Q & A Ottawa

Conversation with Amal Aramouni and Hiba Fazlullah

Ottawa signed on as a National Connector Program in 2014 and helps hundreds of newcomers every year. They are a best practice example of the program, and we are so proud to be able to work with and support the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization in their work to make Ottawa an inclusive city in which all immigrants contribute their gifts, skills, values, and culture. We recently sat down with Amal Aramouni, the Connector Program Coordinator, and Hiba Fazlullah, the Manager of Community Economic Development at OCISO.

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:

OCISOs vision is to make Ottawa an inclusive city where all newcomers can contribute – how does the Connector Program help to accomplish this?

Amal:

The program raises awareness in the community of the importance of newcomers to Ottawa and our community. It helps change people’s perceptions of newcomers, to understand they are qualified, skilled individuals, able to do any job as well as any Canadian can.

Hiba:

It’s bringing the community together, and helping people identify their hidden biases. In some cases, they may never have been able to mingle with newcomers. In the Connector Program, they get to meet a newcomer. Newcomers also get to meet and see Canadians, how they look at things, their perspective on matters. So, it builds understanding, and brings the community together. We need to make sure people make these connections, and bring the community together, it can only happen when we make the right connections, and the program helps us accomplish this.

Alida:

It’s really beautiful to see how such a simple program can make such a difference. What about your organization? How does the program fit into OCISO and benefit your work?

Hiba:

For the organization, it helps us build capacity to offer additional services and value added to what we are already doing. It is feasible and doable for Connectors, and clients can tap into the expertise of multiple connectors. There is a lot of synergy and an added layer of support for newcomers.

Amal:

The Connector Program helps to attract clients to the organization. They show an interest in the Connector Program and then they join other programs. It helps broaden the offerings from OCISO, thus helping to bridge the gaps for clients who don’t fit other programs. Clients find that the connector program is a good steppingstone to networking in the community. It also helps OCISO keep their mentors engaged, as they can be connectors if they don’t get matched with a mentee for a period of time.

Alida:

That’s wonderful. Amal, as the coordinator, you work on the front lines, meeting with clients who become Connectees, and with community members who become Connectors. What does this work mean to you?

Amal:

I like to support and connect with people. I know the difficulties a newcomer goes through; I know how they are feeling. I also have a professional development background, so I enjoy helping people develop professionally. It is warming to see people being served and getting the support they need. When people get a job, or use information they gathered via the program, they thrive, and it is really rewarding to see that. When the program truly works out for people – it’s so beautiful to see. In my work, it’s really important to help the community, it’s a top value, and I get to do that in this role.

Alida:

Thank you so much for sharing. I have one final question. Hiba, as manager of the Community Economic Development programs, what would you say to other communities about the Connector Program?

Hiba:

The concept of being able to fulfill our needs and organizations’ needs through connecting people is why I would bring this program to my community. We need to make sure people make these connections, and bring the community together, it can only happen when we make the right connections, and the program helps us accomplish this. If you aren’t connected, we are just people living close together. If you want to be a community, you need connections. If you want connections, you need a connector program.

Alida:

What a comment to end with! Thank you both for your dedication to the program, and for speaking to me today.