Program Lead – Newcomer Youth Settlement @ HDSB Welcome Centre
What is working?
“Being new to my role, my focus has been on communication and relationship building, building relationships with staff at the Welcome Centre as well as our community partners. It has been really helpful in this transition to have that strong support network. I keep connected with my team through a couple simple but effective tools: First, we meet on a daily basis in a meeting we call the morning huddles. Here we map out what is the day going to look like and any challenges with a case, then having open conversations to being able to help each other out. Second, I have an open calendar that I share with my team – they can book me any time one on one basis to discuss anything at all. It’s a virtual version of “my door is always open”. You can rely on me to listen, even if I don’t have answers at that moment.”
What isn’t working, yet?
Well, one of the things we have tried to do that is a work in progress is to put together a map of our whole process – to have help organize ourselves in our department and to help administrators and support them related to new questions they have, especially regarding Virtual Schools. Finding concrete answers to specific questions in a changing landscape of information is hard.
What is your favourite word?
My favourite word is “Thank You” (ok, technically two words) because sometimes in the moment we fail to recognize that we need to be grateful for our lives. I am privileged to be surrounded by amazing human beings, to have family and friends, and even to be alive right now, especially in the middle of a pandemic. Everyone has challenges, struggles, future aspirations, and at times we fail to recognize who we are right now. “Thank you” is a foundation for a better tomorrow. The greatest support you can offer someone in the moment is not always a job, money, it can be as simple as a smile. I always say thank you to my students for teaching me so much, I say thank you to my colleagues, I learn so much from them as well. Having someone to show you something new, that is something that is difficult to repay and to measure, so “thank you” is so very important.
What is the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
The most daring thing I’ve ever done was the decision to immigrate to Canada from the UK. My life in Newcastle UK was tough, mentally, financially, socially. So, I made the big decision to immigrate to Canada. When it was time to move, I only had the money to afford a one way ticket, so it was a daring decision, because I knew there was no going back, quite literally! I came to Canada knowing absolutely no one, and with only $200 in my pocket. My only acquaintance, who I had never met, was the elder brother of a friend I knew back in Belgium. It was incredibly stressful wondering how I would survive, where I would sleep when I landed in Canada, if I wasn’t able to connect with that acquaintance…I only had a photograph of him. Thankfully, he waited at the airport for me, even though my flight was hours late. So I think that was my most daring decision, was taking the risk for a better life here in Canada. I’m glad I did!
