Originally from Iran, Masoomeh Fathabadi, arrived in Calgary in October 2022.

For someone who easily enjoys being around people, she assumed it would be easy to settle into Calgary. However, Masoomeh found it difficult to engage with others and was unsure of how to proceed with the settlement process.

She learned about the newcomer-serving sector from her friends, who encouraged her to search online for more information about settlement services.

Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC) appeared at the top of her search. She immediately booked an appointment with a Gateway planner, who walked her through the settlement process, recommended language classes, and detailed additional steps to settling in Calgary.

Happy with how her sessions went, Masoomeh wondered if she could help other newcomers like herself. The planner directed her to ISC’s volunteer team, and she was eventually assigned to the Interpretation and Translation Centre because she speaks two languages—Persian and English.

She joined ISC’s Interpretation and Translation Centre in February 2024 and has so far completed 147 volunteer hours.

Masoomeh finds volunteering valuable because it allows her to help others and contribute to the country’s progress, no matter how small those contributions may seem. “Helping others can be incredibly rewarding,” she said.

She finds that assisting others gives her a lot of positive energy. When asked if she plans to continue volunteering, Masoomeh responded in the affirmative, stating that she believes people’s happiness is interconnected, “much like the links of a chain.”

Mihaela Turtureanu, Manager of the Interpretation & Translation Centre at ISC, applauds Masoomeh’s support to the team.

“Her dedication and professionalism are essential to the work that we do,” Mihaela said.

Masoomeh suggests that others should consider volunteering because it offers an opportunity for personal development and can have a positive impact on their communities and the world at large.