Volunteer of the Month - July 2016

Ilma joined Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC) in March 2015 and since then has selflessly dedicated her time to help others as employment coach, community volunteer, interpreter, and translator.

“I work as an Analyst in Calgary’s dynamic corporate sector and I earned my Bachelor’s Degree at Mount Royal University. On weekends you can find me in the mountains, watching a funny movie, enjoying Spanish music, or just hanging out with the people I love. I enjoy learning about different cultures and history, which has inspired me to study various languages and travel to many countries.

I was born in the beautiful little country of Bosnia and Herzegovina and immigrated to Canada in the 1990s. To cope with the devastating aftermath of the war in Bosnia and also the challenges of starting a new life in Canada, we were given incredible support from a number of Bosnian Calgarians who have since become like extended family to us. Their kindness and help in those difficult times taught me about the importance of community support, especially for immigrants. Over the years, I have also watched my parents continuously give their time to help others while working hard to build a life for us. They inspire me to do the same. I volunteer at ISC to help newcomers adjust to their new lives and to pay forward the great opportunities I have had as an immigrant in this country. As a translator and interpreter, I enjoy putting my language skills to work and as an employment coach, I love seeing the amazing talent that Calgary is receiving from all over the world and helping my clients build foundations for successful careers. Immigrants are an integral part of Canadian society and I hope that someday our clients become as proud as I am to contribute to their communities.”

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” -Gandhi

Ilma has been a remarkable addition to our volunteer team and we are grateful for her continuous involvement!

Congratulations Ilma!