I am London is over, but thanks for all of your support!

I am London 2014 has come to a close, but we wanted to take a minute to thank everyone for their support!  We had over 2200 pageviews on this blog, have almost 475 followers on twitter, and many comments and shares, retweets, and favorites.  There have been several news stories written as well.  We had the privilege of sharing our message of London's diversity with a large section of the London population and we couldn't be happier with the results.

Don't forget to come visit us at Sunfest this weekend! We would love to hear what the campaign means to you!

Also, if you or anyone you know are interested in being a Face of London in I am London 2015, please let us know at iamlondon2014@gmail.com.    

Sandra Ramirez - Customer Service - Interpreter - ESL Teacher

Sandra Ramirez

Country of Origin: Colombia

Date Arrived in London: December 2011

Occupation: Customer Service – Interpreter – ESL/Spanish Teacher

Why did you decide to settle in London? What do you like about London?

I decided to settle in London because, as soon as we arrived, the community welcomed my son and I in an amazing way. I love the nature, the size of the city, the people, the cultural activities, and my church. It is a life full of peace, plenty of love, and hope. London is where my eleven year old son started developing his artistic talent. He got an art therapy scholarship given by UWO. He also won second price in a colouring contest at Cherryhill Mall last Christmas. London is where life has shown us that working with passion, showing compassion, and living for others make your dreams come true. London mornings fill me out with energy and beautiful sunsets give me the strength to wake up the next morning with new ideas and dreams to keep trying. The amazing contrast between the amount of students from the university and seniors in the city shows me how long term plans can be develop here. London, my beautiful and kind London, I will keep my journey loving you and caring for you.

How are you involved in the London community (employment, volunteering, community organizations, etc.)?

The second week after my arrival, I already started volunteering as an interpreter for the fibromyalgia program at St. Joseph's Heath Care. That year, I also started volunteering at London Intercommunity Health Centre. I knew that some of the clients at LIHC that were on waiting list for an opportunity to access to the fibromyalgia program, but language was a barrier for these Spanish community clients. I got the two organizations in contact and they organized the first fibromyalgia program in Spanish! I am so glad to know that thanks to my communication of needs between the two agencies, people got an opportunity to access a treatment that teaches them and their relatives how to have a better quality of life.  In 2012, I also started volunteering at Gateway Church with the Spanglish program (an opportunity for native speakers to help each other practice both English and Spanish) they offered to the community. I have had the opportunity to help Latin people improve their learning and acquisition of English. I developed some tips I share with everyone I know who is trying to learn a language and they enjoying the process. I had the great chance to teach English to newcomer seniors at Kiwanis Seniors Centre. That experience showed me how important it is to keep our seniors together participating in activities according to their age. It is important for seniors to know at least the basics of the language to be independent and survive in a different culture. I also volunteered at Forest Cliff Camp where I got a scholarship for my son last summer. Spending a week in a Canadian summer camp was a great experience, because I only had images from movies about it.  Cooking for 200 people was really amazing. Besides I have had the beautiful opportunity of volunteering at Compassion Canada. It is wonderful reading sponsors'   cards giving love and hope to children who live in places where opportunities are not available like they are in this beautiful country. Helping with this mission is really rewarding. Right now I am volunteering at London Employment Help Centre. Learning from great professionals who do one of the hardest jobs nowadays….job hunting. I also help at LEHC with the advocates –social workers- to translate for the Spanish speaker community who they are helping with CPP and ODSP applications.    I will keep trying to get a job and I know I will; but meanwhile, I will continue giving my best everywhere whenever Canadians or immigrants need me.

What message would you like to share with newcomers to London?

It is very important to get involved with the community as much as possible. The more you give, the more you get. The moment you share your skills with others, doors start to open. London is a traditional city full of people with values and compassion. The beautiful Forest City offers a lot of positive aspects for the new families that come to settle down here. Get as much information as possible online about the city and all the social services it offers for different age groups. I would add that volunteering is not only rewarding, but the best way to get references and Canadian experience. Start building your network and get connections where you can not only serve and use your skills, but also where you will be really valuable for them. If you want to learn a language in an enjoyable way, contact me (ramirezsandra190@yahoo.ca) and I will give you tips for a pleasant learning process. 

