ISANS Award Winner, 2023
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) has named the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth as the recipient of the 2023 ISANS Award.
“ISANS, as a settlement agency with over 40 years of delivering services to immigrants, recognizes we can not do this work alone. We value and appreciate the partnership we have with the YMCA that strengthens our capacity and amplifies the work of settlement service agencies in our province that is so critical right now,” Jennifer Watts, ISANS CEO.
The ISANS award recognizes a business, employer, organization, or individual who has demonstrated exceptional and innovative efforts welcoming immigrants to Nova Scotia and helping them successfully integrate with the community.
The YMCA has been delivering services to immigrants in Nova Scotia for over 30 years. Working with newcomer families, children and youth, the YMCA provides a variety of programs and services that help create a welcoming and inclusive environment. From in-school support to health and well-being and language instruction, YMCA Immigrant Services meets people where they are and helps navigate their settlement needs. ISANS particularly recognizes their lead role in coordinating the province’s humanitarian response to the crisis in Ukraine.
“We embrace a wraparound approach to settlement programs and services because, at the Y, we believe everyone deserves a safe place to live, meaningful employment, access to affordable childcare, inclusive places to get active and healthy, and people who care and take time to help with whatever needs may arise. We are grateful for our longstanding partnerships with organizations like ISANS and are honoured to receive this acknowledgment,” says Lorrie Turnbull, Chief Development Officer at the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth.
With this award, we thank and celebrate the YMCA Immigrant Services team for being a great partner and for being an organization that is an example of ISANS’ vision: a community where all can belong and grow.
ISANS presented the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth with the 2023 ISANS Award at our annual general meeting on June 19th.
Jennifer Watts, ISANS CEO (far left) and Lilani Kumaranayake, Chair, Board of Directors, ISANS (middle) with those receiving the award for the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth.