From Newcomer to Community Leader: Zeina’s YMCA Journey

For Zeina, YMCA is more than a place — it’s an integral part of her story.

Now 21 years old and preparing to graduate from Lambton College’s Child and Youth Care program this April, Zeina is completing her final placement with the YMCA’s Newcomer Program in Sarnia. But her connection to the Y began long before that.

“I was actually a newcomer myself,” Zeina shares. “When I first came to Canada, I didn’t know English. I didn’t know how to be involved in the community.”

Zeina and her family came to Canada after leaving Syria during the war. Adjusting to a new country brought many challenges: learning a new language, adapting to unfamiliar systems, and finding a sense of belonging.

“It was really stressful,” she recalls. “I didn’t feel like I was part of the community yet.” Over time, that began to change.

Through YMCA programs like after‑school support, English as a Second Language programming, and camps, Zeina found opportunities that helped spark her confidence, practice her English, and connect with others.

“The Y helped me so much,” she says. “Everything YMCA did for me before, I’m trying to do the same right now.”

A Full‑Circle Experience

When it came time to choose a placement for her Child and Youth Care program, Zeina knew exactly where she wanted to go.

“I chose YMCA because it’s related to my background,” she explains.

After submitting her resume and completing an interview, she joined YMCA’s Newcomer Program team — the same type of program that once supported her. Now, she helps ignite welcoming spaces for newcomers who are navigating many of the same experiences she once faced.

“We try to create a safe environment for them; a place where they feel welcome,” she says.

Whether helping participants practice English or simply offering encouragement, Zeina is passionate about supporting others as they settle into their new community — a reminder of what can happen when we are greater together.

Helping Others Feel at Home

Nearly nine years after arriving in Canada, Zeina is now a Canadian citizen and a soon‑to‑be graduate. For her, Canada represents safety, opportunity, and a chance to give back.

“Canada feels safe,” she says. “I’m really glad I’m here.”

Through her work at the Y, Zeina is helping other newcomers shine as they build confidence, form connections, and begin thriving in the communities they now call home.

What started as a search for support has become a pathway to leadership — and a powerful example of how the right opportunities can unlock a young person’s potential.