Also remember, If you are cold in the winter, drink hot chocolate and keep warm thoughts. If you are hot in summer time, swim a lot. In spring enjoy the flowers, birds, and geese singing and in autumn the colourful falling leaves. Do not forget always to be thankful for living in this beautiful and peaceful land.

What message would you like to share with the broader London community?

It is really important for an immigrant to understand, know so will value the system and culture in Canada. Sometimes we do not do many things because we do not know that the possibilities even exist. For example all programs available from Spectrum magazine. Services and agencies of employment and health. The fact of getting a family doctor. School culture. Dealing with weather, etc. I would call it “warm up for a life”. I am a language teacher and this is the way I motivate my students and I can measure the success I will have of the rest of the class jus by the very beginning introduction of the unknown. Every time I meet newcomers I share with them all I missed because I did not know all that was there available. I show them the shortcut and make them aware as many possibilities as I know are available so they can really take advantage of all programs and benefits that government and non-profits have for the community.

I think this campaign is great for Canadians too who have spent more time here and may have forgotten their past generations and all they had to go through.  The same things we are facing right now. I want to remind them how important and necessary immigrants are for the country. I want to realize that learning the language takes time. They should value newcomers’ efforts and should be conscious that not knowing English does not mean a lack of intelligence or capability to rationalize. I want everyone to be aware that adjusting to a new environment, weather and conditions is not easy, to value that we left lives behind to come and adapt to and truly love a new nation, that our kids and coming generations are the future. 

Mohammed Osman Yassine - Accountant

Mohammed Osman Yassine

Country of Origin: Lebanon

Date Arrived in London: November 1976

Occupation: Accountant - Osman's Accounting Services

Why did you decide to settle in London? What do you like about London?

In 1976, during the civil war in Lebanon I sailed from Lebanon to Cyprus.  The motor on our boat gave up part of the way through the trip and we were stranded on the sea for 48 hours.  Finally, I flew from Cyprus to London.  

London is the first Canadian city I lived in.  Occasionally, I felt home sick as I missed my childhood friends, my parents and my relatives in Lebanon. Interestingly, when I lived away from London for seven years in Windsor, where I was studying, I missed London and my homesickness was for London. 

In London, I established my life, my friendships, my business and raised my family.  Beyond being clean, safe and beautiful, London is home to my beautiful three year old granddaughter, my two boys, two sisters and many cousins and friends along with their extended families. London has all the ingredients for a decent life and the opportunity to grow and raise families. Today, as I have been for many years, since the first few years of my arrival, I am proud to call London my home.

How are you involved in the London community (employment, volunteering, community organizations, etc.)?

Early on I got involved in the Palestinian social club.  I also joined the London Muslim Mosque. I actually composed a song and went and sang the song around campfires with children.  Later I joined the city of London Race Relations Committee and served as the treasurer for the Cross Cultural Learner Centre for many years.  I also founded the Association of London Muslims to integrate the Muslim community without assimilation.

Apart from my career, I’ve worked with individuals from the Church, Synagogue and Mosque to have interfaith dialogues where individuals from different faiths understand and respect each other.

I’ve volunteered at the Islamic Centre as well as at the Food Bank. I coordinated the collection of loads of non-perishable food items for the food bank and also meat during our Eid celebrations annually.

What message would you like to share with newcomers to London?

 In London I established my life, my friendships, my business and raised my family.  It is a clean, safe and beautiful city,  London has all the ingredients for a decent life and the opportunity to grow and raise families. Today, as I have been for many years, since the first few years of my arrival, I am proud to call London my home.

What message would you like to share with the broader London community?

Don't see Canada as a country that belongs to one group or another.  Canada is the mosaic land.  We have this sense of coexistence.  

Visit I am London at Canada Day and Sunfest!

