What do Library Champions Say About the Project?
Library Champions gain valuable volunteer experience and help other new immigrants. Watch these videos and read the testimonials below to get an understanding of how being a Library Champion changes the lives of participants and the lives of other newcomers in their communities.
Library Champion Grace Li
proudly talks about how she’s used all she learned as a Library Champion to help other newcomers. For her, it isn’t just a volunteering job, but something she genuinely enjoys doing.
Library Champion Adris Walli
reflects on why he became a Champion and how it’s had a profound effect on his life.
Library Champion Sonya Govahi
talks about her passion for helping others and how being a Library Champion lets her reach out to newcomers and immigrants in her community.
More Testimonials from Library Champions
All I can say about this project is that it is really a good one for newcomers. The fact that I was a Library Champion helped me a lot. I learned a lot of things that I shared with newcomers. In addition to this, this project helped me to have some friends and to practice my English.
May 15, 2014
Thank you for this incredible program, my first volunteer experience. During this, I learned that all over the world people want the same things and they have the same feelings. We are all different but very similar in human things. Slowly, Surrey and Canada are becoming my home.
October 23, 2015
Because of language barriers and a lack of social experience in Canada, I was so shy to join at first… I felt so comfortable and encouraged because all of our volunteers have one thing in common: we are full of enthusiasm and keen on integrating into society although we are lacking of real Canadian experience and facing some difficulties. You helped me with getting to know our community through communicating with others. You gave me a platform to dig myself deeply and build self-confidence. I benefit a lot from it.
May 16, 2018
For me, the most useful part of the LCP training is the introduction of the library and community resources that were shared during the training by the librarian, our facilitator and the other members of LCP because many newcomers who I reached told me that they found the help which they need easily from these resources and information that I shared with them, and they were very happy that they knew a lot of ways to involve our community.
May 27, 2019
Before joining LCP, I had done some other volunteering work based on my work experience back home. LCP developed my transferable skills, helped me to discover something out of the circle around me, it opened some doors to me and gave me the courage to be able to enter other areas. Our facilitator, also, was so encouraging. She was amazing in putting value on everyone’s effort, in taking time in answering every small concern with passion. She is a role model. Library facilitator, also, was so generous in sharing experiences; she is an amazing teacher. I will miss this project and thank you everyone.
February 21, 2020
Guiding newcomers to what resources are available in public libraries while increasing network makes a real difference. It thus makes the project professionally fulfilling. These resources include among others – children’s books and games of learning – are early opportunities for children to develop the love of public libraries. This is also an opportunity for family bonding to avoid “homesickness” and it is all for free.
November 20, 2014
