Our Stories

A true community leader and an accomplished woman, Emilienne found her way to IRCOM through volunteer opportunities and quickly impressed us all during her interview. One of the panellists even remarked, “We are hiring the future ED.” That impression was no surprise - before coming to Canada, Emilienne was a national leader in women’s development in her country of origin, bringing a depth of experience, vision, and commitment to community empowerment that continues to shape her work today.

Emilienne has been a truly dedicated ACBP team member who takes her responsibilities seriously. She consistently ensured that 100% of program spaces were filled, that participants who missed sessions attended make-up classes, and that homework was completed and program steps were thoughtfully followed. She transformed financial literacy workshops into vibrant, supportive spaces where participants shared resources, built confidence, developed relationships, and strengthened their sense of community.

Emilienne is fearless in raising issues that need attention and generous with her time, expertise, and skills. While we once thought we had hired a future leader in a formal sense, Emilienne has always reminded us that she prefers leading from behind the scenes. For more than ten years, she has remained the trusted and highly respected Matched Savings staff member, quietly but powerfully creating lasting impact.

Through the Saving Circle, Transportation Loan, and IDA programs, Emilienne has recruited, supported, and empowered more than 1,000 newcomers. She is widely known in the community for her encouragement, mentorship, and unwavering support.

We thank you for your commitment and dedication, Emilienne. Congratulations on your 10th anniversary - and here’s to many more years together.

Rania is an accountant by trade, and started her journey at IRCOM in our Childcare department and has worked across several departments over the years. Along the way, she quietly impressed us with her professionalism, adaptability, dedication to excellence, and commitment to continuous growth.



When Rania joined the Asset and Capacity Building Programs, where she continues to work today, she found a role that connected closely with her profession and strengths. Since then, she has consistently embraced new challenges and opportunities to grow. Rania is truly one of the most well-rounded employees at IRCOM. From nurturing children in our childcare program, to serving as a settlement worker, Access to Benefits Navigator, Matched Savings Program staff member, Team Lead, and now Program Coordinator, she has excelled in every role she has taken on.



Rania has also been a valued member of our leadership team. Most recently, during the busy income tax season, she mobilized her team and implemented a clinic-style approach that enabled the team to file over 1,000 tax returns. Her ability to organize, lead, and support her team contributed greatly to this success.



Her colleagues describe her best:



“Rania is someone you can always count on-kind, caring, and always willing to go the extra mile to support others.”

“Rania is smart, fun, and interesting, and she gets things done so fast that she makes me look like I’m still reading the instructions. She is also a great team player who somehow manages to move that fast while bringing everyone along with her.”



Rania, we deeply appreciate your expertise, passion, leadership, and dedication. Congratulations on your 10-year anniversary at IRCOM. Thank you for the countless ways you have contributed to our organization and community. We look forward to celebrating many more milestones with you in the years to come.

Lily has been one of the key staff members whose contributions have spanned multiple departments throughout her 10 years at IRCOM. She began her journey in the Childcare Department before moving to Housing, where she built deep and lasting relationships with the families she supported. For many tenants, Lily is IRCOM – as a Housing Assistant, she was often the very first person they met, welcoming them into their new home and helping them feel a sense of belonging from day one.

Over the years, Lily has become known for her warm, compassionate approach and her unwavering commitment to advocating for those facing systemic barriers. During the pandemic, she worked on site as an essential worker - at times carrying the tenancies team almost on her own. Despite the risks, she showed up every day for our families. To this day, people turn to Lily for quick solutions and thoughtful guidance.

For the past three years, Lily has been a valued member of our management team, leading the program where she first began her career. Her leadership has extended to Language Training, Common Ground, and the Volunteer Program.

Lily has made significant contributions not only to IRCOM’s programs but also to the organization’s overall development. She never hesitates to step in where needed, including recently taking an entire department under her wing during a management vacancy.

Above all, Lily is caring, open-minded, and an exceptional learner. Her intelligence, compassion, and leadership have left a lasting impact on our organization and the people we serve.

Thank you, Lily, for 10 years of dedication, community building, service, and leadership. We are deeply grateful for all that you have contributed and continue to contribute.

Congratulations on completing ten years, Shima. It’s a major accomplishment – and you have fully earned every success that has come your way.

Shima has worked with IRCOM for ten years and has been involved in the program even longer – she has been a shining light in ASP programming every step of the way. With the world’s most contagious smile, Shima has been a mentor to countless children, youth, other staff and community members.

Shima is “the encyclopedia of ASP (the After School Program)”. She can effortlessly recall the names, unit numbers, siblings, cousins, friends, and passions of children and youth that have long since left IRCOM – and it is always her that they look for when youth come to visit us. That lasting connection speaks volumes about the care, attention and genuine relationships Shima builds with every young person she meets.

Shima is deeply committed and is so filled with love and care for the children and families at IRCOM. She has always been a strong advocate for equity, fairness, and joy. She is also an active mentor and leader in the community as part of the Ladies of Rwanda cultural dance group, helping to keep traditions alive and sharing culture with pride and generosity.

Shima is one of a kind, genuinely loved and looked up to by so many people in ASP, and she takes on every challenge the program brings with grace and dignity.

As she has grown from a front-line role into a management position, we have admired her growing voice, confidence, and leadership presence. Shima is the true heart of ASP, and we are so fortunate she has chosen to dedicate so much time, experience, love and passion to our program and to IRCOM.

Congratulations to Abdi (Abdirahman Ahmed) on reaching an incredible milestone of 10 years of service at IRCOM.

Over the past decade, Abdi has made meaningful contributions across several IRCOM programs, including Housing, Community Resource, and the Asset and Capacity Building Programs. Throughout his time, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting newcomer families, building trusting relationships and community connections, and helping clients access opportunities that promote stability and success.

Early in his time with IRCOM, during the opening of our second housing site, Abdi took on the demanding role of being the only Housing Assistant working across two buildings. Despite the pressure, he did his best to ensure tenants were welcomed with care and supported as they settled into their new homes. His reliability and dedication during that time made a lasting impact on both the team and the families he served.

Abdi may be quieter in nature, but he is incredibly thoughtful. When he speaks, it carries meaning and insight. His calm, grounded presence, along with his adaptability and willingness to step in wherever needed, have made him a valued team member and trusted colleague.

More recently, Abdi joined the Asset and Capacity Building Programs team, contributing to an incredible milestone this past year - completing 1,000 tax returns. As a newer team member, being part of this achievement speaks to his strong work ethic and commitment to learning.

Through his work, Abdi has positively impacted countless individuals and families while helping advance IRCOM’s mission. He has also been a co-worker whom you want to spend time with – calm, friendly, and incredibly helpful. His wonderful sense of humour keeps us all smiling and enjoying his stories - and cooking adventures - and he always helps build a feeling of community and belonging, just by simply being himself.

Thank you, Abdi, for your 10 years of service and dedication. We are grateful for all that you have accomplished and look forward to your continued impact.

Celebrating Fitsum Getahun today!

Fitsum is really an “elder” in disguise - she has the wisdom of a 90-year-old, the patience of a saint, and the endurance and stamina of a 20-year-old. Fitsum does not take up much space as a leader, but she is a strong leader nonetheless.

Fitsum was IRCOM’s first ACBP coordinator, working incredibly hard to meet the community where they were at. Despite not having childcare on weekends, she would bring her kids with her, get them settled, and deliver Money Management Training on weekends because it was the best time for our community to gather. Over the years, Fitsum grew that program, doubling its impact and helping hundreds of newcomers to Canada build financial literacy skills that enabled them to buy homes, pay for their children’s education, and so much more.

Fitsum always has a kind word and a way of mentoring and coaching others that is truly magical to watch and experience - and by watching her, we all learn. She is deeply dedicated to IRCOM, a champion of our families and all newcomers, and someone who truly believes in the strengths of our community. She is well-known and respected by many, and she brings warmth, humor, and a ready smile wherever she goes.

Fitsum is a genuine, smart, and skilled leader, and IRCOM is her “baby” almost as much as her own children. Over the years, Fitsum has helped shape the IRCOM we know today - having been involved in, and at times supervised, nearly every program we offer. She knows IRCOM inside and out, and her guidance, insight, and expertise have influenced and strengthened every department. Her leadership has left a lasting imprint across the organization, quietly shaping our programs, our approach, and our impact in the community.

We are deeply thankful that Fitsum has chosen to spend 15 years with IRCOM - and we hope this continues for another 15 more.

Shoutout to ZenVibe Corporate Gifts Inc!

A huge thank you to Nishant and the team at ZenVibe for their outstanding work on our custom-branded event materials! From our eye-catching branded tent to the vibrant Summer Celebration banners and professionally crafted tablecloths, every piece exceeded our expectations.

More inspiring stories from this year’s IRCOM scholarship recipients.

Through their applications, these young people shared their future plans, experiences, and hopes for what comes next. Their stories remind us of the talent, determination, and potential within our community.

Congratulations to each of our recipients. We’re proud to celebrate this milestone with you and wish you all the best for the future.

#IRCOM #ScholarshipRecipients #YouthAchievement #NewcomerYouth #CommunityOfBelonging