Cultivating Community

From Homesickness to Cultural Enrichment

When we set out on a foreign land with a language not our own, that can sometimes be isolating.

Coming to Canada not knowing anyone was terrifying and also an adventure in itself. It challenged my resilience and adaptation to a new environment.

It seems natural to seek out a community for integration, one that is broken down into smaller clusters that are culturally binding and values-aligning.

In Victoria, the Filipino community began to take root in the 1960s when a group of nurses would gather after their shifts, seeking companionship to alleviate the homesickness they experienced.

Today, the community continues to flourish, with numerous ongoing projects aimed at becoming an integral part of the Canadian Mosaic. What began with a group of nurses has evolved into the ownership of its center, dedicated to welcoming newcomers and helping them integrate seamlessly into Canadian life, while also connecting them to government programs, bringing them closer to home.

As we embrace our essence, we radiate it to the community in which we live, and from there, it radiates to the city, the country, and the world.

Grateful for the community.

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