When Shahla first came to Canada, she understood what it meant to start over.
Today, as a housing worker with Wesley’s Resettlement Assistance Program in Brantford, she helps newcomers do exactly that: build a life, find stability, and create a place to call home.
Shahla’s journey to Canada began long before she ever imagined working in community services. As a teenager, she fled Afghanistan with her family due to war, eventually settling in Pakistan. Years later, in 2007, she, her husband, and their two young children made the life-changing decision to move to Canada to be close to her brother and a few other family members.
Starting over wasn’t easy.
She focused first on learning English, then went back to school to complete her high school diploma, graduating in 2015. Like many newcomers, she took on different jobs to support her family, from serving food in a retirement home to being a retail sales associate.
But something was missing.
“I said, this is not the thing that I’m looking for,” Shahla recalls. As a loyal, caring, hard-working person, she knew her ability to learn quickly could be used to do what she is most passionate about: helping others.
Everything changed approximately four years ago when Shahla heard that Afghan families were arriving in Brantford. Wanting to give back, she reached out to volunteer, only to be encouraged to apply for a role at Wesley instead. She had been working in a retail sales position but knew that working at Wesley was better aligned with her passions and values.
She became the first life skills worker in the Brantford program, helping individuals and families learn the necessary processes and skills to make their transition to Canada smooth. She knew that while she had family members to support her transition, many arrive in Canada with no one waiting for them.
Nearly four years later, Shahla is now a housing worker, helping families navigate one of the most important steps in their settlement journey: finding a home.
“This is my dream job,” she says.
Shahla’s role is hands-on, fast-paced, and deeply impactful.
From the moment families arrive, she supports them through the housing process by explaining how renting works in Canada, helping them understand their budget, arranging viewings, coordinating leases, setting up utilities, internet, and even assisting with furniture shopping and move-in day.
“It’s not just finding a house,” Shahla explains through her work. “It’s helping them understand how to live here.”
At times, the demand is intense. Shahla has helped dozens of families at once, sometimes coordinating multiple move-ins in a single day. But for her, the hard work is worth it.
Because she knows what it feels like to be new.
“I know how it feels when you are new in a country,” she says. “That’s why I really wanted to help newcomers.”
Through her work, Shahla has built strong relationships with landlords, service providers, and community organizations across Brantford. These partnerships make it easier to support clients quickly and effectively.
And the impact goes beyond housing.
Many of the families she supports choose to stay in Brantford long-term, building their own sense of belonging and contributing to the community they first entered upon their arrival in Canada.
For Shahla, that’s what success looks like.
Ask Shahla what motivates her, and the answer is simple:
“I am super excited every morning when I get up. At night, I’m waiting for tomorrow to come back to work.”
Along with many of our Wesley staff members, Shahla shows a rare kind of passion, one rooted in lived experience, compassion, and a genuine desire to help others succeed.
She speaks just as highly of her team, describing a workplace filled with support, laughter, and shared purpose.
“We are here to support each other,” she says. “It’s an amazing program. It’s an amazing field for anyone to start their career. There are thousands of different doors open for them as soon as they step into this program. I would recommend working at Wesley to anyone!”
Even outside of her role, Shahla continues to think about ways to support others. She’s currently exploring ideas to bring Afghan women in the community together to create space for connection, support, and friendship.
Because for Shahla, the work doesn’t stop at housing.
It’s about helping people feel at home.
