Growing Together: Martha’s Story of Family and Belonging
For Martha Paul, moving from Nigeria to Saint John in October 2025 was the beginning of a new chapter for her and her family. Looking for a peaceful, close-knit community where her children could thrive, she found more than a new home at the YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick: she found opportunities to learn, grow and belong.
Originally an educator in Nigeria, Martha joined the Y as a supply childcare educator before moving into her current role with the Regional Y’s after-school program.
Working with children has taught her just as much as she teaches them.
“Children are so pure. They teach you a lot of things without even realizing that they are teaching you,” Martha shares. “They mould you and shape you.”
One of the biggest differences she noticed at the Y was its approach to outdoor and play-based learning. Unlike her previous experience in Nigeria, children here explore nature in different weather conditions and learn through hands-on activities that encourage creativity and imagination.
Martha recalls bringing green-dyed rice to a sensory table at the South Hub. The children transformed this simple material into a world of grass, animals and feeding birds.
These experiences have even influenced how she parents her own three children, encouraging them to explore art, experiment and develop their creativity.
A family growing together
Martha’s YMCA experience extends beyond her work. Her children participate in the Y’s free Friday Craft Corner program, and the family enjoys swimming and using the YMCA’s facilities.
Her oldest son, Ayo, also had a memorable summer as a junior counsellor at the Glenn Carpenter Centre. After learning about the opportunity during a conversation with the YMCA’s CEO, Martha encouraged him to apply.
Ayo was selected and spent the summer playing soccer, making connections and building relationships with younger campers. Some children even waited by the gate for him to arrive each morning.
“He had a beautiful summer and so much fun,” Martha recalls.
Seeing her children grow in confidence, independence and connection has been especially meaningful. For Martha, these opportunities reflect what makes the Y special: it supports the whole family, creating spaces where everyone can learn, connect and thrive.
More than a place to work
When Martha describes the YMCA, one word comes naturally: family.
“The Y is a family. The Y is a warm, welcoming set of people who are out to help immigrants and newcomers fit in and settle,” she says.
As a newcomer herself, Martha understands how difficult it can be to navigate a new country without knowing what resources are available. She encourages newcomers to build friendships, get involved in their communities and share the knowledge and skills they bring with them.
“Don't be a newcomer and keep to yourself. Be involved in the community,” she says. “You could offer your time or the little knowledge you have from your home country. It could help make another person's life easier.”
She believes that when people share their experiences and learn from one another, everyone benefits.
“That's how we build a stronger, tighter, better community for each other.”
Martha’s story reminds us that belonging grows through connection, opportunity and a willingness to contribute. At the YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick, we are proud to be part of her family’s journey and to help create a community where everyone has the opportunity to feel at home.
About the YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick
The YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick is a charity dedicated to building healthy, connected communities where everyone belongs. Through health and wellness, newcomer support, child and youth development, and community programs, we remove barriers, stand against racism and exclusion, and ensure people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Help Us Tell More Stories
If you’re reading this and someone from our YMCA community comes to mind whose story deserves to be told, we’d love to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team and share their story so we can continue highlighting the voices, moments, and impact that make our YMCA so special.