Building Stronger Futures in Newcomer Communities in Rural Nova Scotia.
New Roots is a community-based project that supports immigrant, migrant, and newcomer women and families in rural Nova Scotia.
The project brings people together through welcoming events, practical learning, and community connection. New Roots focuses on financial literacy, economic safety, well-being, and access to support. Many newcomer women and families face challenges when settling in a new community. This can include isolation, language barriers, lack of transportation, financial stress, and not knowing where to go for help. For some women, money, immigration documents, work, or family responsibilities may also be used as ways to control them.
New Roots creates gentle, practical, and culturally responsive learning opportunities where participants can build confidence, learn about their rights, and connect with local supports.
New Roots is a collaborative project led with the support and knowledge of community partners.
Partners include the Immigrant Migrant Women’s Association of Halifax, We Worthy Women, the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia, and the Atlantic Muslim Resource Centre.
Together, these partners bring experience in gender-based violence prevention, settlement support, community care, rural outreach, and culturally responsive programming.
New Roots also includes feedback from a Community Advisory Circle made up of people with community knowledge and lived experience. Their guidance helps make sure the project is relevant, respectful, and useful for newcomer communities.
New Roots is for immigrant, migrant, and newcomer women and families in Nova Scotia, especially those living in rural communities. You do not need to have perfect English to participate. The sessions use simple language, visuals, examples, and group discussion to make information easier to understand. You also do not need to share personal stories. Participants can take part in the way that feels comfortable for them.
Financial safety is an important part of overall safety and well-being. For many newcomer women, money can be connected to many parts of life, including housing, work, immigration, transportation, childcare, family responsibilities, and access to services.
Sometimes, financial abuse or economic control can be hard to recognize. It may look like someone controlling bank accounts, taking income, creating debt in another person’s name, hiding documents, giving false information about immigration, or stopping someone from working or studying.
New Roots helps participants learn how to recognize these situations and understand that support is available. The project also helps local organizations and facilitators better understand the realities newcomer women may face, so communities can respond with more care, dignity, and cultural understanding.
New Roots sessions will take place in rural communities in Nova Scotia.
More information about upcoming sessions, registration, location, and transportation support will be shared on this page and through IMWAH’s social media.
For questions about New Roots, please contact: paula.raudales@imwah.org
IMWAH acknowledges that our work takes place in Mi'kma'ki, the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq people
