At Wesley, we are proud to have individuals who bring passion, dedication, and personal experience to their work. Yaqoob, a supervisor with the RAP (Resettlement Assistance Program) team in Brantford, is one of those individuals. His journey from Afghanistan to Canada, his extensive background in mental health, and his strong commitment to helping others make him a remarkable part of the Wesley team.
Yaqoob was born and raised in Afghanistan, where he pursued a career in medicine. He worked as a licensed psychiatrist, providing vital services to individuals experiencing conditions such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, and neurological conditions such as epilepsy. His work was not just about treatment; it was about advocacy and education.
“In Afghanistan, mental health wasn’t well understood. Culturally, it wasn’t talked about, and the biggest challenge was a lack of awareness.” Yaqoob explains. Many people didn’t recognize conditions like depression or anxiety as medical issues. In addition to providing treatment, the center trained nurses and doctors in remote areas to expand access to mental health services.
In the early 2000s, Afghanistan was in a time of hope and peace. Unfortunately, conditions started to deteriorate after 2011. Life became increasingly dangerous, and as a physician with a family, Yaqoob faced constant threats, including the risk of his children being kidnapped. Knowing that his family’s safety was at stake, he made the decision to do whatever it took to build a better future in Canada.
“It took six years to complete the immigration process,” he says. “Every day during that time, we lived in fear, not knowing what would happen next.”
In 2017, Yaqoob and his family arrived in Canada, a moment he describes as a “new birthday” for him and his loved ones. The transition, however happy, was not easy. Despite his extensive medical training, differences in regulations and licensing meant that continuing his career as a psychiatrist was nearly impossible without years of retraining and costly exams.
Determined to support his family, Yaqoob pursued mental health and community services courses at Mohawk College. He wanted to find a job that allowed him to continue helping people and make a difference. “My values, my heart, and my personality make it easy for me to interact with people, engage with them, listen to them, and talk to them.”
With these values and education, Yaqoob found his way to Wesley, where he began working as a client care worker in the Supportive Housing program and the Special Care Unit in Hamilton. In 2021, he was promoted to a supervisor role. Then, in 2022, when the RAP program was established in Brantford, Yaqoob saw an opportunity to use his language skills and personal experience to help others who were starting a new life in Canada, like he did.
Yaqoob’s work at RAP involves helping newcomers navigate the complex settlement process, from finding housing to understanding the social systems in Canada. His own experience as an immigrant gives him a deep sense of empathy and understanding for his clients.
“When I see our clients, I see myself. I know what they are going through. The uncertainty, the stress, the cultural adjustments, knowing how to get around, where to get groceries, how to find a job. It’s not just about paperwork; it’s about helping them build a foundation for the rest of their lives.”
His dedication to his work shows in the Brantford RAP team’s success. Under his leadership, they have achieved some of the best settlement timelines in the country, with clients transitioning to permanent housing in record time.
Yaqoob credits the supportive and passionate team at Wesley for making this work so rewarding. “Our team feels like a family. People go above and beyond every day, not because they have to, but because they genuinely care.”
Although Yaqoob, of course, remains committed to his work at Wesley, he dreams of returning to the medical field one day to continue helping people. He hopes that, in time, the barriers preventing internationally trained physicians from practicing in Canada will change. In the meantime, he continues to use his skills to support newcomers, ensuring that their transition to life in Canada is as smooth as possible. “I’m very committed to trying my best to progress the RAP team, developing connections within the community and helping it grow.”
When asked what advice he would give to someone considering a career at Wesley, Yaqoob’s answer is simple: “This is not just a job, it’s more than that. It’s an opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. You will grow as a person, develop new skills, and find a sense of purpose that is hard to match.”
We are honoured to have Yaqoob as part of the Wesley team. His resilience, compassion, and dedication embody the very best of what Wesley stands for.
