Shaw

John Lindsay Jr.

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