Stream 2 Success Story

Community Bridging Services Success Story: Jessica Yeonok Lee

"Here, if you work hard, anything is possible", says Jessica. When Jessica Yeonok Lee came to Canada from her native Korea in January of 2002, she knew some English, but soon found it wasn't enough. Through S.U.C.C.E.S.S., one of the agencies that administers a Community Bridging Services contract under the B.C. Settlement and Adaptation Program, she was assigned a volunteer host. Now, she's practicing the language and learning a lot about her adopted country.

Jessica says she received lots of help in the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. settlement program. She wanted to pass that along to other immigrants, so she volunteered to act as the receptionist at S.U.C.C.E.S.S. It was then she became aware of the host program.

"It sounded great since I could improve my English and make a friend at the same time, so I applied for it," Jessica says. "Heidi is very nice and we talk a lot so I can improve my English. That's the best thing."

Heidi Arikan is Jessica's volunteer host. Heidi immigrated from Switzerland 25 years ago, and understands what it’s like to be new in a strange land.

"Because we got together through S.U.C.C.E.S.S., there was an immediate trust," she says. "She's not a stranger and I'm not a stranger."

Heidi helped Jessica shop for a townhouse, took her to doctors’ appointments and made sure she understood what the doctor said, and went to lunch with her many times as a volunteer host. Now, she serves as a friend. Just as important for Jessica, Heidi is helping her practice and improve her English so that she can apply to go to school to become a community social services worker.

"Heidi has been volunteering as a host for over two years and is still in contact with the Chinese and Thai families she hosted previously. "The commitment is for the first six months," Heidi explains. "After that I don't need to do so much anymore but they know they can always call me. I won't drop them. They are my friends now."

The Community Bridging Services program helps immigrants get to know the community, and at the same time, helps the host community to learn about the immigrants. The service is available to newcomer adults, families and youth in a number of communities across B.C.

"Why do people like Heidi volunteer to help immigrants in this way? She says she's a senior citizen and wants to help others. "But I want friends too," she adds. "It works both ways."

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