{"id":91772,"date":"2025-05-01T13:05:59","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T17:05:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/?p=91772"},"modified":"2025-11-14T16:32:38","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T21:32:38","slug":"sami-from-newcomer-to-new-coach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/en\/blog\/sami-from-newcomer-to-new-coach\/","title":{"rendered":"Sami: From newcomer to new coach"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After fleeing war and poverty in his home country, Sami put every hope he had into a new start in Quebec. But when he arrived, the realities of immigration hit hard, as he faced culture shock, a language barrier, and a loss of self-confidence. <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What with housing searches, immigration paperwork, and financial pressure, every day was a silent battle.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When Sami got to Montreal, he immediately had to navigate the barriers that many newcomers know all too well: a language he didn’t know, a seemingly impenetrable job market, and a lack of family and friend network, which left him deeply isolated. Even basic things like finding a place to live, filling out official forms, and managing his daily life seemed like insurmountable tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But everything changed one day when a community agency in his neighbourhood extended a lifeline. They invited him to activities so that he could practise his French, advised him on finding his first job in Quebec, and gave him opportunities to meet other people. Over time, Sami gained confidence as he regained his stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, he has a fulfilling job that is letting him build a future as he puts down roots in his new country. However, his greatest joy comes after work when he volunteers as a coach for a children\u2019s soccer team in his neighbourhood. He does more than show the kids how to kick a ball, as he teaches them teamwork, discipline, resilience, and perseverance when things get tough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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