This article was written in July 2025 and published in January 2026.
I feel more confident because I had good opportunities to communicate with Canadian people and deepen my understanding of Canadian culture."
Elena
Ukrainian newcomer who built skills in the New Foundations program
Elena* made the decision to start over—again.
Originally from Ukraine, she had already rebuilt her life once after moving to Israel in 1993. She worked as a civil engineer for 23 years, building a career and raising her family. But after years of conflict and uncertainty in Israel, Elena and her husband made the difficult choice to leave once more. In 2020, they came to Canada through a family sponsorship from their daughter.
“Our first visit to Canada was in 2012, when our granddaughter was born,” she says. “We liked Canada from our first visit, but we decided to move after several wars in Israel.”
Starting over in a new country at that stage in life wasn’t easy for Elena. Even after several years in Canada, some essential tasks didn’t come easily. Filing taxes and finding affordable groceries—key parts of settling in—felt confusing and overwhelming at times.
Then a friend told Elena about New Foundations, a free program offered by MCC BC in Victoria. It supports newcomers through group workshops on topics like budgeting, job search skills and stress management, along with one-on-one support and a community kitchen that teaches healthy, low-cost cooking with Canadian ingredients. For Elena, that support made all the difference.
Elena came to the program with strong computer skills, having worked with computers for many years. “I used my computer skills, especially Excel, to fill out spreadsheets,” she says. While she had always been good with money, budgeting in a new country was a challenge. “I learned a lot about managing my finances,” she shares. “It changed the way I shop, how I look for sale prices, and use flyers.” The program built on what she already knew and helped her apply those skills in a Canadian context, making it easier to navigate new systems.
But the program gave her more than practical skills. Elena also found a sense of connection and belonging – both deeply important when learning a new language and culture feels isolating. “I feel more confident because I had good opportunities to communicate with Canadian people and deepen my understanding of Canadian culture,” she says.
One milestone Elena is proud of is filing her own taxes for the first time. It wasn’t just paperwork—it showed she was starting to feel at home and growing in confidence as she steadily learned to manage life in Canada with quiet determination and hard work.
For others thinking about joining the program, Elena doesn’t hesitate to say, “My advice is to join this program because it’s very friendly and helpful.”
Elena’s experience reflects the strength and resilience newcomers bring as they adapt their skills to life in Canada. With support from the MCC BC New Foundations program, she gained confidence and a true sense of belonging, marked by milestones like filing her own taxes in Canada for the first time—a meaningful step toward stability and independence. Her journey is a powerful reminder that with encouragement and the right support, newcomers don’t just survive—they can grow, find belonging and truly thrive in their new home.
*Last name is withheld for confidentiality.
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