Newcomers to Canada face numerous challenges: They miss their families, are unsure about employment and face language barriers.
Many Douglas College international students face these same challenges and fears every day.
That’s why it made sense for a group of these students taking marketing at Douglas' Coquitlam campus to use their new skills to create a social media campaign for an organization that supports newcomers.
Through the Envision Financial-Douglas College Community Building Program, the students — including Aaron Price, Arzo Ghiasi, Gabriela Babun, Miguel Legaspi and Daniella Tesan — developed a marketing plan for the Umoja Operation Compassion Society, which offers family drop-in programs, adult literacy programs and after-school programs, among other things.
“One of the reasons we applied for this opportunity with Douglas College and Envision Financial was to build awareness, build capacity, and build a community for Umoja,” said Jamie Kopp, program manager for the Surrey-based organization, in a press release. "It has been great to be able to work with such knowledgeable students that can take where we’re at and help sustain the organization in the long run."
The students, from countries including Iran, Turkey and El Salvador, conducted research and interviews and created two videos that have been posted to YouTube explaining the program. As well, on April 11, the students will live stream what they learned at facebook.com/EnvisionFinacialDouglas.
The videos highlight the struggles and the successes of coming to Canada with the help of Umoja. And the students say they learned a lot from the experience of listening to those who benefit from Umoja programs.
From January to April every year, Douglas students work with non-profit organizations to build strategic marketing plans. Envision Financial, a division of First West Credit Union, has collaborated with Douglas on this innovative approach to learning for seven years.