Although the campaign will be over, we are excited to get to share our message of diversity with even more people in London! I am London and the London and Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership (LMLIP) are going to have a booth at both the Canada Day Celebration in Harris Park and Sunfest in Victoria Park!

Come by and visit us! People who haven't seen the campaign will be able to read all of the profiles from the two years of the campaign.  But if you are a follower of the campaign, you should still stop by! You will be able to share with us what you love about London, hear more about the campaign, volunteer yourself or someone else to be a face of London for 2015, and learn how you can get involved in the work being done by the LMLIP!  

Looking forward to seeing you!

Lina Hernandez - HR and Communications Manager

Lina Hernandez

Country of Origin: Colombia

Date Arrived in London: August 2004

Occupation: HR and Communications Manager, Cross Cultural Learner Centre 

Why did you decide to settle in London? What do you like about London?

We decided to settle in London because it is a small city that is very well located. It also has many good universities and colleges.   I like London because it has all the resources, tools and good energy to help newcomers succeed

How are you involved in the London community (employment, volunteering, community organizations, etc.)?

As the Human Resources and Communications Manager for CCLC, I am involved in many activities within the London community. I organize events with different cultural groups and partners, some examples are The Community Cup, Life as a Refugee, International Women’s Day, Pride, Culture Days, etc. I also volunteer my hours as a HR Mentor with Fanshawe College.

What message would you like to share with newcomers to London?

I would like to show and share the story and experiences of many successful newcomers to London. It is difficult for all of us when we start but hard work, effective use of resources and positive attitude will help them succeed. There is a big light at the end of the tunnel and to quote Aerosmith “the light at the end of the tunnel may be you!”

What message would you like to share with the broader London community?

I would like to demonstrate that newcomers are a great part of our London Community. We have skills; talent and education that can help any organization reach their goals faster. I would like to show the London community that newcomers are a great way to move forward into the future.

Mudrika Hamou - Settlement Counsellor

Mudrika Hamou

Country of Origin: Syria

Date Arrived in London: November 1981

Occupation: Settlement Counsellor - South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre

Why did you decide to settle in London? What do you like about London?

I immigrated to Canada from Syria with my parents at the age of 13.  When I came to Canada I didn’t speak any English. My parents chose London because they had heard from relatives that it was a great community and because of the educational opportunities it offered. I quickly integrated into the fabric of society and owe that to my wonderful peers and teachers at H.B. Beal Secondary School who helped to support me in my journey. London felt like home from day one. Once the youngest of my children was old enough, I realized it was time for me to get back into the community, give back for all it had given me, and work on my own personal development. Today, I am a proud mother of six, a part-time student at Brescia University College, an active volunteer and a full time employee.  

I have lived in London for over 30 years and it is my home. I am thankful to have spent some of my childhood and all my adult years here.  I grew up here and have had the pleasure of raising my children in this community. London has allowed me to pursue my dreams of a higher education and work full time simultaneously while maintaining a healthy relationship with my family and friends. I have felt comfortable in London, whether it be in the workplace or with my neighbours. London would not be home, were it not for its welcoming and warm community – something I work very hard to emulate in my life and with my own relationships.

How are you involved in the London community (employment, volunteering, community organizations, etc.)?

I first got involved in the London community through my kids school and my local Mosque.  Since then, I have volunteered as a facilitator for the Women of the World Arabic speaking group with the Intercommunity Health Centre, and work full time as a Settlement Counsellor for South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre.    

What message would you like to share with newcomers to London?

First I would say, visit your settlement agencies.  There are lots of good services to help you get settled.  London is a great city for the family.  There are lots of activities and parks.  Choose the best neighbourhood for yourself and your kids.  

What message would you like to share with the broader London community?

As a face of London, I represent the Londoner who is working hard to achieve her dreams while maintaining a balance at home and raising a family. Also, I believe it's always good to give.  We should all get out and be more involved in our community.

How are you engaged in the London community?

How have you gotten involved in the London community?  Do you volunteer? Do you have a great career here?  Are you involved in your child's school, a club, or an ethnocultural community?  We'd love to hear how you are engaged in our city.  Comment and let us know!