We would like to introduce you to Kevin John, a valuable member of our Board!
How long have you served on the board?
Since September 2020.
What motivated you to volunteer on the board?
For many years I have worked with marginalized individuals that are excluded from traditional sources of business financing. By providing a small amount of support, these individuals can leverage the opportunity that the support provides and create employment, diversify the economy, and contribute to the cultural, environmental, and social well-being of the community. With the Immigrant Welcome Centre, I see many similarities through the services they offer. There is assistance for completing paperwork, learning English and connecting with individuals going through the same experience and potentially individuals from the same homeland. These small services I believe provide significant impact for the end-user and make their relocation to a new country more rewarding. I joined the Board knowing that although my role is in governance, it was a way to support an organization that provides positive impact to those in vulnerable situations.
Tell us about a favourite memory with the IWC.
Earlier in 2022, the Immigrant Welcome Centre celebrated its 30-year anniversary. It is a great milestone to reflect and remember the positive impact the organization has contributed to the Comox Valley and Campbell River regions. The support of welcoming immigration has been constant and very rewarding to those individuals that have needed a helping hand. It was a reminder and reinforcement that immigration is a positive impact on the region.
Does your family have an immigration story you’d like to share?
My father came to Canada from Germany, my mother from England, and my sister-in-law from Colombia. Each story is unique in the experiences they had arriving in Canada. For my father and sister-in law, the common denominator was not knowing the customs, the language, or the process for employment. They found their way with the help of others sympathetic to their situation. My sister-in-law came to Canada to escape violence from drug cartels and my parents came to Canada shortly after the end of World War II after experiencing the bombing of their schools, loss of family members, and loss of personal belongings. They started in a new country with enthusiasm, commitment, and a dedication to work and contribute to the community. Simply they were looking for a better situation. A story very similar to many immigrants and today, programs such as the Immigrant Welcome Centre exists to make the transition easier.
If you knew anyone immigrating to Canada, what would you tell them about the IWC to help them make the best of their experience settling here?
The main thing is that resources are available to assist their transition and that there is a community of individuals that have gone through the process. That an individual does not have to feel isolated but can quickly join a community of people.
Other than the IWC, what are some of your passions?
I enjoy the simple things. Taking the dog for a walk, going for a paddle, exercising on a bike, maintaining our home and yard, and so on. As a family, our time is spent swimming, camping, playing games, and visiting. We also like the area where we live and stay close to home exploring parks, trails, and beaches. Vancouver Island is a great place to be, and we try not to take it for granted.
