About

Newcomer Centre of Peel (NCP) is a multi-service agency that assists the entire newcomer family in achieving settlement. With experience and expertise in English language training; employment, business start-up and comprehensive settlement services including programs for women, youth and seniors; NCP offers a dedication to service quality. Through innovation and a progressive attitude, we leverage the broad experience of our staff and community partners to overcome settlement barriers.

We strive for equal access to opportunities, enabling immigrants to connect to the enduring values and principles of what defines Canada. NCP, working with funding from Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC); hopes to foster loyalty towards Canada from our new immigrants and their families. We encourage this by providing a variety of holistic services in a friendly and open atmosphere. Our vision is to continue to evolve together as a community!

Our Core Values

Our Mission Statement

We are dedicated to touching the lives of people by providing quality, customized and innovative settlement services in a safe, confidential and respectful environment

Meet Our Executive Director

Picture of Effat Ghassemi

EFFAT GHASSEMI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Effat Ghassemi has been involved with the immigrant and refugee communities since 1988. Her professional career is dedicated to serving newcomers to Canada for their settlement and integration. She has demonstrated determination and passion towards building a welcoming community in Mississauga. Her community work has touched thousands of newcomer families upon their arrival by providing guidance and support in terms of employment, business start-up, continuing education, network building and other settlement issues. She is a tireless advocate for gender equality and racial harmony. Her efforts have been directed towards increasing social inclusion and innovation as means to sustaining vital services. She is well known for serving on many advisory committees for different causes, for example, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI), Peel Newcomer Strategy Group (PNSG) and Mississauga Summit Tasks Force. She is a mentor and role model to her peers and immigrant communities. She has a Masters Degree in Immigration and Settlement Studies.

Meet Our Board of Members

CHARLIE X.T. MA, J.D., CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Charlie is a lawyer and founding partner of Lee & Ma LLP. He focuses on residential and commercial real estate purchases and sales, financing and leasing. Charlie received his B.Sc with honours from the University of Waterloo and J.D. from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.

ESTHER U OKEKE, VICE CHAIR

Esther is a lawyer and originally from Nigeria. She has attended the Enhanced Language Training Program (ELT) at NCP and has also volunteered with NCP in the past. Esther is presently practicing law in the GTA.

NATE O. FUKS PHD, TREASURER

Dr. Nate Fuks is the founder and chairman of Pride Psychotherapy Team and a private practice psychologist at the Argyle Institute of Human Relations in Montreal, specializing in working with LGBTQ people, immigrants, refugees, and ethnic minorities. Prior to joining the Argyle, Nate pursued an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University, and has established himself in a number of challenging and evolving leadership roles, in both the public and private sector. He offers service to clients in four languages, and during his career was involved in a variety of international and multi-cultural ventures. Nate’s industry observations and experiences raised his awareness of the importance of newcomer and minority integration, and inspired his interest and ongoing involvement in both research, as well as community initiatives pertinent to these issues. As a result, Nate has completed his PhD in Counselling Psychology at McGill University. After graduating, Nate continued as a course lecturer at McGill; his research these days revolves mostly around identities and mental health of LGBTQ immigrants and refugees.

SATISH PATHAK, BOARD MEMBER

Satish has been involved with immigration settlement for over two decades. He specializes in employment trends and labour adjustments and is actively involved in the community. His vast experience and skill has earned him numerous awards and recognition over the years, including an award for community services from the Governor-General of Canada.

DAVID FISHER, BOARD MEMBER

David is a senior facilitator and performance consultant with 20 years experience developing customized learning solutions for major North American corporations. His work, spanning a wide range of industries and subject matter, has received several prestigious awards including the 2008 Award of Excellence through the International Society for Performance Improvement.

STEVEN NOUSSIS, BOARD MEMBER

Steven Noussis brings a wealth of knowledge to NCP with over 25 years of entrepreneurial and sales experience in the banking and service industries. He has taken an interest in multi-cultural community projects and initiatives including being part of RBC’s participation in Mosaic: Mississauga’s South Asian Cultural Festival. He has participated in the Mississauga Board of Trade and Brampton Enterprise Centres. His involvement with the Business Improvement Association of the Village of Islington provides Steven with a unique perspective on the impact of people within a local and ever-evolving community.