Meet Vanessa. She is a Program Coordinator and Instructor for the Child Development Worker Training program at CIWA.

Vanessa moved to Canada in 2016 because she wanted to have an international experience and expand her view of life. She speaks Tagalog, Bicolano, and Filipino.

Vanessa first learned of CIWA after seeing our CEO Beba Svigir on the news. After learning about CIWA’s programs and how they give back to the community, Vanessa was inspired to start volunteering with our organization. Vanessa has now been working with CIWA for over 4.5 years.

“Seeing immigrant women gain confidence, get jobs, and integrate into the Canadian society successfully gives me a sense of fulfillment, which is something that money can’t buy.”

Vanessa believes that traditional gender roles, language, gaining work experience, and training/certification are some of the most important barriers immigrant women are facing today. CIWA offers support in all these areas through different programs, such as employment bridging programs, language training, family and parenting programs.

“What I like most about my job is meeting people from all over the world. I am a creature of learning, and I am always curious about anything and everything. There is always a room for me to grow. I am a work in progress.”

Outside of work, Vanessa enjoys several hobbies including photography and art, and spending time with family and friends.

To learn more about our Child Development Worker Training program, click here.