“I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to Discovery Community College (DCC) and to everyone who supported me throughout my journey in the Community Support Worker program. Upon reflection, this experience proved to be both meaningful and transformative, contributing significantly to my professional development and personal growth.

When I first enrolled in the program, my goal was not simply to earn a diploma but to gain the knowledge, skills, and values needed to become an effective and compassionate community support worker. From the beginning, I committed myself to giving my best academically, professionally, and personally, knowing that the work we do has a lasting impact on individuals and communities. This mindset guided me throughout my studies and helped me approach learning with purpose and integrity.

Like many students, I faced challenges throughout my journey as an international student adjusting to different time zones while balancing academic responsibilities, work, and personal life in a new country. There were moments when the workload felt overwhelming and when certain concepts required extra effort to understand. Being away from home was not easy, but I chose to view these challenges as opportunities for growth. The support I received from DCC made a tremendous difference. My instructors were patient, kind, and always willing to guide and encourage me whenever I needed clarification. From the application process onward, the school staff helped ensure a smooth transition into the program and made me feel welcomed and supported. My classmates were also friendly and supportive, allowing me to build genuine friendships and meaningful connections. Their encouragement reminded me that I was never alone and helped me develop confidence, resilience, and perseverance—qualities essential in community support work.

I am especially proud of how I navigated life in Canada while successfully managing both work and school. More importantly, I am proud of the personal growth I experienced throughout the program. I became more compassionate, empathetic, and understanding in supporting others. The kindness and dedication shown by my instructors inspired me to carry these values forward in both my professional and personal life.

My practicum experience further strengthened my confidence as a future support worker. Although securing a placement came with challenges, the guidance and consistent check-ins from the DCC staff made the process smooth and rewarding. Their genuine concern for my success left a lasting impression on me and motivated me to continue growing.

To anyone considering returning to school, my advice is simple: give your best in everything you do. Education is a valuable opportunity that, when embraced fully, becomes truly transformative. I am deeply grateful for the lessons learned, the support received, and the growth I have experienced throughout my journey at Discovery Community College.”

“Returning to school while supporting my family and working part-time has been one of the most challenging and meaningful decisions of my life. I chose to pursue the Health Care Assistant (HCA) program because I have a deep passion for helping others, especially seniors who deserve compassionate, respectful, and quality care.

Supporting people in need gives me a strong sense of purpose, particularly when I see their comfort, happiness, and appreciation. More than twenty years ago, I began a college teaching program in Ethiopia, but was unable to complete my higher education at the time. That unfinished goal stayed with me and motivated me to return to school and finally achieve a professional qualification. Before enrolling at Discovery Community College (DCC), I was working full-time at Garibaldi Glass Industry in Burnaby, where I continue to work today. I am sincerely thankful to the Garibaldi family for their understanding and support in adjusting my work schedule, which made it possible for me to succeed academically.

DCC was the first college to contact me about the HCA program, and from the beginning, I felt welcomed and supported. Balancing work, studies, and family life was a significant challenge. Still, the encouragement, flexibility, and guidance from DCC instructors and staff helped me overcome obstacles and build confidence—especially as an adult learner and ESL student.

Completing this program is one of my proudest achievements. My experience at DCC has been supportive, empowering, and life-changing. I am now prepared to build a meaningful career in healthcare and make a positive difference in my community.

My advice to future students is simple: it is never too late to return to school and invest in yourself.”

“I completed the Education Assistant program at Discovery Community College, and it was a very positive learning experience for me. The Instructors at Discovery Community College very supportive, patient, and knowledgeable. They explained concepts clearly and always encouraged questions. The program gave me strong knowledge, practical skills and confidence to work in school settings. I am grateful for the learning and support I received at Discovery Community College.”

“I am Larissa Teke a career-changer who traded food service management for compassionate care. As a Food Service Supervisor, I saw the impact of nutrition on health and wanted to make a more personal difference in people’s lives. I relocated to Canada a year after achieving a BSC in integrated agriculture.

