BC Parks Foundation

Newcomers Find Hope and Home in Nature this Season

In early November, fifty women and thirteen children, many having arrived in BC just weeks earlier, boarded a ferry bound for Bowen Island. Organized by REACH Community Health Centre, the day promised something more than a simple outing—it was a chance for newcomers to find healing, belonging, and a fresh start in the beauty of BC’s natural spaces. 

“From the moment we stepped on the ferry, the breathtaking views and peaceful ocean trip set the tone for the day,” says Inas Lasheen, a facilitator at REACH who coordinates

REACH’s Middle Eastern Women’s Support Group. “We all had a moment of deep calm and connection with nature, right from the start.” 

Inas knows firsthand how powerful time in nature can be. Born in Egypt, she immigrated to Canada in 2000, eventually settling in Vancouver in 2003. “When I arrived, I was truly amazed by the beauty of Vancouver,” she says. “I joined hiking groups, explored new trails, and discovered how being in nature helped me relax and unwind. It became a crucial part of my life—improving my mental and physical health in ways I didn’t even realize I needed.” 

Her connection to REACH started as a client when she was looking to build her own support network in a new country. “REACH helped me settle and feel at home. I began volunteering with them, and now I’m here, working to help others who are on the same journey I was.” 

For these women who’ve arrived from Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, and other Middle Eastern countries, adjusting to life in BC can sometimes feel overwhelming. Settling into a country brings challenges—navigating new systems, learning a new language, and finding support networks—often while missing family and friends they’ve left behind. 

To help them reconnect with themselves and each other, Inas and her team planned a day filled with simple yet powerful experiences: communal picnics, nature walks along Bowen Island’s trails, and joyful dance sessions. 

One of the most powerful moments of the day was when Inas pulled out the Bluetooth speaker and played traditional songs from the different home countries of the participants. They joined hands and danced to the music together under the trees.  

“The point is for them to connect to both their bodies and to nature, and to get all the physical and mental health benefits of that,” says Inas. “And it works!” she laughs. “One woman told me that when she returned home, her husband said, ‘Wow! You’re so happy and peaceful. You need to go on these trips all the time, if this is how it makes you feel.”  

Another participant shared, “It feels so good to be with people who understand and support each other. We are not alone.” 

The science backs what these women felt. Just twenty minutes in nature lowers stress and improves mental well-being—benefits that grow the more time we spend outdoors. For newcomers building a life in a new country, these moments of connection can bring much-needed relief. 

It also brings a sense of belonging and shared values. Our identity as British Columbians is deeply interwoven with enjoying parks and natural spaces responsibly, and giving back to help keep them beautiful. Giving people a chance to experience that right away reinforces that these spaces are also a part of their new home—to enjoy and protect forever. 

“This day gave the women something we all need: a chance to feel present, connected, and hopeful,” says Inas. “The smiles, the laughter, and the peaceful energy they brought home—it’s proof that time in nature can truly heal.” 

Through the Spark Fund, BC Parks Foundation enables community groups like REACH to bring people into nature, where—among the fresh air and green spaces—they find community, resilience, and hope. 

Your support makes this possible! Donate to the Spark Fund today and help more people experience the life-changing power of BC’s parks and protected areas.