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This story is based on the true story of someone I met here in our community. She's moved on to the city now and I'm happy to say she has fully immigrated and was able to bring her children to Canada just this summer after two years. This was a representation of some of the real situations that immigrants and temporary foreign workers face when they come to our country. Many of them are so grateful to have the opportunity to come to our country they will face difficulties without saying a word for fear that they may displease someone and be sent home. We are fortunate in our community that these types of things don't happen, but some temporary workers face great hardships at work including poor pay, poor living conditions, and having to work more hours than they should. Most are too afraid to say anything because they don't want to displease their employer, who has the power to send them home. 

I have heard of countless people who have come on a Temporary Foreign Worker program with the hope that they will be able to stay and one day bring their family to live with them. Some will even go for 2-3 years without seeing their family, in the hope of one day providing them with a better life in Canada. Think about it, would you leave your children behind for three years? The biggest thing that people coming to our country need is support and friendship. People to help them practice their English. Someone to show them where the grocery store is. Someone to help them find the doctor's office. Ultimately someone to call a friend. 

In Olds we are lucky to have a wide range of people from many cultures around us. In fact not all newcomers are visible minorities. Some have come from European countries and you would never suspect they weren't born in Canada until you talk to them. Some have lived here for several years and some have just moved in. Alas, a lot of times we're too afraid to befriend them because we are afraid of offending them. "What if they're Canadian Born?! I better not ask." We assume people will be offended if we get it wrong. The truth is this simply isn't the case. While some people may in fact have been born in Canada, most people don't mind if you ask them because in the end, people like interaction with others. To someone who has just moved to the country it can mean the difference of deciding to stay and giving up under the pressure and going home. Much like when we travel there is an initial excitement. Like going on vacation. When you get there everything is new and fun. However, after about a month reality starts to set in. The number of adjustments that need to be made can be too overwhelming for some. If they can get past the initial "chaos" phase of their adjustment many end up finding great success in their new life. However, if it all becomes too much and they don't have the support to help them through it, they may just give up and go home. 

The reality of our situation in Canada is that our birth rate is continuing to decline. In about 15 years time there will be a huge portion of the population retiring or unable to work. In the end, someone has to fill those positions. We simply don't have the workforce ourselves. We NEED people to move into our communities and help us. The fear that people will take jobs from Canadians simply isn't justified.

Also, I can't stress enough the importance of making these people feel welcome in our community. They need help finding things, they need things to fill their new homes, and most of all they need friends. For example, some of them have never been through winter and don't own a winter coat. Some have never walked on ice before. Simple things that we take for granted can mean a world of difference to someone trying to make a life for themselves. 

Don't get me wrong. Not all newcomers are struggling to get by. In fact there are very strict guidelines as to how much money they have to have in the bank before they are allowed to come, but have you ever tried to find and furnish a whole apartment in a matter of months? However, we are fortunate to live in the community we do. There are very dedicated employers bringing in TFWs and for the most part they are taken care of. Proper housing is provided and furnished for them. Some of the businesses in Olds even provide transportation for their workers. We also have some great organizations offering services. Mountain View Community Adult Learning provides ESL tutors and matches people up with community volunteers willing to help. The Library provides free internet access, a Skype room, and ESL materials and software. A group of organizations providing services formed a "Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Committee". This group provided courses such as winter preparedness sessions, Safe Harbour Training for the community, and Welcome to Olds guides translated into multiple languages. The churches in town host parties celebrating different cultures and allowing newcomers to get involved and share their culture. Isn't it great to live in such a fantastic community! This is exactly what is needed if we want newcomers to become fully engaged members of our community. Every single newcomer I've met has been extremely excited to share, volunteer, and help out where needed. All that is required is to get to know them and ask. 

So next time you see someone you've never met before. Whether they are a visible minority or not, why not say hello? Get to know them. You may be surprised what friends you make just by saying hello. Who doesn't need another friend?

1. Melanie Anderson - Vitality Crystals - learning about the power of crystals and stones
2. Kelly-Lynn Andrew - Little Shop of Healers - healing the body and the spirit
3. Joanne - Ward - Bold Beauty - helping us be beautiful inside and out
4. Brandy Donaghy - teaching us about meditation
5. Hilde Taddia - Reiki - calming and nurturing our spirits
6. Lindsay Clausen - releasing the inner goddess in belly dancing
7. Sherry Dreger - Pegasus Ranch - connecting with heart and soul