Ottawa has long been a city of new beginnings, and for thousands of newcomers arriving each year, the road to belonging can feel overwhelming. But at the YMCA's annual Opportunities Expo for New Canadians, those daunting first steps get a little easier — and the woman leading the charge knows that journey better than almost anyone.
More Than 2,000 Newcomers Showed Up
This year's Opportunities Expo brought together more than 2,000 new Canadians eager to connect with Ottawa's major employers and essential support services. The event, organized through the YMCA's Newcomer Information Centre, serves as a one-stop hub where attendees can meet hiring managers, learn about settlement supports, and start building a professional network in a new country.
For many participants, it's their first real foothold in Ottawa's workforce and community — exactly what the expo is designed to create.
A Manager Who Lived the Story
Sana Belhadad, now the manager of the YMCA's Newcomer Information Centre, didn't come to this work from the outside. She arrived in Canada from Morocco, navigating the same labyrinth of paperwork, language barriers, and cultural adjustment that every newcomer faces. Then, in one of the hardest chapters of her life, she lost her husband.
Instead of retreating, Belhadad leaned into the YMCA's newcomer services — and found the resilience she didn't know she had. What began as a personal lifeline became a professional calling. Today, she leads the very program that helped her rebuild.
"It's deeply personal work," she's said of her role. Her story is a reminder that the people running Ottawa's settlement services aren't just administrators — many of them are former clients who turned hardship into purpose.
Why These Services Matter
Ottawa consistently ranks among Canada's top destinations for new permanent residents and refugees. The city's federal workforce, bilingual environment, and university presence make it a natural landing spot — but that doesn't mean the transition is simple.
New Canadians often face credential recognition hurdles, language gaps in professional settings, and social isolation in a city where networks tend to run deep. Events like the Opportunities Expo help break those barriers by putting newcomers directly in front of employers who are actively looking to hire, and connecting them with settlement agencies that offer everything from language classes to mental health support.
The YMCA's Role in the City
The YMCA of the National Capital Region has quietly been one of Ottawa's most important settlement organizations for decades. Its Newcomer Information Centre offers employment support, bridging programs for internationally trained professionals, and community connections — all free of charge.
For someone like Belhadad, the organization didn't just help her find work. It helped her find herself again in a new country, after unimaginable loss.
A City That Keeps Showing Up
Stories like Belhadad's are a testament to what Ottawa does right: building institutions and communities that catch people when they fall and lift them toward something better. The Opportunities Expo isn't just a job fair — it's a symbol of a city that takes its responsibility to new Canadians seriously.
If you're a newcomer to Ottawa or know someone who could benefit from YMCA settlement services, visit the YMCA of the National Capital Region's website for program details and upcoming events.
Source: CBC Ottawa
