From Newcomer to Canadian Citizen

Lin Tian first connected with University Settlement in March 2017, shortly after arriving in Canada as a newcomer. Facing the challenges of immigration at midlife and with limited English, Lin found herself overwhelmed by the complexities of adjusting to a new country. Yet on May 6, 2024, she proudly became a Canadian citizen — a milestone she credits in part to the support she received through our Social Services program.

“I want to sincerely thank all the staff at University Settlement, especially social worker Jimmy Lam, for the incredible help they’ve provided to me and my family,” Lin shares.

New to Canada and unfamiliar with the language, Lin found even everyday tasks daunting. “It took me three months before I felt comfortable going out alone,” she recalls. Simple things like understanding letters from the government or navigating public transportation were major hurdles.

When she turned to University Settlement for help, she found not only information and support, but compassion. “Jimmy became someone I could turn to whenever I didn’t understand something — whether it was filing taxes, reading government notices, calling the CRA, writing to my OW caseworker, or applying for citizenship.”

Lin speaks with deep gratitude about how Jimmy and other staff consistently supported her with patience and kindness. “There were so many things I couldn’t do on my own. Without the help of these social workers, I might not be here today.”

She credits the presence of supportive social services like those at University Settlement as vital to the success and well-being of newcomers:

“With the help of agencies like this, new immigrants like me can build stable lives and live peacefully in Canada. I never had the chance to say these things before, but today, I want to say them out loud. I truly hope University Settlement continues to grow and help more people like me.”

Lin’s journey is a powerful reminder of how crucial settlement services are — not just in navigating systems, but in building confidence, community, and a sense of belonging in a new home.