When Alaa, an immigrant to Canada who arrived in Powell River in February 2019, heard about the opportunity to participate in the provincial Library Champions volunteer training program for immigrants, she jumped at the chance.
Typically offered in-person throughout the Lower Mainland, last spring the provincial program piloted an online course across the province. Immigrants to Canada met online and were oriented to the public library system, and trained to support other immigrants to use their local library.
“I heard about the program from the Lift Immigrant Welcome Centre. I was encouraged to participate as I am interested in learning more about our community and resources. And what was even more encouraging was meeting talented newcomers from Vancouver, and learning about their experiences and how much we all share the same challenges and blessings.”
The course was online from April 2022 until mid-June. Alaa and her program colleagues met once a week via Zoom for check-ins and to learn how to promote good communication, to talk about community resources, to share the unique elements of their communities with each other, and to learn about library services.
“The best thing about the Library Champions Program is that all newcomers feel lonely and alone when they are in a new community, but we are all not alone with all that we experience, [namely] our challenges and trauma. We are all unique in the way we use our resiliency.” Alaa says.
Since completing the program, Alaa has helped support other immigrants to use our local library, connecting with the Welcome Centre’s Book Club, and setting up in-person connections to support immigrants getting library cards and accessing some of the library’s services and programs.
Since arriving in Powell River four years ago, Alaa and her husband (both originally from Syria) have welcomed a daughter into their family. “It’s been quite a journey to grow and integrate with the new community,” she says.