A New Life, and the Courage to Begin

When Samah arrived in Canada in 2023 with her three children, she brought with her a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, a Project Management Professional certification, and a deep sense of purpose. What she didn’t bring was a roadmap.

Moving to a new country is rarely just about geography—it’s about finding your footing in unfamiliar systems, understanding where you fit, and rebuilding everything from your daily routines to your professional identity. Samah, like many newcomers, was ready to work, but unsure where to begin.

That’s when she found the YMCA.

She walked through the doors of our Niagara Falls Employment Services Centre with a question many of our clients share: How do I start over—and where do I even begin? What she found was more than just guidance. It was warmth, patience, and a team that saw her not just as a job seeker, but as a person with incredible potential.

More Than a Job Search

Samah connected with Fynan Hamadah, one of our Employment Coaches, and the two began working together on paperwork, job readiness, and interview preparation. But their connection went beyond logistics. “Fynan made sure I was set for my first days at work with impactful gestures,” Samah shared, describing the quiet, thoughtful ways her coach helped ease the pressure of a new beginning. Those small acts, she said, made a big difference during those make-or-break first days.

And they paid off.

With the YMCA’s support and her own persistence, Samah secured a position with Niagara Health as an HIS Go-Live Support. When her contract was extended, it wasn’t just a professional win—it was personal. She saw it as proof of her resilience and the network that helped her get there.

A Sense of Belonging

What stands out most in Samah’s story isn’t just the job title or the contract extension—it’s the way she talks about being seen. She described the YMCA team as people who “provided encouragement and a sense of belonging,” something that mattered just as much as the job coaching.

“If I could advise someone starting their journey in Canada,” she said, “I’d tell them to stay persistent and seek out resources like the YMCA. They ensure you have the tools to succeed—and they make you feel valued.”

At the YMCA of Niagara, our Employment and Immigrant Services teams work together to meet newcomers where they’re at—whether that’s helping with resumes and job leads, or simply being a calm, encouraging presence during a big life transition.

Samah’s story reminds us that behind every resume is a journey, behind every job title is a person, and behind every first step is a community that helps make it possible.

Her words echo what we hear time and time again: that the YMCA is more than a stepping stone to employment.

For many, it’s the first place in Canada where they feel like they belong.