Our Impact
More than 400,000 immigrants live in Calgary and they all play a role in making our community a happier, safer, and more prosperous place. They are trained healthcare workers, transit drivers, teachers, engineers, and artists who moved to Canada in search of a better life—and at one point, they needed support to build thriving lives. This is why we exist.
The Need
52% of recent immigrants with a university degree have worked in a job they were overqualified for – almost twice the proportion of their Canadian-born counterparts, at 28%.
The median employment earnings of immigrants with a university certificate, diploma, or degree at bachelor level or above were $10,000 less than that of the general Calgary population.
Our Impact. Our Community.
Immigrant Services Calgary supports newcomers in their immigration journey, helping them access vital programs and services to realize their Canadian dream. Our impact*:
178,410
newcomers helped to build thriving lives in Calgary
62,404
language tests executed to help newcomers access English language classes, schooling, and certifications
79,544
assessments completed to ensure newcomers are connected to the best programs and services to meet their needs
*Cumulative data from 2016-2024
Meet the people we've helped:
My Gateway Planner was the first person I spoke to in Calgary to get information about the services available, especially for people with disabilities,” says Dima. “She made things easy for me by informing me about resources I could benefit from.”
Dima's Story
When she was only three years old, Dima had an accident that left her permanently disabled. Growing up in a small Syrian town, she didn’t receive a lot of support, with many viewing a life of disability as one not worth living.
Dima disagreed.
After graduating from high school, she moved, found a job in Damascus, and began frequenting a gym for athletes with disabilities. Ten years later, she was an international table tennis gold medalist, met her husband, Osama, and they soon welcomed two boys into their family.
When war broke out in Syria, Dima’s family fled to Turkey. In 2017, they relocated to Ontario before moving to Calgary in 2021—where Dima contacted Immigrant Services Calgary for support.
Working with her Gateway Planner, Dima shared goals for her future and was referred to programs that could help her and her family—and applied for Canadian citizenship.
Dima and her family are now building the lives they envisioned for themselves, thanks to the support from Immigrant Services Calgary.
“Moving from one province to another was difficult for me, especially because of the language barrier,” says Dima. “My Gateway Planner made things easy. The services Immigrant Services Calgary provides are excellent and make it easier for newcomers to adjust to their new life.”
to support newcomers like Dima.
Partnering for Change
At Immigrant Services Calgary, we believe in the famous saying “two heads are better than one.” Combining the strengths and expertise of diverse organizations allows us to solve issues impacting our community through innovation and strategic problem solving. Only 4 in 10 newcomers to Canada are accessing support services. Together with our partners, we want to grow that number to 8.
The following are a few examples of our transformational partnerships.
60% of newcomers to Canada are not accessing the services they need because the current support system is complex and challenging to navigate.
In a Calgary survey of those not accessing services, 80% were unaware or confused about the services available to them.
Traditionally, the settlement sector in Calgary was siloed, with each organization functioning individually, rather than in coordination with one another. For newcomers entering the city, this meant there was no clear path showing which services to access and when. Despite their desire to succeed in their new home, many newcomers fell through the cracks and were unable to build thriving lives.
In 2021, Immigrant Services Calgary and its community partners launched Gateway: a collaboration among organizations to better serve and support newcomers who choose to make Alberta home. Born out of the desire to improve the lives of newcomers in Calgary, Gateway ensures immigrants and refugees are connected to the best-fit programs and services that enable them to thrive in their new home.
2,000+
programs and services available to help newcomers succeed
30+
languages spoken by support staff to eliminate language barriers
90+
partners working together to ensure newcomers are connected to the best-fit services in the community
Each newcomer story is different, which is why each Gateway client receives a unique plan based on their dreams, goals, skills, and priorities. The plan refers newcomers to the programs and services that best meet their needs. The Gateway team follows up with the client on a regular basis to ensure the client is reaching their goals.
I came to meet you with a bunch of problems, questions and I was clueless and not able to express my pain and cried a lot in front of you …You show me a path how to handle the situation where I have to go and whom I have to meet …