Stay Informed
Immigrant Welcome Centre Success Stories
Our Success Stories feature the voices of Immigrant Welcome Centre clients who share their immigration stories, including some of the challenges and how our organization helped them settle and thrive on the North Island.
The IWC is my saving grace!
Dahlia, Franklin, and their son Lance became Canadian citizens in February 2023, after a long and winding road. Dahlia came to Canada in 2013 from
Grateful to Canada
Mayssoun, Antoun, and their children immigrated to Canada in 2018. Originally from Syria, the family left their home country because of the civil war that
From Client to Employee
Mavis, from Tianjin China, first came to Canada on a scholarship to complete an M.B.A. at University Canada West. As she was enjoying her time
Newcomer Entrepreneur Stories - 2022
The Welcoming Communities Coalition presents the Newcomer Entrepreneur Series with The Comox Valley Record and locally produced Holding Heritage podcast.
The goal of this series of interviews is to learn more about and amplify the voices of newcomers who own businesses in the community. The Coalition has interviewed four entrepreneurs in the Valley who immigrated to Canada. These four residents talked to us about the challenges and surprises they experienced settling and finding employment, why they decided to own and operate a local business and the ways in which they were welcomed and supported as they made this community their new home.
Newcomer Entrepreneur Series CR: Interview #3
Photographer leaves Damascus to pursue art safely in Campbell River In Damascus, Syria, simply carrying a camera in public could be perceived as an act
Newcomer Entrepreneur Series CR: Interview #2
Inspired by a father to experience the world When Taj Singh was nine years old, his father left their home in Punjab, India, to work
Newcomer Entrepreneur Series CR: Interview #1
The JRV Filipino Asian Store has been open for only 16 months, but its owners are finding that their business venture is more than just
#TheresMoreToMe - 2022
Three newcomers to the Comox Valley generously agreed to share their settlement stories and how they maintain a connection to their culture living in the North Island. They looked back on some of the challenges they experienced settling in Canada and what helped make the Valley feel like home for this video series, #TheresMoreToMe.
This project was created by the Welcoming Communities Coalition in partnership with CV/Arts and was funded by IRCC, the BC Arts Council and the Province of BC. These stories help highlight the cultural diversity in the Valley and hopefully show other newcomers that they are not alone in their experiences settling on the Island.
#TheresMoreToMe
Thriving Together - 2020
Thriving Together is a series of stories collected during the pandemic by the Welcoming Communities Coalition. Thriving Together shares newcomers’ feelings about living through a pandemic in a new community and culture.
Thriving Together 5: Getting Creative During the COVID-19 Pandemic
My name is Daito Mitsumiya and I am from Tokyo; Japan and I am here for an exchange program. I arrived at Campbell River in January 2020, so I
Thriving Together 4: Difficulty Connecting to the Community Due to COVID-19
My name is Tony Kwon and I immigrated to Canada from South Korea last June. I spend most of my time with my family and
Thriving Together 3: Racial Discrimination Due to COVID- 19
Before I immigrated to Canada from South Korea, I spent less time with my family because I was working long hours. Since moving here, I
#UncommonCourage - 2016
Uncommon Courage is a video series produced by the Immigrant Welcome Centre in partnership with Shaw TV North Island. The series shares the stories of former refugees who settled in Campbell River.
