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Mentorship helps build a new life.

Manuela Saliba remembers her exciting yet difficult journey from Brazil to Canada as if it were yesterday. She had high hopes and distinguished qualifications, and was confident that she could make it in a new country.
It wasn’t until Manuela was approached by a stewardess that her confidence began to wane. “The stewardess asked me if I would like an apple,” she recalls. “I was stumped because I had no clue what an apple was.” At that moment reality set in, and Manuela realized everything was about to change.
“I was really scared. I did not speak or understand any English,” recalls Manuela. “Nothing ever prepared me for a culture that was so drastically different than what I was used to.”
Once in Canada, in addition to facing cultural challenges, Manuela found herself struggling to find a job despite having eight years of experience in the Human Resources industry and a university degree in psychology. “I reminded myself to not let anything bring me down,” she says. “I felt privileged to be here and I wanted to prove I could succeed.”
Manuela realized she needed Canadian work experience to find a job, so she began looking for ways to become involved in the community. She began volunteering at restaurants and coffee shops to learn English. “There is no better way to improve your communication skills than to talk everyday, so I did just that,” says Manuela with a smile. As she gained confidence in her skills, Manuela began volunteering with immigrants, helping them with their resumes and interviewing skills.
Her path was long and marked by obstacles and experiences that made her question her worth. There was a time when she lost sight of her goals, lost her identity and even lost confidence that everything would come together.
It was around that time Manuela heard from a friend about Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS), an agency supported by United Way of Calgary and Area that provides settlement and integration services to newcomers. “My life changed with CCIS,” she says. “The experience I received opened my mind, opened doors and they reminded me that I could do more.”
When questioned why these programs are so important, she said it is programs like these that make all the difference. Both CCIS and United Way gave Manuela the tools, training and mentorship she needed to gain confidence in her skills and to do a job that supports our city, province and country.
“Without their help, I would not be where I am today,” adds Manuela.
Today Manuela is a Senior HR Specialist working for a leading oil and gas recruitment firm in Calgary and continues to give back to other new immigrants who face the same challenges she did just a few short years ago. 

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