Founded in 1979, the New Canadians Centre Peterborough (NCC) is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to supporting immigrants, refugees and other newcomers in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, City and County of Peterborough and Northumberland County.Listen to these podcasts produced in collaboration with Trent Radio to learn about where we came from and how we have grown over the years.

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For 45 years, the New Canadians Centre has been at the forefront of supporting newcomers and shaping conversations around immigration. But what does the future hold?In this episode finale, we sit down with NCC’s former Executive Director, Andy Cragg, to explore the evolving landscape of immigration—from shifting public attitudes to emerging policies and the challenges and opportunities ahead. We’ll reflect on NCC’s journey, the impact we’ve made, and what’s next for our organization and the communities we serve.Join us for a thoughtful discussion on how immigration is changing, what we can expect moving forward, and why building welcoming communities matters now more than ever.Interviewee: Andy Cragg; Interviewer: Mauricio Interiano (published in 2025)

Season 2.7: The Shifting Landscape of Immigration - What's Next for the NCC

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The New Canadians Centre has always adapted to meet the needs of the community—but what happens when those needs outgrow our current space? In this episode, we explore NCC’s vision for a new home at St. James Church, a space that could provide stability, growth, and expanded services for newcomers.Join us as we discuss this exciting transition with Andy and Julie, diving into the reasons behind the move, the vision for the future, and what this means for both NCC and the broader community.How will this move strengthen NCC’s ability to support newcomers? What role does the St. James community envision for NCC in this space? And how can you be part of this journey?Interviewees: Andy Cragg, Rev. Julie van Haaften; Interviewer: Mauricio Interiano (published in 2025)

Season 2.6: A Vision for a New Home at St James United Church

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Starting a new life in Canada is a complex journey, and for many newcomers, standard settlement services may not be enough. Recognizing this, the New Canadians Centre (NCC) expanded beyond the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) and general settlement services to introduce a Case Management team—a bridge of tailored support for those with more complex settlement needs.In this episode, we talk with Salwa, Marisa and Leigha about the role of Case Management in ensuring clients receive the right support at the right time. We’ll explore how this team assists individuals navigating housing, employment, healthcare, and legal systems while also developing essential life skills like digital literacy and financial management.How does case management fill the gap between RAP and settlement services? What impact does this personalized approach have on newcomers’ success?Join us as we dive into the importance of holistic, long-term support for newcomers facing unique settlement challenges.Interviewees: Salwa Mirgani, Leigha MacDiarmid, Marisa Kaczmarczyk; Interviewer: Mauricio Interiano (published in 2025)

Season 2.5: Case Management Services - A Bridge to Tailored Support

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For decades, the New Canadians Centre (NCC) has responded to global and local crises, adapting to support those in need. In Episodes #6 &amp; #7, we explored the Syrian refugee crisis - how it shaped our work and our community’s response. In this episode, we continue the conversation by looking at how NCC has responded to the Ukrainian and Afghan refugee crises and how we continue to adapt to an ever-changing world.Join Marisa Kaczmarczyk, Director of Client Services, as they share insights on emergency response efforts, challenges in refugee resettlement, and the importance of community collaboration.How do organizations like NCC stay prepared for the next crisis? What lessons have we learned from the past, and how can we continue to foster a community of welcome and resilience?Interviewee: Marisa Kaczmarczyk; Interviewer: Mauricio Interiano (published in 2025)

Season 2.4: Responding to the Ukrainian and Afghan Crises in a Changing World

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Reconciliation is an ongoing journey—one that requires reflection, learning, and action. At the New Canadians Centre (NCC), we are committed to Truth and Reconciliation through meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities, education, and systemic change. In this episode, we sit down with Andy Craigg, Mauricio Interiano, and Yvonne Lai to discuss NCC’s Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan and how we are working towards decolonization and stronger relationships with Indigenous communities.We explore key initiatives, including public education events, community partnerships, and opportunities for learning and dialogue, while also acknowledging the challenges and responsibilities that come with this work.What does it truly mean to engage in reconciliation as a newcomer-serving organization? How can we foster relationships built on respect, truth, and action?Interviewees: Andy Cragg, Mauricio Interiano, Yvonne Lai (published in 2025)

Season 2.3: NCC's Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan

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The New Canadians Centre (NCC) supports newcomers in Peterborough and surrounding areas while also working to create a more welcoming and inclusive community for immigrants and refugees. While our settlement and client services have traditionally been a priority, recent years have seen significant growth in our community development efforts. Our Community Development team has expanded, allowing us to enhance our work in both Peterborough and the Northumberland region.In this opening episode, we explore the power of community development, collaboration, and education. Guest speakers Yvonne, Michelle, and Bhisham discuss key local initiatives, including the Community Training Program, Peterborough/ Nogojiwanong Workplace Inclusion Charter, the Our Neighborhood video series, and the importance of public education and partnerships. What does it take to build a resilient, empowered community from the ground up? Interviewees: Bhisham Ramoutar, Michelle Nguyen, Yvonne Lai; Interviewer: Mauricio Interiano (published in 2025)

Season 2.2: The Power of Community Development, Collaboration & Education

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Presenter: Mauricio Interiano (published in 2025)

Season 2.1: Introduction

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Interviewee: Carol Lawless, Hajni Hos; Interviewer: Mauricio Interiano (published in 2016)

Season 1.8: Increasing Capacity to Respond to Change

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Interviewee: Maicel Neema; Interviewer: Mauricio Interiano (published in 2016)

Season 1.7 True to Our Roots: Open Doors and Responding to Refugee Crises Part 2

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Interviewee: Chantal Bouillon; Interviewer: Mauricio Interiano (published in 2016)

Season 1.6: True to our Roots: Open Doors and Responding to Refugee Crises Part 1

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Interviewee: Anne Elliott; Interviewer: Mauricio Interiano (published in 2016)

Season 1.5: Calling Peterborough Home

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Interviewees: Kemi Akapo &amp; Jess Devlin; Interviewer: Mauricio Interiano (published in 2016)

Season 1.4: Frontline Services - Addressing Immediate and Ongoing Needs

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Interviewee: Liana Honsinger; Interviewer: Mauricio Interiano (published in 2016)

Season 1.3: It Takes A Village - Community Engagement

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Interviewee: Jason Stabler; Interviewer: Mauricio Interiano (published in 2016)

Season 1.2: The Path to Creating a More Welcoming and Inclusive Community

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Interviewee: Caitlin Barratt; Interviewer: Mauricio Interiano (published in 2016)

Season 1.1: From the Beginning

Founded in 1979, the New Canadians Centre Peterborough (NCC) is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to supporting immigrants, refugees and other newcomers in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, City and County of Peterborough and Northumberland County.

Listen to these podcasts produced in collaboration with Trent Radio to learn about where we came from and how we have grown over the years.