Impact Story
From Afghanistan to Canada:
Ali’s Path to Safety and Settlement
Ali*, a 24-year-old model from Afghanistan, arrived in Canada under the Government Assisted Refugee (GAR) program in 2023, following a harrowing evacuation in August 2021 and a period in a refugee camp in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
As a newcomer, Ali faced numerous challenges, including securing housing, finding employment, coping with social isolation, and navigating the One Year Window (OYW) application process for his family members who were still in Afghanistan. Referred to COSTI’s Housing Services, Ali received essential support in securing stable accommodation with peers and finding a job as a customer service representative, which helped alleviate his loneliness and isolation.
“COSTI’s housing support has been vital for my settlement and my family’s safety. Your assistance in the OYW application was crucial in helping us find a safe place in Canada, where we can enjoy our human rights and freedom,” expressed Ali.
Ali also received assistance from a Farsi-speaking settlement counsellor for his OYW application and was connected to valuable resources. With COSTI’s assistance, including follow-ups and responses to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) inquiries, Ali’s sister and her newborn baby were approved under the OYW program, and their files are now with the visa office in Pakistan. With this support, Ali can now embrace his new life in Canada with safety and stability.
* name changed to protect identity
