About

My name is Nina, and I came to Canada on February 16th, 1993, as an immigrant with my husband. As newcomers to Canada, not speaking the language, adapting to a different climate, and lacking financial resources were incredibly challenging for us.Leaving behind what we had built and studied in our home country, we faced numerous difficulties and became stronger as a result. We left our country due to political issues, wanting to have children and raise them in a country where they would be safe, free, and have their rights respected.When we arrived in Canada, we had only $5 in our pockets. The government supported us for a year, providing the necessities to start our life here, and we are forever grateful for that. Both of us joined the LINC program for newcomers to learn the language and culture. After a year, we had our first child in September 1994, adding the experience of parenthood to our responsibilities.My husband and I attended college and worked part-time to provide for our family. We didn't mind working at coffee shops, bakeries, overnight shifts, and more because we had a dream of giving back to the community that welcomed us when we needed a place to start over.Through hard work and perseverance, we eventually opened a program for individuals with mental or physical limitations, dual diagnoses, and intellectual disabilities. We understand how important and valuable community resources are because, in countries like Iran, such support systems were lacking for families in need.With our program, we hope to support and give back to our community, providing the necessary resources and care for those who need it most.