When Mussa first arrived in Winnipeg in December 2023, he was immediately confronted with the first of many challenges he would face as he settled into his new life.
“Back home, it is plus 24 or 26 in the winter,” said Mussa. “But here it is minus!”
Originally from Chad, Mussa travelled thousands of kilometres and crossed several international borders, including those of Turkey, Mexico, and the United States, before finally settling in Canada.
Mussa arrived with very limited English, few resources, and no local connections. He spent his early days in Winnipeg, isolated and living in a shelter as he tried to navigate life in a city where everything felt new and unfamiliar.
“I didn’t know any person here,” he said. “I could only say, ‘good morning, how are you?’ in English, but here in Manitoba, everyone speaks English.”
When Mussa heard about the Canadian Muslim Women’s Institute (CMWI), a United Way Winnipeg-funded organization that supports newcomers and their families, he was initially skeptical.
“When I first came [to CMWI], I thought they only had classes for women, not for men,” explained Mussa. “But they said there are programs for every person, so I said, ‘okay, what’s the address? I’ll come.’”
At the time, Mussa was struggling to meet basic needs. Living in a shelter made it difficult to access everyday essentials, but the moment he stepped through the doors, CMWI immediately provided practical support: food, clothing, and a gift card to help him buy necessities.
“The first time I could go to the store and buy chicken, I was so happy,” he said. “I thought I was in my home country!”
“United Way has allowed us to build the foundation of the organization and then start looking for external funding to complement what we already have and how we can build upon that.”
Eve Sotiriadou, Executive Director of CMWI, says that supporting newcomers means looking beyond any single challenge and understanding the whole picture.
“We try to take it through holistic lenses,” she said. “The individual who comes through the door is not alone. They have a system or some sort of support community, and we want to make sure that’s incorporated into how we’re trying to address their needs and concerns.”
Over the years, CMWI has evolved to support people and families throughout the newcomer community, not just women. Through programs focused on wellness, employment, financial empowerment, food security, settlement support, and community connection, CMWI helps newcomers build stability and independence.
“We gradually started inviting men to our programming through outreach,” said Eve. “We realized that men want physical activity to be incorporated into the wellness program, not just talk. So physical activity, food, and then finding them where they are more comfortable—and that oftentimes can be at the mosque or community centre—rather than expecting them to walk through our doors.”
For Mussa, one of the most important sources of support he found at CMWI was the English Conversation Circle.
“When I first came to Canada, I had very limited English skills,” he said. “It was difficult to understand conversations, write messages, or communicate through emails.”
Twice a week, he attended classes. Each time a session ended, he signed up again.
“Now I can do anything,” he said.
CMWI also helped Mussa apply for Employment and Income Assistance, access government benefits, file his taxes, and begin his job search.
After receiving help studying for his driver’s test, he earned his Manitoba driver’s licence and saved up to buy a car—one of his proudest achievements to date.
“The first time I came in here, I didn’t know any faces. But now, I have family.”
“I came here to tell them I got it,” he said. “And [they were] so happy for me.”
He now supplements his income by driving for Amazon and Uber.
Looking back at his first visit to CMWI, Mussa says the difference between then and now is hard to put into words.
“It’s night and day,” he said. “When I first came here, I was living in the shelter. Now I have my house, my car, my job, I eat anything I want, and I sleep well. I am so happy.”
Creating a sense of community is something Eve says is deeply important to CMWI’s work. Many staff members have experienced the newcomer journey themselves and understand what it feels like to arrive in Canada without the familiarity of home.
“We have a direct experience with what it means coming to Canada with no language, no community, and building that community,” she said. “And you get to see that appreciation, eventually, with someone who constantly comes in, and they express to you their gratitude verbally, physically—they want to hug you.”
For newcomers, especially those who arrive alone, like Mussa, that sense of community can be life-changing.
“The first time I came in here, I didn’t know any faces,” he said. “But now, I have family.”
Eve says that support from United Way Winnipeg donors is essential to providing those moments of connection and to the practical support CMWI offers to help newcomers overcome barriers, build confidence, and create new beginnings.
“Everything we do is because of United Way,” said Eve. “The foundation of our organization, our key positions, are supported by United Way.”
CMWI depends heavily on external funding, and the consistent, reliable support from United Way Winnipeg enables them to focus on community needs.
“United Way has allowed us to build the foundation of the organization and then start looking for external funding to complement what we already have and how we can build upon that,” said Eve. “We are able to know that if tomorrow most of the funding goes away, we will still be able to provide the food bank. We’ll still be able to provide case management. We will still be able to provide financial empowerment.”
For Mussa, the support he’s received from CMWI is why he’s smiling so brightly today, and he says the knowledge and confidence he’s developed have enabled him to support and guide other newcomers.
“If you want help, you can get it here,” he said. “If you want safety, you can get it here. Now I have been here for almost three years, and for my life, I am so happy.”
