ALMAZ

Life in the Settlement Sector

Almaz began volunteering in settlement programs soon after arriving in Toronto. She also earned a Master of Education. Eventually she was hired as a full-time employee by a non-profit organization, where she has run youth-focused educational programs, supported community development and provided counselling and support to immigrants for over two decades.

Almaz graduation from York University. Image courtesy of Almaz.

Almaz is deeply motivated by her own settlement experiences. She seeks to “give back to the community who gave [her] so much” by supporting newcomers. Almaz knows that adjusting to a new culture is difficult, so she encourages immigrants to “bridge” their discomforts by reflecting on the histories of their traditions and embracing cultural differences, as she once did. By sharing her personal stories, Almaz practices an empathetic philosophy of nurturing and understanding.