Antigonish, NS
Tavneet Kaur
Tavneet Kaur is a young community leader, educator, and founder of X Helping Hands, a community initiative rooted in storytelling, belonging, and equity. Originally from India, she moved to Nova Scotia in 2021 and now works as a secondary mathematics teacher with the Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education. Her work is shaped by her lived experience as a newcomer in Antigonish and Pictou, where she supports international students, newcomers, and BIPOC community members. Tavneet is actively involved with organizations such as ACIC Halifax, EduNova, Clean Foundation, the Centre for Migrant Worker Rights, and the X Project. She has also participated as a delegate and panelist at events including the EduNova Stay & Stay Retreat, ACIC Global Youth Conference, and CASSA. Through X Helping Hands, she continues to create inclusive spaces for leadership, connection, and community across Nova Scotia.
X Helping Hands
X Helping Hands is a community-led initiative that amplifies the voices of international students, newcomers, and BIPOC communities across Nova Scotia. Founded in 2022 as a storytelling platform at StFX, it has grown to include community events, skill-sharing, and land-based learning. Grounded in the Sustainable Development Goals, the project fosters belonging, promotes inclusion, and supports leadership development by centering lived experiences and building meaningful connections within and across communities.
https://www.xhelpinghands.com/About this Project
Communities Served
My project will involve and/or impact the following communities:
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
When it comes to community impact projects, the UN has created 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These are the Sustainable Development Goals associated with my project.
How the project works
X Helping Hands will host a 3-day, 2-night rural youth retreat (12–15 participants) in NS, combining wellness workshops, storytelling, land-based learning, and leadership activities. From May–August 2026, we will also collect digital stories, recruit volunteers, and produce a community needs report to foster belonging, skills, and sustainability.”
Project Impact
The retreat and ongoing activities will reduce isolation, strengthen community connections, and empower BIPOC youth (19–30) with wellness, leadership, and climate resilience skills. By collecting stories, engaging participants, and training volunteers, X Helping Hands will foster belonging, amplify diverse voices, and build sustainable, inclusive communities across Nova Scotia
Project Mission
X Helping Hands is a community-led initiative supporting newcomers, immigrants, refugees, LGBTQIA2S+, and racially visible communities (BIPOC). Our mission is to reduce isolation, foster belonging, and build leadership through inclusive events, skill building, two eyed seeing, storytelling, wellness workshops, and sustainability projects, empowering youth and community members to connect, share stories, and strengthen resilient, inclusive communities in Nova Scotia
Project Team
Founded and co-founded by first-generation immigrants, our team includes newcomers and BIPOC members
- Tavneet Kaur – Founder
- Bhavpreet Singh Arneja – Co-Founder
- Puja Sharma – Team Member
- Mariana Nardy – Team Member
Optional Photo Gallery
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