Salma Eddiani, Settlement Youth Worker

Hello! My name is Salma Eddiani, I was born and raised in Rabat, Morocco. The west coast of British Columbia was the first part of the world I have ever visited when I was 8 years old. The love of BC brought me back as an immigrant when I was 18 – that was in 2011! I then pursued a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Victoria and am now part of the team at ICA.

One of the things I love most about Canada is its tolerant attitude towards differences as the first country in the world to adopt multiculturalism as an official policy. I was privileged to be brought up in a very multicultural society, and it nurtured a love for discovery and languages. My fluency in 3 languages allows me to explore many other cultures and to connect with individuals from different backgrounds. I feel strongly about the importance of multiculturalism in shaping an inclusive, productive and culturally rich society and was awarded the Maple Leaf Youth Award for an essay stressing the importance of multiculturalism in our Canadian society.

I am excited to be part of the ICA team and to bring my personal and previous work experience into play to celebrate diversity and promote a sense of belonging for newcomers in their new home!

Zhiqi Jiang, Newcomer Youth Summer Camp Facilitator

Hello. My name is Zhiqi Jiang, I am one of the new summer students for ICA Youth Summer Camps. I just graduated from Claremont Secondary School in June. I arrived in Canada with my family from China in 2013, since then ICA has been very helpful to me and my family. Therefore, I became an active participant at ICA and volunteered at the Homework Club for one and a half years. Interacting with ICA triggered my interest in newcomer issues, I even started a club in my school to assist newcomer students. In addition, I volunteered for Craigdarroch Castle and Victoria Conservatory of Music. I love interacting with people and gradually found my passion in humanity issues. In September, I am heading to         the University of Toronto to major in International Relations. I am very excited to spend my last summer of high school working in this friendly and familiar environment. I am also looking forward to meeting new friends, and to gain new knowledge and skills.

Melody Wise, Newcomer Youth Summer Camp Facilitator

I’ve been involved with ICA for a little over a year as a volunteer with youth programs such as the Homework Club, Youth Community Project, and the Vibe. This summer, I am more than excited to be taking on the role of Immigrant Youth Summer Camps Facilitator. I’m inspired by the unbounded potential in newcomer children and youth and have dedicated six years to working with youth in recreational and educational environments. As a volunteer at the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, and the daughter of an immigrant, I have a special appreciation for the difficulties faced by newcomers. I have great admiration for the support that ICA provides to newcomers in Victoria and feel incredibly lucky to aid an organization like ICA in creating welcoming and inclusive communities.