Building Communities, Celebrating Voices, Creating Belonging
2022
It all began with a storytelling platform at StFX, planting the seeds for what would become X Helping Hands
2023–2024
By 2023– 2024, the initiative expanded to include newcomers, racialized groups, and equity-deserving communities in Antigonish through conversations, storytelling, videos, and giving back, building meaningful bridges between diverse groups and local communities
2025 Mission
In 2025, our mission expanded to BIPOC communities across rural Nova Scotia, including Antigonish and Pictou, through in- person sessions and participation in community events, strengthening the fabric of our shared community
To amplify voices, foster equity, and nurture resilient, connected communities
Founder's Story
Tavneet Kaur’s journey from an international student to a community leader in Nova Scotia is one of resilience and unwavering commitment. Facing the unique challenges of navigation and belonging first-hand, she recognized a gap in support systems for newcomers. This lived experience sparked a mission to create spaces where diverse voices aren’t just heard, but celebrated. Today, Tavneet leads X Helping Hands with a vision root in equity, ensuring that every individual has a platform to thrive and contribute to a more resilient, connected community.
Free community-led solutions
Equity, inclusion, and belonging
Collaboration over competition
Lived experience as expertise
The Mind Behind X HELPING HANDS: Tavneet Kaur
Founder
Tavneet is a first-generation immigrant and newcomer to Nova Scotia who moved here in 2021. She is a secondary math high school educator with CCRCE and an alumna of StFX. Since arriving, Tavneet has been deeply involved with newcomers, immigrants, and local communities, volunteering and contributing to organizations supporting Indigenous youth and multicultural initiatives, including X Project, CMTOLC, EduNova, ACIC Halifax, Clean Foundation, Centre for Migrant Workers Rights and many more.
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Professionally and personally, Tavneet has been actively engaged as a delegate and panelist at numerous local, provincial, and national events such as the EduNova Stay & Stay Retreat Ceremonies (2024 & 2025), ACIC Global Youth Conference 2024, CASSA ACGCS, and the CPA Annual National Conventions 2022 and 2023. Her passion lies in mentorship, community-building, and creating spaces where newcomers feel supported and empowered.
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Outside of her professional work, Tavneet enjoys staying outdoors, practicing yoga, spending time near water, and writing. Her passion lies in mentorship, community-building, and creating spaces where newcomers feel supported and empowered.
Puja Sharma
TEAM MEMBER
Puja Sharma is an immigrant and newcomer who lives in Antigonish and is deeply connected to the community she now calls home. She is the founder of a small business dedicated to bringing joy to kids and pets through thoughtfully chosen toys. Beyond entrepreneurship, community lies at the heart of her work. She actively collaborates on social impact initiatives through X Helping Hands, supporting efforts that bring smiles to people’s faces.
Through her community involvement with X Helping Hands, Puja has facilitated Zumba and henna sessions in Antigonish, creating welcoming and inclusive spaces where people can move, create, express themselves, and simply feel good together. Whether through business or community work, she is passionate about blending creativity, well-being, and service to bring people closer and make a positive impact.
Mariana Nardy
VOLUNTEER
Mariana Nardy is an educator and biologist with over 15 years of experience working at the intersection of education, community, and nature. Her work focuses on environmental education and nature-based learning, creating meaningful opportunities for people to connect with nature in ways that foster care, awareness, and belonging. Through facilitation, community initiatives, and hands-on experiences, she supports learning spaces that value lived experience, collaboration, and collective action.