Meet Israel, a 40-year-old man from Venezuela who never imagined that life would lead him to a quiet city in Canada. Once a union leader working for the Ministry of Agriculture and Land in Venezuela, his life was disrupted when his family was forced to leave home due to safety concerns. They spent five years in Ecuador before an opportunity through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) brought them safely to Canada.
In September 2022, Israel, his wife, and their two young daughters arrived in Toronto. Though the busy city initially impressed him, he was relieved to find peace and safety in Brantford, a smaller community where his children could grow up surrounded by nearby parks and neighbours. Over time, Brantford began to feel like home to Israel, a place where he could rebuild his life and pursue a brighter future for his family.
When Israel first arrived in Canada, he faced many challenges—he didn’t speak English and had no local connections. Fortunately, RAP played a pivotal role in helping him and his family settle in. With the help of Wesley staff, Israel and his family secured housing, received health cards, opened bank accounts, registered for social insurance numbers, and learned how to navigate public transportation. These essential services provided a strong foundation for their new life.
Despite these supports, Israel struggled to access English classes due to long waiting lists. As time passed, he realized he couldn’t wait any longer, “I had to work because I had to support my family,” he explains. Though it would be challenging, Israel decided to find a job, even with limited English skills.
After some time and job hunting, a chance encounter with a local church pastor named Richard became a turning point in Israel’s journey. Richard connected him to Tony, a local employer, who offered Israel a position. Israel began working full-time in construction and quickly adapted to the new role, even though it was entirely different from his previous career. “I’m thankful for my job and my boss,” Israel always says with a smile.
Though the transition was tough in the beginning, Israel found joy in his work and built strong friendships with his team, finding ways to communicate and joke with each other despite speaking different languages. Traveling to different cities and working in all kinds of weather, Israel’s coworkers have supported and taught him along the way. He is proud of the progress he has made, both professionally and personally, and appreciates the independence his job has brought him.
Israel’s greatest motivation comes from his daughters, aged six and twelve. Their education and future are his top priorities. “They motivate me to get up every day, rain or shine.” His daughters have excelled in school and have even begun teaching him the English they’ve learned. Their success fills Israel with pride and hope.
Reflecting on his journey, Israel credits the support he received from Wesley and the connections he built in Brantford for helping him integrate into Canadian society. While the process takes time and can be stressful at times, he believes in making step-by-step progress and appreciates the opportunities he has found. His dream is simple but powerful: to continue building a stable life in their new home and to see his daughters grow into confident, educated professionals.
Israel’s story demonstrates the power of support, building connections, and community. His family’s transition to Canada serves as a reminder of the importance of programs like Wesley’s and the generosity of individuals who make these programs possible. Through hard work and determination, Israel has been able to make a positive difference in various communities through his work building houses and has turned a difficult past into a hopeful future for his family.
