About X Helping Hands
X Helping Hands began in 2022 as a storytelling platform, created to give international students at StFX a space to share their lived experiences related to housing, adaptation, and the challenges they face while building a new life away from home. It was a space to listen, learn, and honor their voices.
In 2023-24, X Helping Hands expanded its focus to newcomers and community members in Antigonish and Pictou, highlighting stories of how local communities support them in making this place feel like home. Participants shared reflections on belonging, cultural exchange, and the everyday acts of care that create connection and understanding.
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By 2025, X Helping Hands extended its outreach to all of rural Nova Scotia, widening its scope to include BIPOC newcomers, international students, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and local allies. The work now combines in-person sessions, community events, and experiential workshops that explore sustainable development goals, environmental stewardship, climate awareness, and deep engagement with the land of the Mi’kmaq people.
X Helping Hands is continually growing, with plans to expand outreach across Nova Scotia while maintaining its mission: to amplify voices, foster equity, and nurture resilient, connected communities. Our goal is to create spaces where everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive — learning, reflecting, and taking meaningful action together.
Founder's story
Founded by Tavneet Kaur, XHH is shaped by her journey as an international student turned educator, mentor, speaker, and community leader. Through academic, professional, and grassroots experiences, Tavneet brings a systems-level understanding of student needs and community collaboration.
Our Values
Community-led solutions
Collaboration over competition
Equity, inclusion, and belonging
Lived experience as expertise
The mind behind X Helping Hands
TAVNEET KAUR
Founder and Executive Director
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.
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.
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.
To learn more or connect with Tavneet, visit her LinkedIn
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PUJA SHARMA
Facilitator
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
Facilitator
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.