Q & A Waterloo Region

Conversation with Eltag Elkhalifa and Dave Thomas

The Waterloo Region is home to a Connector Program housed in the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre. The Centre aims to foster inclusion by providing settlement services, programs and interpretation supports to their community while celebrating its cultural diversity. Kitchener-Waterloo has been a staunch supporter of the Connector program as a whole for a number of years, so it was a pleasure to talk “Connector” with Dave Thomas, Connector program Coordinator and Eltag El-Khalifa, employment and special projects manager.

Interview by Alida Campbell.

Alida manages the National Connector Program and continues to be inspired by the stories of connection and growth that participants share across the country.

Alida:

It’s great to see you both again, and thanks for chatting with me today. Let’s jump right in, tell me about the Connector Program and your organization.

Dave:

The Connector Program is a channel through which we can expand our linkages to the community, especially the private sector. It helps us to connect clients with those sectors and brings value to our purpose, which is to help people. We help people integrate into the community in different ways, and the Connector program helps us integrate them into the job market and professional community in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Eltag:

As an immigrant serving organization, we strive to help immigrants settle in Kitchener-Waterloo, so this program fits very well. It’s like a beacon for newcomers. It shows them the way for their future employment in Canada. They can learn about the hidden job market by being connected to the Connectors. They can discover what’s out there, it’s a great opportunity to access jobs.

Alida:

It’s easy to see how this program positively affects newcomers, what about the community as a whole? How does it impact Kitchener-Waterloo?

Eltag:

When Connectees are able to meet people, connect to those in their field, and find employment, they start working, and this helps the economy. They also can begin to feel like they belong in the community as well. The Community will grow and be interconnected. Newcomers and Connectors also develop relationships, and this benefits the community.

Dave:

It always comes back to the people – the people we help, the companies we help, and the people who already live here. It’s about building the community – the more we grow, the more the community does too. The Connector program helps to create human connections so people can learn from one another. In the larger picture, society itself is enriched by people coming together in non-monetary ways and learning from one another. That’s why you do the work you do.

Alida:

Speaking about building community, Dave what about the National Connector Program community? What does being a part of the community of practice mean to you?

Dave:

It's a valuable forum where we can exchange information and share best practices. More importantly, it's a venue to build closer connections among colleagues and among communities. That cooperation, collaboration and camaraderie strengthens our work and allows us to serve our clients and communities more effectively.

Alida:

Eltag, the final question is for you – for communities that don’t yet have a program, what might you say to them?

Eltag:

I would encourage them to start a program. It’s a very good program. We’ve got lots of recommendations from our Connectees, and they are spreading the word to their networks that they should join the program. That’s the best recommendation we can have to show that the program works and is worth starting in any community.

Alida:

Thank you both for your time and answering my questions, I’m so glad the program continues to thrive with your passion and dedication! Helping people create that network really does strengthen the community.