#WeAreWesley: Dema’s Story of Using Her Passions to Make Positive Impacts

At Wesley, our strength comes from the passionate and dedicated individuals who shape the lives of the people we serve. One of those remarkable individuals is Dema Adil, a Registered Early Childhood Educator whose journey shows how dedication, an unwavering love for children and learning, and of course, a smile, can make all the difference in the work we do at Wesley.

Dema’s journey began in Iraq, where she experienced the hardships of war as a young child. She recalls vividly the Gulf War, living in one room with her grandparents, the lack of electricity, food, and water, and her mother heating water on a stove just to help her and her sisters wash their hair. From there, her family moved to Malaysia, where her father, a civil engineer, found work. Although she loved her six years in Malaysia, the family was unable to obtain permanent residency. On her 16th birthday in 2001, they arrived in Canada as landed immigrants, where she faced a new challenge—learning English.

Despite facing language barriers and being told by an English teacher that university wasn’t an option, Dema persevered. With encouragement from her math teacher, she took night and summer school courses, ultimately being accepted into McMaster University’s business program. However, she quickly realized that business wasn’t her passion—art and working with children were. So, she pivoted to studying Art History, and after graduating and becoming a mother, she discovered her true calling at Wesley.

Dema’s introduction to EarlyON programs was when she would take her daughter to a location in Limeridge Mall. Inspired by what the educators were doing there, she asked what she needed to do to have the same career. Not wasting any time, Dema earned her Registered Early Childhood Education diploma at Mohawk College—often bringing her daughter to class, who sat colouring beside her as she studied.
In 2015, her sister, who worked at Wesley, encouraged her to apply for a relief staff position. That opportunity led to a full-time role with Wesley’s EarlyON program, where she has flourished ever since.

“I love that Wesley allows me the freedom and space to create a fun, safe environment for children to express themselves,” Dema shares. “I don’t put restrictions on their creativity—I let them be kids.”

Dema is constantly on the move, working across multiple locations, including Churchill Clubhouse and various EarlyON programs in the city. She also recently became registered in infant massage and provides community sessions each week. In the afternoons, she works closely with newcomer families in Wesley’s Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) and Asylum Seekers Assistance Program (ASAP), ensuring they feel welcome and supported.

She describes how some parents come to the EarlyON programs feeling isolated or struggling with postpartum depression, but they leave feeling rejuvenated. “Sometimes parents come in and just hand me their babies because they need a moment to breathe,” she says. “I see them leave with smiles, feeling lighter.”

Her ability to connect with both children and parents stems from her own experiences. She understands the struggles of adjusting to a new country, learning a new language, and starting over. That empathy fuels her passion for encouraging newcomer families to embrace education and independence. “I always tell moms: Learn English, go to school, get a job if that’s what you want. Create your own opportunities, because in Canada, you have the chance to do that.”

Dema attributes much of her personal growth to the support she’s received from her Wesley colleagues. “Before Wesley, I had low confidence. I was a people-pleaser, afraid to speak up. But with the encouragement of my managers, I found my voice and became a confident leader.” She talks about how her supervisors always go out of their way to support her, whether through words of encouragement, thoughtful gestures, or always listening to and considering her ideas to grow and improve children’s services across the organization.

Despite the challenges of working in a nonprofit—where program resources can be limited at times—Dema finds immense fulfillment in her role. “I feel rich in experiences; in the connections I make with children and families. That’s what keeps me here.”

What’s next for Dema? Recently, she used her artistic talents to help brighten up the doorway to the EarlyON center that was opened specifically to serve RAP and ASAP clients who live in Wesley’s transitional housing program. The bright, inviting space shows children and families that this is an area where they can have fun and feel safe and welcomed while they spend time together.

Never one to stop learning, Dema hopes to explore yoga for children. She also dreams of being able to provide more services like workshops for parents, and of starting her own mobile activity service for children’s workshops and birthday parties, offering engaging experiences like slime-making, circle time, and creative art projects.

When asked what advice she’d give to someone considering working at Wesley, Dema’s answer is simple: “Be positive, patient, and ready to give. Wesley is a place that will support you, just like it has supported me. Here, it’s easy to be excited to come to work every day!”

Thank you, Dema, for your passion, dedication, and the joy you bring to the Wesley community every day. You truly embody the spirit of #WeAreWesley!