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NNAC – Newcomers’ Network Advisory Committee
About the NNAC
The Newcomer Network Advisory Committee, also referred to as NNAC, is currently comprised of seven individuals that have resided in Canada for less than five years. Many of the committee members have only been here for less than six months!
Their purpose is to advise our Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Katzie LIP Council on the gaps and barriers that newcomers face upon arriving in our community and to help guide our strategic initiatives. Without these dedicated new community members, our Council would not have the perspective to work towards positive outcomes for all newcomers to our communities.
Meet The Team
Miyoung - Chair
Name: Miyoung
Language(s): Korean, Mandarin, & English
Country of Origin: Korea
Arrived in Canada: 2018
Occupation: Through LIP, Miyoung was hired at an immigration serving organization.
Goal: Miyoung wants newcomers to have the same positive experience that she had when she moved to Canada.
Andrea
Name: Andrea
Language(s): Spanish and English
Country of Origin: Mexico
Arrived in Canada: 2022
Occupation: Online Counsellor Psychologist
Goal: Andrea desires that newcomers receive the necessary support and guidance to effectively navigate their challenge, thereby facilitating a more tolerable adaptation process.
Virginia
Name: Virginia
Language(s): English, Cantonese, Mandarin, French, Currently learning Spanish
Country of Origin: Macau
Arrived in Canada: 2015
Occupation: Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Goal: I would like to help Newcomers make connections in the community to help them gain a sense of belonging.
Jenny
Name: Haengjin Oh ( call me Jenny)
Language(s): English, Korean
Country of Origin: Korea
Occupation: housework
Goal: I want our newcomers to be stronger and happier together!!
Lorena
Name: Lorena
Language(s): Spanish and English
Country of origin: Colombia
Arrived in Canada:2022
Occupation: Early childhood education (ECE)
Goal: I would like to get actively involved in the community that welcomed me when I arrived in Canada, as well as grow personally and contribute my knowledge to newcomers, giving them the opportunity to feel welcome and helped in their new beginning.
Shaila
Name: Shaila
Language(s): English, Bengali,Hindi & Urdu
Country of origin: Bangladesh
Arrived in Canada:2018
Occupation: Early childhood education (ECE)
Goal: I would like to build a meaningful connection with the community I live in , while sharing countless memories and gaining invaluable experiences through working with the Newcomer’s Network Advisory Committee.
Mushaffiul
Name: Mushaffiul
Language(s): Bengali, English, Hindi, Urdu & Arabic
Country of origin: Bangladesh
Arrived in Canada:2019
Occupation: Immigration Agency
Goal: I want to utilize my free time away from work & other day to day responsibilities in a meaningful and productive manner. I want to meet new people , spend meaningful time in my community and assist newcomers wholeheartedly, in British Columbia & Canada, concerning the issues I faced myself all with the end goal of making the Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and Katzie region more enjoyable and welcoming for people from all walks of life.
Special Thanks
To all the members of the committee who continued their successful careers in Canada. We will be forever grateful for your time, dedication, and hard work!
Kamelia
Name: Kamelia
Language(s): Farsi & English
Country of Origin: Iran
Arrived in Canada: 2020
Occupation: Has a Bachelor’s of Science in Software Engineering.
Goal: Kamelia’s vision for Maple Ridge is to make it a more vibrant, inclusive, and attractive place to live.
Calena
Name: Calena Rodriguez
Language(s): Spanish & English
Country of Origin: El Salvador
Arrived in Canada: 2017
Occupation: Before arriving to Canada, Calena obtained a Master’s degree in Finance and worked as a Cost Analyst for a well-known multinational company.
Goal: Calena is motivated by the idea of collaborating with Newcomers and making their onboarding process easier.
Leila
Name: Leila
Language(s): Farsi & English
Country of Origin: Iran
Arrived in Canada: 2021
Occupation: Leila was a lawyer in her country of origin.
Goal: Leila wants new immigrants to view Canada as their own country as soon as possible.
Rita - Ex- Chair
Name: Rita
Language(s): Russian, Ukrainian, Hebrew & English
Country of Origin: Ukraine/Israel
Arrived in Canada: 2018
Occupation: Rita is a Yoga teacher, and has a Bachelor’s in Politics and Government as well as in Social Work.
Goal: Rita hopes to help create a welcoming, comfortable and accessible city for Newcomers to feel a sense of belonging.
Saloni
Name: Saloni
Language(s): Hindi, Gujurati, Mewadi, & English
Country of Origin: India
Arrived in Canada: 2020
Occupation: Saloni has done a digital marketing course from BCIT, and has started a company called the Thumbprints which promotes rural Indian handcrafts and paintings.
Goal: Saloni strives to build community connections and share experiences through volunteering at the Maple Ridge Advisory Committee.
New to Canada and Ridge Meadows?
Do you want to be heard?
Do you want to help newcomers like yourself?
Do you want to make a difference?