On Wesley’s Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) floors, Heiba arrives daily with excitement and determination to provide support and guidance for newcomers to Canada. Having been with Wesley for almost six years, Heiba’s journey from dental assistant to housing liaison worker reflects her commitment to community service and helping those in need.
When she was young, Heiba’s family also immigrated to Canada, and now she uses her experience to help others. Understanding firsthand the challenges of acclimating to a new culture, Heiba found comfort in community support. “Having connections and support in a new country is crucial,” she says, emphasizing empathy in her work.
Heiba’s role is not just about educating newcomers about the housing market and budgeting, managing expectations, and helping them make good housing decisions; it’s about nurturing hope and easing the transition for individuals who have fled their homelands under challenging circumstances. “When people have had to flee their home country, we don’t know what their life was like there,” she says. “People come from trauma, and we are here to make their life easier to start in a new country.”
Heiba values the whole RAP team, with everyone working together to show clients they are there to support them. “It’s important for organizations like Wesley to have a diverse staff with various experiences. Our experience and commitment to the community are always at the heart of everything we do.” Heiba prides herself on being the first person to raise her hand for new opportunities. She has spent time in other departments, including the Special Care Unit (SCU) and the COVID isolation center in 2020 to ensure the homeless population received help and care. She learned a lot through these experiences and highlighted the value of trying new things, even when jobs like frontline work during a global pandemic can be frightening.
Heiba’s dedication extends beyond her role in RAP. She actively volunteers in the community, mainly supporting women and children, demonstrating her strong belief in the power of community solidarity and empowerment. Her transition from customer service and dental assistance to community service reflects her passion for making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. “When you witness their growth and achievement, it’s humbling and fulfilling in a way that’s hard to describe.”
While Heiba, who seems to never stop smiling, finds immense joy in her work, she acknowledges the weight of the stories she hears daily. “The hardest part of the job is hearing the stories of clients and the trauma they had to experience before getting here,” she shares. Despite the challenges, she remains motivated to provide the tools and support necessary for clients to build self-sufficiency and resilience.
In the future, Heiba looks forward to continuous growth and impact in her work. She aims to develop her skills further to better serve her community, a true example of Wesley’s mission, vision, and values. “The more you do it, the more you want to strive to learn more. It’s a never-ending road. Helping others is something you start doing and continue to do until the end.”
As Heiba continues her journey at Wesley, she talks about the importance of community support and funding for programs like RAP. “Resettlement Assistance Program can always use support,” she expresses, highlighting the need for funding to keep programs running smoothly and expand their reach and impact. “This is a place that clients will never forget. They go from the airport straight to us. What we do, the services we provide, and the energy that we give them, that’s what counts.”
Heiba’s story is one of positivity, joy, compassion, and unwavering commitment. Her work at Wesley and in her volunteering shows the power that community support has in changing lives. As she continues to empower those around her, Heiba shows us what it means to build a welcoming and supportive community for newcomers, spreading hope to every client she works with.
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