Written by: Erica Luo
Canadian Connections is a registered charity founded by Marcella Tomas and Anne Le Quang, stemming from deep connections between non-profit industry friends to cultivate deep connections for refugees resettling in Canada. Providing early intervention for specific resettlement needs, Canadian Connections builds mutual trust with its partners to recommend its four programs: Women in Action to deliver employment services for refugee women, the Digital Access Project to provide laptops to newcomer refugees, Grocery Gift Cards, and the Move It! program to provide furniture and essential living items.
Their connection with each other, and with RCT through their Digital Access Project, runs deeper than the organization’s inception. Both founders come from a non-profit background, starting at the Heart & Stroke Foundation, where Anne and RCT’s Marie DeLuca worked together. Then they both moved to the Canadian Diabetes Association, where they met Marcella. Canadian Connections began after Marcella had sponsored a Syrian family 7 years ago and realized the meaningful impact of collaborating with local initiatives to support newcomer resettlement.
Canadian Connections bridges the gap in resettlement service industries, providing grassroots and personal support that is often overlooked. During the first 3 years, Canadian Connections was able to support over 800 families (6,000+ people) with 300+ Chromebooks and laptops, with over $75,000 worth of grocery and household gift cards, and donated furniture to over 50 families. 5 refugees were hired as staff, with 15+ volunteers overseeing operations and programming within the organization.
Aside from RCT, Canadian Connections has collaborated with Abrar Trauma and Mental Health Services and the Bell Let’s Talk Community Fund to provide an 8-week-long support group for newcomers, alongside Muslim Children’s Aid Support Services, IKEA, Furniture Bank, and Endy.
This August marks Canadian Connections’ 4th anniversary and the need for their programs and services is higher than ever. To learn more about and support their work, visit their web site: HERE!