We were honoured to welcome the Honourable @lena4halifaxwest Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, to ISANS this week.
It was a valuable opportunity to share the impact of our work supporting newcomers across Nova Scotia and to highlight the importance of accessible, culturally responsive settlement and wellness services.
Thank you, Minister Diab, for taking the time to visit and engage with our team. We look forward to continuing to work together to support vibrant, inclusive communities.
Our May Newsletter is here!
This month, we proudly celebrate Asian Heritage Month, honor our dedicated volunteers, and recognize the amazing mothers who make our lives brighter every day.
On May 15, we also observe the International Day of Families, a day that highlights the vital role families as the foundation of our communities. This year’s theme, Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing, reminds us of the importance of creating supportive and inclusive environments for all families.
In this edition, Suzana Putnik shares her inspiring journey of finding a true sense of home while raising her family in a diverse and welcoming community. https://isans.ca/finding-home-through-motherhood-a-newcomer-mothers-story/
We invite you to explore more inspiring stories and community highlights in our May Newsletter. https://app.simplycast.ca/?e=email/share/14J2FfNNU3Cxt61evGu6PgWQ
ISANS is pleased to offer our Building Intercultural Competence workshops!
As Nova Scotia continues to grow in cultural diversity, these full‑day sessions help organizations, educators, and community members strengthen their ability to welcome and support newcomers.
Our May session is approaching fast, please register here. /pages/responsepage.aspx?id=ilDkifHdr0C_hKrFMInF_fZ76tNbzlhMrHoDljVr5DNUQkswMkZDM1NJQUVPUzdWRkpDT0pDVEsxNS4u&route=shorturl
These free, interactive workshops explore settlement barriers, practical ways to support new immigrants, and strategies for building strong intercultural relationships.
For questions, contact Colleen Belle at 902‑406‑4749 or [email protected]
We had pleasure to participate in the Spring Volunteer Fair 2026 at the Halifax Central Library. The event brought together many community organizations, volunteers, and community members for an afternoon of meaningful connections and information sharing.
We are grateful to the organizers for creating such a welcoming and engaging community event and for the opportunity to share information about ISANS volunteer opportunities.
A special thanks to our dedicated volunteers who supported us throughout the event and helped make our participation a success.
@hfxpublib@ionscanada
Thank you to @mothersmattercanada for celebrating motherhood this Mother’s Day and for honouring our HIPPY mother, Suzana Putnik, with the Because Mothers Matter Award.
Throughout the month, Mothers Matter Canada is recognizing all mothers and mother figures through the "Because Mothers Matter Awards".
Whether it’s the mother who sacrificed everything to give her children a better life, the grandmother who stepped in when it mattered most, or the mentor who believed in you when no one else did, every story deserves to be celebrated.
We celebrate the women whose love, strength, and support change lives every single day. We celebrate the women whose love, strength, and support change lives every single day. This month, nominate someone special.
www.bmmawards.ca
#MothersMatterCanada #BecauseMothersMatterAwards #BMMA2026 #BecauseMothersMatter #Motherhood #CanadianMoms
Today, on International Nurses Day, we recognize and celebrate the dedication, compassion, and resilience of nurses who strengthen our healthcare system and care for our communities every day.
At ISANS, we are proud to support internationally educated nurses as they navigate their licensure journey and build meaningful careers in Nova Scotia through programs like the Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) Orientation Program. Their skills, experiences, and contributions play a vital role in addressing healthcare needs across our province.
To all nurses thank you for the care, empathy, and expertise you bring to your work each day. Happy International Nurses Day.
Read more about the IEN Orientation Program:https://isans.ca/program/internationally-educated-nurses-orientation-program-ien/
Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms!
Today, we celebrate the strength, love, and resilience of mothers who care for their families while building new beginnings and creating a sense of home. Your courage, compassion, and dedication inspire us every day.
Suzana Putnik’s story is one of love, resilience, and courage and a reminder that even in unfamiliar places, the strength of a mother can create a home filled with hope and belonging.
To newcomer moms like Suzana, and to all mothers navigating change with hope and determination thank you for the care and strength you bring to your families and communities.
Read Suzana’s story and how she let her kids feel special: https://isans.ca/finding-home-through-motherhood-a-newcomer-mothers-story/
Mental Health Week runs from May 4–10, 2026, and this year’s theme, “Come Together, Canada,” celebrates the power of social connection and the important role meaningful relationships play in supporting our mental well-being.
Our Newcomer Community Wellness Program supports newcomers experiencing settlement-related stress by providing short-term individual counselling, specialized support groups, and wellness-focused workshops. The program is grounded in trauma-informed care, cultural humility, prevention, resilience-building, and early intervention, ensuring services are responsive to the diverse lived experiences of newcomers.
Through culturally responsive and accessible support, the program promotes mental wellness and mental health literacy while addressing the impacts of trauma, stress, and adjustment challenges related to migration and settlement.
#mentalhealthweek#connectforwellbeing
As the new season kicks off, we’re proud to wish the very best to the @hfxwanderersfc
Sport has the power to bring communities together, create a sense of belonging, and celebrate the diversity that strengthens Nova Scotia.
At ISANS, we value partnerships and community leaders who help make Nova Scotia a welcoming place where everyone can belong and grow.
Wishing the team a successful and exciting season ahead. ⚽
This year’s Mental Health Week theme, Come Together, Canada, reminds us of the strength we find in connection and the deep sense of belonging that grows when communities unite.
Our Well-being for All project continues to expand its impact by prioritizing prevention, resilience-building, and culturally responsive early intervention. Through diverse group programming, workshops, and knowledge-sharing spaces, these efforts are enhancing mental health literacy and supporting newcomers as they navigate settlement challenges, trauma, and stress with greater confidence and understanding.
With the ongoing support of our partners, the project remains committed to designing care that centers inclusion, cultural humility, and equity. By amplifying community voices and strengthening partnerships, we are moving toward fostering meaningful belonging and creating spaces where healing and hope can grow, one community at a time.
#mentalhealthweek#connectforwellbeing#ComeTogetherCanada#StrongerTogether
Mental Health Week (May 4–10, 2026) is a time for people across Canada to come together and reconnect with their communities and with themselves. It’s an opportunity to recognize the importance of mental health while strengthening the connections that support our well-being.
This year’s theme, “Come together, Canada,” highlights how meaningful social connection helps reduce isolation, build resilience, and foster a sense of belonging. When we share experiences and support one another, we create stronger, healthier communities.
Mental Health Week serves as a reminder that genuine, healthy connections are one of the most powerful ways to nurture and sustain both individual and collective mental well-being.
#mentalhealthweek
#ComeTogetherCanada
#mentalhealthmatters
#StrongerTogether
#connectforwellbeing
#youarenotalone
#CommunityCare
#wellbeingmatters
#MindHealthMatters
#BreakTheIsolation
#canadacareers
May marks Asian Heritage Month, a time to learn about and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and traditions of Asian communities across Canada. It is also an opportunity to recognize the many achievements and lasting contributions of people of Asian origin who have helped shape the Canada we know today.
ISANS remains committed to supporting immigrants including many from Asian countries as they build their futures in Nova Scotia. From arts and business to innovation and leadership, Asian Canadians continue to play a vital role in enriching and strengthening our province and country. Together, we celebrate the vibrant diversity that makes our community thrive.
Let’s learn more about Asian Heritage Month: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/asian-heritage-month.html
