Why I wanted to join as a Marketing Assistant
Written by Melissa Ho
Coming from an immigrant family, I understood how hard it was for newcomers to learn English and quickly adjust (and often assimilate) to a new life in Canada. In this Marketing Assistant opportunity, I found through SFU Surrey - TD Community Engagement Centre, I was able to find my voice as a designer that aligned with my background and values.
Instructors and campers on the last day of our Summer Camp in Mount Pleasant, Vancouver
Why I joined BC Newcomer Camp
My name is Melissa Ho and I joined BC Newcomer Camp as a volunteer in November 2020. My parents immigrated from Hong Kong during the British handover, and they raised me as a second-generation Asian Canadian in Surrey, BC. I’m a senior student studying design at the Interactive Arts and Technology (SIAT) program of Simon Fraser University (SFU). My program has given me the opportunity to learn a diverse set of skills that were to my surprise, applicable to our Marketing Assistant position. Skills such as graphic design, UX/UI design, photography, photo editing, and copywriting, were being practiced daily in SIAT and utilized in this position.
Easing into an unexpected field
I was always interested in creating strong visual branding identities and creating cohesive Instagram accounts (I just find matching themes very appealing). Marketing was a field I thought you could only work in to push selling consumer goods and services. As someone who values mindful consumerism and living sustainably, marketing towards customers to purchase more consumer goods didn’t sit well with me. But I knew I still wanted to utilize the skills I’ve learned to love in SIAT.
Photo taken by Camp Facilitator, Shamsia of myself while taking on-site photos of our Summer Camp
“I didn’t want to be another account on social media pushing performative activism. I wanted to put my skills and passions to use in tangible ways that could help newcomer refugee families.”
Putting my skills to use
Working with a non-profit charity such as BC Newcomer Camp was the perfect opportunity to experience marketing in a way that aligned with my goals and passions. In the Summer of 2020, social media became too overwhelming for me due to the huge push of digital social activism. Being in a pandemic made me feel stuck on how I could help marginalized communities receive the same opportunities I’ve received as a Canadian-born citizen. This surge of social activism on social media led to performative activism which felt uneasy encountering. I didn’t want to be another account portraying performative activism, I wanted to put my skills and passions to use in tangible ways that could help newcomer refugee families.
My experience so far
Our adorable summer camper posing along with the instructors in the background
I was working remotely with BC Newcomer Camp up until this summer. Through Zoom calls with our Director, Bahar, I was able to understand the passion and amazing intents of our organization without meeting anyone in the team before. At times, it felt a bit isolating to be working alone and it was hard to come up with content to share on our social media as I was only hearing about the programs we were running. I’m so glad I stayed with BC Newcomer Camp up until now that it was safe to meet up in-person.
I came to visit our Summer Camps to document our impact in photos. But I left with the most rewarding experience meeting the instructors and children at our camps. Most of our instructors come from refugee backgrounds themselves. I was so thankful they were open and willing to share their experiences of coming to Canada. It truly opened my eyes to the passion and sincerity that came with all the work we do at BC Newcomer Camp.
“I was so thankful our team was open to sharing their experiences of coming to Canada. It truly opened my eyes to the passion and sincerity that came with all the work we do at BC Newcomer Camp.”
Seeing the smiles and laughter on the children’s faces brought me comfort knowing they were in a safer place and provided with opportunities to succeed in their new homes. Being a part of BC Newcomer Camp has been more rewarding than I’ve imagined.
You can help us provide newcomer refugee children with safe spaces to learn and grow. Whether its by donating, following us on social media, or sharing this post with your friends and family, every action adds up to a bigger impact. Lastly, thank you for reading along and supporting us!
