Salvation Army worker receives award for work with refugees and immigrants

Marie Kettle works to assist immigrants settle into their new lives through The Salvation Army’s Atlantic Refugee and Immigrant Services (ARIS) Project. As Settlement Coordinator of the ARIS Project, Kettle provides assistance with immigration forms, referrals, information and support to newcomers.

“The ARIS Project has been part of The Salvation Army for four years now,” Kettle says. “Since 2009, we have worked with other organizations and developed the project we have today.”

Kettle was recently honoured for her work when named the recipient of the Mohamed Hashish Award – an individual ISIS Award dedicated in the memory of Mohamed Hashish, who worked as the Financial Comptroller of MISA (now ISIS) for many years. The ISIS Awards recognize individuals, community groups, businesses or employers who demonstrate exceptional and innovative efforts in welcoming immigrants to Nova Scotia, and in assisting them integrate into the community successfully.

“It feels good to see ARIS where it is now, because we really struggled to develop the project and to get it where we are today,” Kettle explains. “It is nice to be recognized for the work we have done and continue to do. There is a real need and demand for our services, and I hope we can continue to serve these clients.”

ISIS, Immigrant Settlement and Integration Services, regularly refers their most complex cases to Kettle – cases of children left behind, spouses separated due to conflict and many other complicated immigration situations. Thanks to her compassion, dedication and legal knowledge, Kettle is able to help those in need – offering free support services to ISIS clients who would otherwise not be able to pay the fees of a lawyer.

The ARIS Project is run out of the Spryfield Community Church and Family Resource Centre, located at 328 Herring Cove Road.