Join us for an inspiring evening featuring two powerful short films\, followed by a thought-provoking panel discussi on with local leaders who have become part of our community through their unique and moving journeys.
\nThis event is a chance for us to engag e in meaningful dialogue and strengthen our community bonds. We look forwa rd to sharing this experience with you and working together to create a mo re inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.
\nWelcoming Wee k\, from September 13th to 22nd\, celebrates the people\, places\, diversi ty\, and values that make our community inclusive and welcoming\, fosterin g a sense of belonging for everyone.
\nSuccessful integration is a t wo-way street: the more welcoming communities are\, the more newcomers fee l at home and contribute locally.
\nFrom Far Away - 6 mins - animation
\nThis short animation tells the story of Saoussan\, a young girl struggling to adjust to life in Canada after being uprooted from her wartorn homelan d. She has come to seek a quieter and safer life\, although memories of wa r and death linger\, memories that are awakened when the children at her n ew school prepare for a scary Halloween. \;From Far Away \;speaks to the power within us all to adapt like Saoussan and to welcome a newcome r.
\nA Passage Beyond Fortune - 16 mins - live acti on
\nThrough an intimate archive of the Chow&rsquo\;s famil y lineage\, \;A Passage Beyond Fortune \;offers an homage to the c ulturally significant but buried history of Chinese-Canadian communities i n Moose Jaw.
\nYan Li
\nIn 2002\, Yan Li and her husband travelled over 5\,000 miles from southwest China to Canada with four bags - bags full of memori es and dreams for a new life.
\nYan is very active with the local Ch inese community. She volunteers with the Chinese Canadian Women's Federati on and is the General Secretary of the Waterloo Chinese Community Associat ion. She helped found the Waterloo Chinese Philharmonic Choir and supports the Waterloo Chinese Reading Club. Since 2010\, Yan has hosted a Mandarin -language radio program on 98.5 CKWR where she shares music and informatio n about what is happening in the community. She now works as a real estate agent with Peak Realty\, helping many people find and establish a home in Waterloo Region.
\nFadhwa Yusuf
\nFadhwa is a Global Speaker\, Transformational Life Coach\, Talk Show Host. Fadhwa is also the recipient of 2023 The Torch Bearer Award and is launching her fi rst book Going The Distance. Fadhwa&rsquo\;s mission is to empower others to live an authentic life\, and manifest the life they envision and desire .
\nImmigration journey: I am from East Africa(Somaliland) Lived in Kenya\, migrated to England\, Migrated to Canada\, Migrated to Wales\, the n back to Canada.
\nFidelia Ukueje
\nIn 2013\ , Fidelia Ukueje left her new husband and came to Canada five months pregn ant and without knowing a soul to attend classes at Conestoga College.
\nSince then\, she has become a seasoned\, results-oriented project man ager\, with skills in leadership and marketing\, customer relations\, crea tive development\, coaching and mentoring and vendor procurement. Currentl y\, she is a social planner in children&rsquo\;s services for home childca re\, Region of Waterloo. She also worked as a Program Assistant with Cones toga College and as a Social Planning Associate\, Children and Youth Plann ing Table. She is also the founder and current President of NIROW Nigerian s in The Region of Waterloo. Fidelia has made significant contributions to both her professional field and the community. Her story is truly remarka ble\, demonstrating a commitment to excellence and a passion for serving o thers.
\nhttps://wpl.libnet.info/event/11798345 URL;VALUE=URI:https://wpl.libnet.info/event/11798345 ATTACH:https://static.libnet.info/images/events/wpl/FilmMovie_Night.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR