Arriving in a new country is both exciting and challenging.
For many newcomers to Vancouver, Kits House has become an instant community — a place to find support, build friendships, and ease into their new lives.
Through programs like the Multicultural Women’s Support Group and the English Conversation Circles, Kits House has fostered a sense of community and belonging for new those new to the city.
Finding a Community Through Language
Avria, a host of the beginners English Conversation Circles, has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of language and connection that has taken place at Kits House.
“In my group, the participants are newcomers to the English language. They are also newcomers to Vancouver, and to Canadian culture,” Avria says.
“They are often isolated because of their lack of fluency in English. As a result, people who may have had a vast social network and viable working life in their home country now navigate in a much smaller world where they can speak their own language: family, church, ethnic/national community groups.”
By creating a safe environment to practice English and socialize, Avria has noticed that participants build confidence and form lasting friendships.
“We share our personal experiences; where we go, what we do, what we believe, stories from our past, hopes for our future. So, everyone ends up with new ideas for branching out,” she says.
For Avria, witnessing the group’s long-term and recurring impacts has been a heartwarming experience.
“On the first day of a new term, as returnees come into the room, they catch the eye of someone they know and they greet each other with smiles, hugs, and a heartfelt welcome,” she says.
A Lifeline for Newcomers
Gloria, a former Multicultural Women’s Support Group member, landed in Canada with few connections.
“I arrived with my family, two small daughters, my son, my husband, and a couple of suitcases. We were excited but overwhelmed,” she says.
According to the newcomer, things shifted when Gloria discovered the support that existed at Kits House.
“When I first walked into the group, I was welcomed with open arms. My daughters, both very young, were taken care of by kind caregivers while I joined the other women in the program,” she says.
“It was a relief to have a moment for myself, and I quickly realized that this wasn’t just a support group — it was a community,”
Building Lasting Friendships
“I had the amazing experience of meeting an amazing group of women where we learned a lot about our cultures and our experiences as a newcomer in Vancouver,” Nathaly, another Multicultural Women’s Support Group member, says.
For her, the group helped fostered connections that have endured the test of time.
“I am still in contact with some of the [women from the support group]. We built a very nice friendship that is still alive. I am very thankful for that,” she says.
“I am very grateful for the experience I had.”
Overcoming Isolation and Building Confidence
For group member Pnina, the Multicultural Women’s Support Group’s impact manifested on a deeply personal level.
After moving from Isreal in 2018, Pnina says she faced challenges common to many newcomers.
“I spent time isolated and with fear of going outside my comfort zone due to the language barrier,” she says.
However, the Multicultural Women’s Support Group became a catalyst for personal growth.
“Kits House was a warm and safe place to meet new people in a place that was also new for me,” she says.
“In that group, I found support and meaningful connections to explore my potential and feel empowered. I learned the importance of self-care, prioritizing my needs, and looking for strategies to improve my self-esteem.”
A Turning Point
For Veronica, the Multicultural Women’s Support Group provided a reliable form of support during a challenging period of her life.
“I am Chilean. I lived in Canada between 2007 and 2012, during which time I was a housewife with two children, Pablo and Vicente,” she says.
“During this difficult time, I met Patricia Paz, who kindly invited me to participate in a program in Kits House community center; she was in charge of a program for migrant women.”
According to Veronica, the program offered much-needed emotional support.
“My experience in Canada was marked by my separation and deep depression,” she says.
“As a migrant woman, I faced many additional challenges, such as the language barrier. [Joining the group] was a turning point in my life, as it allowed me to connect with other women who were going through similar experiences to mine.”
Veronica remains deeply appreciative of the impact Kits House had on her life.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity offered to me by Kits House, particularly under Patricia’s mentorship,” she says.
“Her leadership, compassion, and wisdom had a profound impact on my life, and I am appreciative of the confidence she placed in me to participate in the program.”
Echoes Across the Globe
Even after returning to their home countries, the lessons and friendships from Kits House continue to resonate for some.
Kimiko, a former Multicultural Women’s Support Group member, expresses her heartfelt gratitude:
“The program was the place where I could be myself. Patricia always encouraged us to take good care of ourselves first in order to take care of our family,” she says.
“I was impressed with her story of the emergency oxygen mask: to save children, you should put on your mask first. It is still in my mind.”
Kimiko says that she cherishes the memories and the impact Kits House had on her life.
“During my three years’ stay in Vancouver, I enjoyed many programs at Kits House,” she says.
“I am deeply grateful to Kits House for giving me opportunities to adapt myself to a new environment and enjoy it, learn diversity, and make lots of good memories.”