By Jean-Pierre Niyitanga

Opportunities to form and join social and community networks are one of the characteristics of a welcoming community. For newcomers, these networks do more than ease the settlement journey—they foster a sense of belonging and contribute to mental, social, and physical well-being. They are especially important for seniors, who may experience loneliness and isolation as they grow older, particularly after retirement, the loss of a spouse, or when their children become independent.

Creating these opportunities does not always require a large initiative. Sometimes, they begin with one person recognizing a need and working with an organization to respond. That is exactly what happened at the Catholic Centre for Immigrants (CCI), where settlement counsellor Afarin Beglari launched what would become CCI’s Farsi-Speaking Seniors’ Program.

After decades of working as a settlement counsellor, Afarin saw that many older immigrants could not easily learn English making it difficult to build social connections and left many of them feeling isolated. Drawing on her experience as a CCI settlement counsellor, she developed a weekly gathering that became CCI’s Farsi-Speaking Seniors’ Program. The program gives participants a place to socialize in their own language, maintain cultural connections, make new friends, and learn about community resources that can improve their quality of life.

A Program That Builds Belonging

Every Wednesday afternoon, CCI welcomes Farsi-speaking seniors through its Farsi-Speaking Seniors’ Program. By scheduling the gathering on Wednesdays, the program removes one of the barriers many participants face—seniors can ride public transit for free that day.

A social person herself, Afarin has always enjoyed bringing people together and will do everything possible to ensure maximum participation. She wants participants to stay informed about community events, services, and activities that could help them become more engaged in their new home.

Over the past two decades, what began as one woman’s initiative has grown into a vibrant community where participants connect, share experiences, and support one another. Choosing Wednesday was intentional because seniors can ride public transit for free.

More Than a Weekly Gathering

The program has welcomed more than 130 seniors and has become much more than a weekly social gathering. Each session features activities such as singing, jokes, puzzles, Iranian dancing, guest speakers, and shared readings. More importantly, it offers something many participants say is difficult to find elsewhere: the feeling of spending an afternoon with friends and family. It is a place where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and included.

Through CCI’s Farsi-Speaking Seniors’ Program, participants build friendships, access trusted information, and strengthen their connections to their community.

For Hadi M. Poor, 77, the program provides an opportunity to speak his language, reconnect with his culture, and spend time with people who share similar experiences. Since joining the group 18 months ago, he has also benefited from presentations on practical topics such as medication management, computers, banking, opening accounts, and fraud prevention.

“We learn many things from this class. They bring people to talk with us, and we learn things we did not know before,” says Hadi.

For Ali Gannad, 81, the program is more than a place to socialize—it is a place to give back. After immigrating from Iran about 15 years ago, he built a career working on the front lines of settlement services before retiring. Having experienced the challenges of starting a new life in Canada, he now shares his knowledge with others, offering advice on finding housing, searching for employment, volunteering, and adapting to life in a new country. Through these conversations, participants learn from one another, expand their social networks, and strengthen their sense of belonging.

Building Connections Across Generations

The program also creates opportunities for younger generations to become involved. Newcomer youth are welcome to volunteer at up to four sessions, with four volunteers participating at each gathering. In recognition of their contribution, volunteers receive a Certificate of Appreciation signed by the program manager, which they can include on their résumé as valuable Canadian volunteer experience.

Most volunteers begin by helping to prepare and serve tea and snacks, making sure every participant feels welcomed and comfortable. As relationships develop, many become trusted companions to the seniors, assisting with everyday tasks such as accompanying them to community events, medical appointments, banks, and other appointments. Some also provide interpretation when needed. These friendships often lead to additional opportunities—volunteers may receive paid work, be referred to friends and family members of participants for employment and gain valuable Canadian work experience. At the same time, seniors and newcomers learn from one another, exchanging knowledge, life experiences, and practical advice that strengthens connections across generations.

A Legacy That Continues

At 81, Afarin continues to inspire others through her energy, compassion, and commitment to her community. Though she is retired from CCI, she continues to lead CCI’s Farsi-Speaking Seniors’ Program as a volunteer, taking care of her grand-children and supporting seniors and newcomers alike.

Her story is a reminder that welcoming communities are created one connection at a time—and that one person’s vision can have a lasting impact.

“No matter your age, you can still make a difference,” she says.

Interested in referring a client or learning more about the Farsi-Speaking Seniors’ Program? Contact CCI at 613-232-9634 or info@cciottawa.ca.