New Program Launches at LFS to Mentor and Support Newcomer Youth
Lethbridge Family Services is proud to introduce a new initiative, the Newcomer Youth Mentorship and Leadership Development (NYMLD) project. This innovative prevention program is designed to support newcomer youth aged 16 to 24 and help them build positive, successful futures.
Funded through Public Safety Canada's National Crime Prevention Strategy, the NYMLD project recognizes the tremendous potential of newcomer and refugee youth by providing opportunities to build leadership skills, develop meaningful community connections, and contribute positively to the communities they now call home.
The year-round program provides weekly group activities and individualized support for newcomer youth in a safe, supportive, and engaging environment.
Program activities include:
Leadership and mentorship training
Career and employment counselling
Community volunteering opportunities
Workshops led by guest speakers
Social, creative, and recreational activities
Field trips and cultural celebrations
Youth-led events and community initiatives
Ricardo Campos Azueta, Youth Mentorship Supervisor in the Immigrant Services Department of LFS, speaks to members of the media about the launch of the new program.
Ricardo Campos Azueta, Youth Mentorship Supervisor in the Immigrant Services Department of LFS, states, "We see potential in newcomer youth. We value them. We want them to succeed. When they are welcomed, supported, and given opportunities to lead, our entire community benefits."
At its core, the project sends a simple message to newcomer youth: your voice matters. The NYMLD project provides newcomer youth with opportunities to build relationships, develop leadership skills, and become active participants in community life. By investing in their potential today, we help create a stronger and more connected community for tomorrow.
The NYMLD Project focuses on four key objectives:
Promoting career readiness
Engaging families and communities
Building sustainable community support networks
Enhancing access to community resources
Community partners of the Newcomer Youth Mentorship and Leadership Development (NYMLD) program gathered on June 30, 2026 to officially launch the program.
In addition to working directly with youth, the project brings together community stakeholders to better understand and respond to local factors affecting newcomer youth. The initiative is delivered by Lethbridge Family Services in partnership with community organizations, including the Lethbridge Police Service, Youth One, Wood’s Homes, the Lethbridge Public Library, the YMCA, the Lethbridge Sport Council, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lethbridge and District.
"Isolation and a lack of support can easily steer a young person toward problem behaviours. Our mission is to shift that narrative. When we invest in newcomer youth by enhancing their protective factors and giving them a safe space to grow, they transform from at-risk individuals into empowered leaders and mentors who uplift our entire community." Says Ricardo Campos Azueta.
Lethbridge Family Services believes that when young people are equipped with the tools, support, and opportunities they need to succeed, they become leaders who strengthen families, enrich communities, and inspire future generations.
Lethbridge Family Services provides highly-accredited health and social services to over 9,000 individuals and families in more than 30 communities in southwestern Alberta, through the professional services of more than 360 staff, and the support of over 500 committed volunteers. LFS's vision is a connected and inclusive community where people thrive.
Media Contact:
Michelle Gallucci
Director, Advancement & Communications
Lethbridge Family Services
MGallucci@LFSfamily.ca
403-915-8028
