DSC00777-R-with 300dpiVanessa Correa is 19 years old, born in Medellin, Colombia and immigrated to Canada in 2008. She first immigrated to Quebec and completed her Grade 10, 11 and 12 there; she would like to continue her education in the sciences. However, first she would like save some money for upgrading her education, as well as for visiting her family in Colombia! Having difficulty getting a job, she discovered the Future Leaders program delivered by DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society. At first, Vanessa was not very talkative in class discussion because she’s not very comfortable with her spoken English.But as she got to know her classmates, realizing that there are many newcomer youth like her, struggling with a 2nd language while learning about Canadian cultural norms, she started to open up.

“I have observed marked difference in Vanessa’s confidence level”, remarked Johnson Varghese, the Youth Career Counsellor facilitating Future Leaders’
6-week workshop sessions on  employ-ability skills.With the help of Maria Cazorla, Future Leader Program’s Work Placement Facilitator, Vanessa was matched with a
work experience placement at Winners at Grand View Corners. Vanessa is enjoying the diversity of her job at Winners; one day she would be scheduled to work at the cashier counter, another day she would be organizing merchandise or be assigned at the jewelry counter.

The Future Leaders Program has been funded by Service Canada. DIVERSEcity is an immigrant serving
organization based in Newton Surrey. For more
information, please go to www.dcrs.ca or call at 604 597 0205

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