Ali arrived in Canada with little more than the clothes on his back. In 2016, Ali and his family travelled from Colombia to Canada as refugees, making the journey across the Canadian-American border by foot.
He, his wife and their two children each had a backpack. Everything else had been left behind.
“It was very difficult for my family and our two children,” said Ali. When his family arrived here, they soon realized they needed support.
Ali came to the Victoria Hills Community Centre and found House of Friendship’s Family Outreach worker, Nermin Ozdemir. She helped him with many simple tasks, such as signing up his children for school, finding winter clothing to keep them warm and
getting mattresses for them to sleep on at night. Ali has also developed a plan with Nermin’s help, which includes applying to college to upgrade his skills this fall to find employment.
The Family Outreach Program helps families who are living on low income, with children 17 years of age and under, to find the support and resources they need.
Nermin’s journey to the role of Family Outreach worker started when she was a newcomer to Canada herself – when she had little more than boiled potatoes to serve her family. With support, Nermin found access to community resources to help her family. She soon wanted to be able to help others, just as she had once been helped.
“My satisfaction comes from helping people. When I see a family function and work on moving forward, that’s my satisfaction.”
For more information about House of Friendship’s Family Outreach Program visit www.familyoutreach.ca.
