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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.
A long road to Citizenship
Ann Justin became a Canadian citizen on November 24, 2022, fifty years after moving to Canada from Scotland (in 1972). She jokes about how long
Swim program is an accessible opportunity for newcomer families to connect and be active together
“You move to this country and you are welcome to this program – this is a chance for everyone to build connections.” – Jumana Adamjee
When family visits, there’s so much to do!
Theresa and Glyn Blackburn came to Canada from Manchester, UK. Glyn had always wanted to live either in the U.S. or Canada, so in 2011,
Newcomer Entrepreneur Stories - 2022
The Welcoming Communities Coalition presents the Newcomer Entrepreneur Series with The Comox Valley Record, The Campbell River Mirror, 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 our communities. The Coalition has interviewed entrepreneurs in the Valley and Campbell River who immigrated to Canada. These 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.
