“Leaving Uganda and arriving in Canada was a huge shock. I felt lost and like I didn’t belong. At Covenant House Vancouver, I found community. They connected me to people, resources, and spaces where I felt safe and seen. That support helped me put down roots and build a new life here.” Christine, former CHV youth
People migrate to Canada for a variety of reasons. For some it might be for something positive such as a new job. However, for some, it’s a matter of survival.
Christine came to Canada with her family who told her that it was a family vacation. However, when it came time to go back to Uganda, Christine was intentionally left behind. Christine is a member of the 2SLGBTQAI+ community which is outlawed in Uganda. Although her mom’s intentions were good — to keep her daughter safe — it left Christine in a vulnerable position, as she knew nothing about Canadian society and had no one to support her.
Newcomer Facts and Challenges
According to the 2021 census:
- 23% of the Canadian population was born outside Canada
- All immigrants experience a poverty gap compared to Canadians born in Canada
Mental Health Challenges
Regardless of whether a newcomer to Canada has come here for positive reasons, or because they have no other choice, being a newcomer can create mental health challenges that can sometimes lead to suicide ideation.
Here are some of the reasons why a young person’s mental health may decline after immigrating to Canada:
- Discrimination: based on their country of origin and/or race which can impact a newcomer’s ability to find employment or housing. They may also have negative experiences with the law, and may experience discrimination-based violence
- Trauma: PTSD and other trauma-related disorders are prevalent among refugees who have been exposed to violence
- Lack of social connection: moving away from family and friends, and difficulty in making new friends in a new culture
- Unemployment, underemployment, and financial hardship: education from their home country may not be recognized, or they can be seen as overqualified, which can lead to financial hardship and loss of social status
- Living in a new culture: newcomers may feel confused or excluded
- Language barriers: communication challenges can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. If services are not offered in their native language, this could lead to challenges in receiving the proper help
- Differing views about seeking support: in some countries (like Christine’s) mental health is not discussed which could lead to newcomers not knowing what services are available to help them
The Reality of Being 2SLGBTQAI+ in Other Countries
The freedoms that we take for granted, here in Canada, are not so across the globe. Here’s the dangers of being 2SLGBTQAI+ in other countries:
- Nearly 70 countries criminalize consensual same-sex sexual acts. Six states impose the death penalty, and five additional states have the legal possibility of imposing it
- In 14 countries, trans and gender non-conforming people face legal discrimination
- Over 80% of forcibly displaced 2SLGBTQAI+ people reside in neighbouring countries and can of experience recurring human rights violations and criminalization, as well as threats from local and refugee populations
Christine had been an outspoken 2SLGBTQAI+ advocate in Uganda and had ended up in jail. The fear that this could happen again with more serious consequences was the impetus behind her mom’s desire to bring Christine to Canada.
In addition to all of the challenges that newcomers can face in Canada, there are the dangers associated with nefarious people who pose as agents and claim that they can facilitate a newcomer’s integration in Canadian society. Dana’s story is a cautionary tale that illustrates what can happen to an unsuspecting newcomer.
How Covenant House Vancouver Helps Newcomer Youth
Food
Food at Covenant House Vancouver is more than just a daily necessity—it’s a powerful tool for building trust and offering comfort. For many of the youth who come through our doors, a warm meal is a symbol of stability and represents a safe space where they are cared for.
Youth who have experienced food insecurity learn about the importance of nutritional meals and how it affects their mental and physical health. Youth in our Crisis and Rights of Passage programs learn many life skills, such as how to cook, budget, and shop, which is vital when they transition to independence and know how to meet their nutritional needs, on a budget.
Education and Employment
Some youth who come to CHV want to reenter, or continue with, their education, and some seek employment. For those whose interests are around education, CHV has a host of supports such as helping with school applications, finding funding, and providing supplies. Volunteer supports such as mentors and tutors bolster what CHV can offer youth.
For those whose goals are to find employment, staff help with finding work that youth are interested in, resume creation, and interview preparation. Through community partnerships, CHV can also help young people obtain the certification needed for employment.
Mental Health
CHV supports newcomers in a number of ways to help with their mental health:
- We encourage community involvement, which can give a newcomer a sense of belonging and purpose
- We help foster existing cultural connections and help to create connections here in Canada. Maintaining a connection to their culture and embracing the culture of their new country can bolster mental health
- We provide spiritual care, for those who request it, to support a youth’s identity, which helps buffer against discrimination
Christine
As a queer youth who was abandoned in a foreign country, Christine experienced complex trauma. When she first arrived at CHV, Christine needed rest and nutrition. She was provided with a safe space to rest and CHV’s Food Services team made sure that she was well nourished.
As Christine began to feel safe, she realized that she was accepted as her authentic self. CHV also connected Christine to resources like Qmunity, where she met other queer youth and began to make friends.
After eight months at CHV, Christine had a full-time job, she knew her way around the city, and she was starting to feel confident. Christine felt ready to move out of CHV.
Christine is now a therapist. She has taken her experiences and is now helping others like CHV helped her.
“Covenant House did things for me that even my own family didn’t do. For me, that was highly transformative.”
Help More Youth Feel at Home
The transformative work that Christine did, while at Covenant House Vancouver, never would have happened without the amazing support of our community. Donors are the backbone of our organization.
Right now, when you support young people, like Christine, your gift will be doubled, thanks to the Wubs Family Foundation, who will match any gift, up to $100,000, but only until June 30th!
Donate today and walk alongside youth as they journey towards a better future. and walk alongside youth as they journey towards a better future.