High resolution (.PDF 5.6 MB) - St. Stephen's Community House

now 2012
For Yasmin Mohamed, everything
changed with her ESL classes
When Yasmin came to Canada from
Somalia two years ago she spoke no
English and had none of the vocabulary
she needed to get by in daily life. After
the huge step of moving to a new country,
settling into a new life when you don’t speak
the language can be extremely isolating. “As
newcomers to Canada, when we first come
here, we can’t communicate with others, we
can’t shop, we can’t be a part of anything,”
she says.
St. Stephen’s Community House’s Language Training and Newcomer Services helps
thousands of immigrants and refugees find their place in Canadian society through 17
English language classes, information and referral services, newcomer support groups
and employment preparation . In 2011, 126 newcomers graduated from our classes with
increased competence and confidence .
Yasmin started attending St. Stephen’s
English-as-a-Second Language classes soon
after arriving. Then, she says, “Everything
changed. I’d go out and I’d understand what
was being said. I started enjoying my life.”
Yasmin still attends part-time classes
and is now working, as well. Her enjoyment
of the classes that have changed her life
shines through when she talks.
“Before, when I started working, I was
shy, I didn’t want to talk. I was worried I’d
make a mistake.
Now, at break time,
I’m talking to my
co-workers,” she
says.
And she has be
come an advocate
for the program:
“When I talk to
friends who are
not taking English
classes I tell them,
take the class because
it makes life
better.”
She smiles. “Before
I came to these
classes, my life was
nothing – now, my
life is something,”
she says proudly.
social
indicator
In 2010, there
were 280,636
newcomers
to Canada .
Unfortunately,
more than
300,000 people
continue to wait
for years on the
immigration
backlog .
st . stephen’s community house 1962–2012 | PAGE 15