The North Bay & District Multicultural Centre opened in January 2008 at 374 Fraser Street. It came about as the result of more than two years of work by the North Bay Newcomer Network, spearheaded by the Mayor's Office of Economic Development.

The Centre was a project of Young People's Press, a nonprofit incorporated organization, governed by a volunteer board of directors. Young People's Press has a long history of leading anti-racism and organizational change projects across Canada. Since then the Centre was incorporated in its own right with the same board of directors.

We are the federal government-delegated provider of settlement and mentorship services for newcomers to Canada.

One-on-one job search support will be provided and referrals may be made to other appropriate employment agencies.

We offer a full range of confidential settlement services and newcomer information. Drop by and see us or phone ahead for an appointment.

	Executive Director Don Curry doncurry@nbdmc.ca Don Curry has lived in most Canadian provinces, England and Germany. A former newspaper reporter and editor, he has been in North Bay since 1978, working as a journalism professor and public affairs director at Canadore College, vice-president of The Canadian Centre for Social Justice, and executive director of The Canadian Ecology Centre, Young People's Press and the North Bay & District Multicultural Centre. Don and his wife Mary have two adult boys, Bill and Christopher, daughter-in-law Amy and the love of their lives, granddaughter Megan.
	Program Coordinator Deborah Robertson deborahrobertson@nbdmc.ca Deborah Robertson emigrated to Canada from England in 2008 after working in the book publishing industry in London. She immediately got involved as a volunteer with the North Bay & District Multicultural Centre, both in the office and as a Host program volunteer. Deborah is replacing Program Coordinator Ann Welsh who is on maternity leave. Deborah and husband Chris purchased a home in North Bay and are active members of the community.
	Office Manager Tara Gillies taragillies@nbdmc.ca Tara Gillies spent her early years in Nigeria and was with Young People's Press for many years. She keeps our financial records and is the Iron Lady of allocating office supplies. She designed this website, and many others, and assists with special events. Tara enjoys an active life in the country with her husband Mike and son Ryan.
	Community Connections Vindra Sahadeo vindrasahadeo@nbdmc.ca Vindra Sahadeo came to North Bay from Trinidad & Tobago in 2008 and worked at Nipissing University while volunteering at the North Bay & District Multicultural Centre, where she now works full-time. Vindra has an M.A. degree in psychology and many years of experience as a high school and university teacher. Vindra and husband Ram purchased a home in North Bay and quickly became part of the community. Their daughter, Anusha, is a student at Chippewa Secondary School.
	Settlement Program Taslima Ahmed taslimaahmed@nbdmc.ca Taslima Ahmed is originally from Bangladesh and can communicate in English, Bengali, Urdu and Hindi. She is also able to read and write Arabic. She is a graduate of the University of Dhaka in Bangladesh, with a Master of Arts degree in Sociology. She is also a graduate of the Social Service Worker Program at Canadore College. She lives in North Bay with her husband, Ainul and daughter Faisa. Taslima is now on maternity leave.
	North Bay Newcomer Network Project Officer Laura-Jane Coté laurajanecote@nbdmc.ca Laura-Jane Coté took an early retirement from the Ontario Government to return to North Bay. She held a number of senior management positions with the Ontario Public Service and led a variety of initiatives aimed at transforming service delivery across the environmental and human service sectors. She works from the North Bay & District Multicultural Centre for the North Bay Newcomer Network, a consortium of local partners working on a variety of immigration issues in the region.
	Settlement Program Cindy Collins cindycollins@nbdmc.ca Cindy Collins is a graduate from Nipissing University with a B.A. (Hons.) in Regional Planning and International Development. She was born and raised in the beautiful city of North Bay. She spent three months in Madagascar volunteering for a non-governmental organization doing both humanitarian and conservation work. Upon return, she continued volunteering at the North Bay & District Multicultural Centre in the front office where she now works as a Settlement Counsellor. She has travelled extensively in Southeast Asia.
	Francophone Outreach Coordinator Maryline Pillet mpillet@nbdmc.ca Maryline Pillet emigrated to Canada from France in 2007. She began her Canadian experience in Alfred, Ontario and later moved to Powassan. Maryline is educated in a multiplicity of subjects, holding an M.A. in Language and Italian Literature. Her professional experience is as far reaching as her native country, with backgrounds in agriculture, coaching, counseling, translating, and teaching. She is able to communicate fluently in four languages; English, French, Italian and Spanish, and is always ready to embrace new languages as opportunities to further her life experiences.
	Settlement Program Shaye Belanger shayebelanger@nbdmc.ca Shaye graduated from Nipissing University with a B.A in sociology and social welfare. She was born and raised in New Liskeard, ON and came to North Bay to go to school and decided to stay and pursue her career. Shaye enjoys volunteering with many different organizations, such as the Good Life for Women in childminding, Scouts Canada as a casual Cub leader, Big Brothers, Big Sisters as a casual volunteer and with Habitat for Humanity Nipissing University Alumni Chapter. She enjoys volleyball and baseball.
	Immigrant Researcher Intern Meg Ramore megramore@nbdmc.ca Meg Ramore is a graduate of McMaster University with a double B.A (Hons.) in women's studies and sociology. She was raised in beautiful Corbeil (an outlying area of North Bay). She is an active volunteer in the feminist and the lesbian, gay, bisexual &transgender community. Sheis also a longtime volunteer at Amelia Rising Sexual Assault Centre of Nipissing. Meg and her partner Chris share a home in North Bay with their two rescue dogs Oliver Quartz and Pugsly Mae.
	Employer Liaison Johnathan Thackray johnathanthackray@nbdmc.ca Johnathan grew up in Toronto and "immigrated" to North Bay in 2005 to begin studying at Nipissing University. He graduated with a B.A. (Hons.) in classical studies and history. He also completed his B.Ed. and is a member of the Ontario College of Teachers. Johnathan is passionate about teaching (especially history) and loves working with young people. He is fluent in English and French and needs to keep practicing his Latin and German.

 

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