In January 2019, I came to Canada with my wife and eight-year-old son. But much before our relocation from Iran, we began looking for Canadian organizations that could offer pre-arrival services and guide us with some basic information about the country. That’s when we heard about CCSYR. Shahla Shakeriaski from the agency contacted us and, with time, became family! She shared critical information on accommodation, education and employment search so that we knew precisely how to navigate the initial challenges after the move. Considering she is also from Iran, she has always advised us with culturally appropriate insights. She also connected me to the local Farsi-speaking community to build my professional network.
I’m a supply teacher with the local school district board and volunteer with CCSYR to help newcomers with resume writing and English language proficiency tests. Volunteering also allows me to expand my network and support newcomers with my lived experience.