When Jamil stepped off the plane in Canada in October 2024, he was alone—no familiar faces, no place to stay. What he did have was the determination to build a better life for himself and his family back in Kenya. His only direction came from a phone call to a contact back home, which led him to a bus to Hamilton and, in time, to Wesley.
After staying at a shelter for a few weeks, he was transferred to Wesley to receive transitional shelter support under Wesley’s Asylum Seekers Assistance Program (ASAP). At first, the sudden move was confusing and unsettling—he didn’t know what to expect or where he was going, but he was told it was an important move that would really help him on his journey to stability and independence.
At Wesley, Jamil found not only a place to stay but a community of caring individuals who treated him with dignity and support. “Wesley was very good to me,” Jamil recalls. “Everything was organized. The support workers always listened and guided me.”
In under three months and with support from Wesley’s ASAP and Employment Services, Jamil found employment while still staying at Wesley. His focus was clear: he came to Canada to create stability, security, and a better life for his family, hopeful to have his family join him whenever possible. Within days of his arrival, his wife had given birth, an event he was devastated to miss. He knew he had to act quickly to provide a future for his family and build an economy that would allow him to bring his family to Canada as well.
Jamil was ready to take any job, but he knew he would strive to upgrade his skills to secure an in-demand role that utilized his strengths to help people. After speaking with the Employment Services team under Wesley’s Employment Services Program and doing his own research, he decided to pursue a career as a Personal Support Worker (PSW), for which he will need to study while also working to support himself and his family back home. “I’ve always enjoyed helping people,” he says. “It’s not just about working—it’s about making a difference.”
With employment counselling provided by Wesley’s team, Jamil secured a job in a factory, and although it is challenging, he perseveres for the sake of his family. “This job puts food on the table. I don’t take it for granted,” he says. Despite recovering from a traumatic experience back home, Jamil continues to work tirelessly. He faithfully takes the bus each afternoon to work the night shift until 1 AM, a shift that can be difficult to adjust to, as your body tells you that those hours are for sleeping.
Jamil has secured housing with a few roommates, also from Kenya, who he helps as much as he can. Some don’t speak English fluently, so he helps them with their job search and filling out necessary paperwork. Providing support to them, just as he received at Wesley, is a meaningful way he wants to give back.
With additional counselling Jamil received under employment support, Jamil has been accepted into a PSW program and will begin his PSW training in just a few months. “When you’re in a new country,” Jamil says, “you have to look at what society needs and become a resource, not a liability.” He always sticks to his core principles—timeliness, focus, and contribution. He avoids parties and trouble, keeping his eye on his goals. “I always tell people at work, don’t put me in problems. This job supports my children.”
It’s this mindset that defines him and has contributed to his remarkable success in such a short time. With his knowledge and experience, Jamil is quickly building his life in Canada. “When you open one door, many more can follow,” he says.
Jamil dreams of getting a job he is passionate about, gaining permanent residency, and reuniting with his family. So far, his hard work and support from Wesley have set him on a path to achieving those goals.
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