Strong Communities Together

I have a totally new understanding of the concept of Community since I have been living in Toronto for the past 20 months.

My community is like my warm home. I find protection, support and care there. When I was totally lost in Toronto in October 2006, I found WoodGreen Community Services. They helped me with every difficulty I met as a family member. They even helped me to buy a long-distance card. This was a very tiny thing, but it was so important and touching at that time. Their smiles melted the snow in my heart. Their kind words built my confidence to start a new life in my new environment.

Community is a place for you to plant seeds and grow fruit. Recommended by WoodGreen, I was lucky to join IWIP and study at CCL&D. It’s such a supportive atmosphere and unforgettable learning experience in my life. We are not only learning knowledge of community services together, but also sharing happiness, sadness, culture, food and much more…. Although we came from different places, and we speak different languages, we understand and love each other. We are just like our classmate Freshta’s new baby, we keep on growing and growing, and now it’s the time for the baby girl and all of us to shine.

Community is a platform to make a contribution. I’m now working in Better Beginnings now. I am so moved and impressed by so many touching behaviors and stories everyday. For example, I saw my manager, supervisor, specialist and home visit worker spending a whole day to design a plan for a special needs child. They help some families living in poverty to get food from food banks. They help other families in need in other ways. I feel the spirit of community and concern is so overwhelmingly strong.

There are hundreds of such community services around Toronto. They each play their own role and connect with each other. Strong Communities Together will make Toronto’s tomorrow more beautiful.