I’m glad to be part of the Health Care Assistant (HCA) program sponsored by Vancouver Coastal Health. Through out my study at Discovery Community College (DCC), I’ve mastered both hard and soft skills like patient care, infection control, clinical documentation and recording, empathy, patience and calmness, adaptability and effective communication just to name a few. I have equally discovered my passion for supporting seniors with dementia.

My proudest moment came when i redirected a resident with Alzheimer’s who had been saying “they wanted to go home” even though this was thought in school and it is in the textbook, it is quite different when you actually get to experience it . It is far from just asking them to tell you about their home because everyone is different, I did ask them to tell me about their home but that wasn’t helpful until I pulled out pictures of their family and ask them to tell me about those who were in the picture and how it was like to be with them. This brought a smile to their face, and afterwards, I let them have a rest as they were tired from too much talking. ‘Then I said to myself “This is where I’m meant to be” because I felt happy calming them.

Today, I work in the community as a community support worker, combining my food service expertise with HCA skills to enhance clients quality of life. Changing careers was the best decision I made, I’m making a difference, one meal and one smile at a time.

I’m so grateful to have been part of your family and I’m thankful for all the knowledge, skills and support DCC has provided me with.

“Attending Discovery Community College (DCC) has been one of the most important and meaningful journeys of my life. Before starting the Community Support Worker program, I was working in different jobs but I always felt I needed more training to truly support people in need. I chose to go back to school because I wanted to build a career where I could make a real difference in my community and help others who were struggling.

When I started the program, I was nervous and unsure if I could keep up. The first days were challenging, but my teachers and classmates were supportive and patient. They helped me understand the material and build confidence in my skills. I faced many obstacles, including balancing school with family responsibilities and learning new concepts that were difficult at first. However, with the support of DCC, I was able to overcome these challenges and continue moving forward.

One of my biggest achievements is completing the program and receiving my certificate. I am proud of the growth I have experienced, both professionally and personally. The program taught me not only the technical skills of a Community Support Worker but also the importance of compassion, respect, and strong communication.

My experience at DCC has been positive and inspiring. The instructors were caring and dedicated, and the learning environment encouraged growth and teamwork. I am now working as a Community Support Worker, and I feel confident and prepared to support people in need.

My advice to anyone considering going back to school is: never give up on your dreams. It is never too late to learn and improve your life. Education can change your future, and with dedication and support, you can achieve your goals.”

“I’ve known I had wanted to take the Health Care Aide program since I was a young teen, so when I heard about the opportunity through Kindale community futures and funding from the Community Workforce Response Grant, I took it. When I enrolled, my goal was to be able to work one on one with seniors and educate myself better on how I can best support them. I have been working with seniors for years, and while I am passionate about this field, I felt like I wanted to gain further experience and knowledge, so that I could better support the seniors in our community.

Before going to school, I was doing private work as a community support worker and care aide, as well as working in a senior’s home assisting with housekeeping, meal times, and recreational activities. I needed to be more confident in myself, as I struggled with low self esteem. I was also painfully shy, struggled using my voice, and didn’t know how to properly vouch for others. I overcame this, as I came to the realization that my patients feed from the energy that we give, and so I wanted to be able to give them the best version of myself. Being in a school program really helped me overcome these barriers, as I learned how to be not only more confident and use my voice, but also meet every situation and individual with empathy and compassion, regardless of the situation.

While I am very grateful for Discovery Community College for giving me the opportunity to do my dream job, the overall experience put a lot of extra stress and anxiety in my life, as I did not feel like I was given the proper accommodations or supports I needed. As a result of this, I felt like I was at a disadvantage from my classmates and felt as though I did not always receive a fair grade.

Overall, I am most proud of how I came out of this course stronger, and with the ability to reflect on how much I’ve grown. Whether you have a learning disability, or various trauma, you are still capable of completing this course, going to school, and having a purpose. You may face difficult times in school, but in the end, those difficult moments are where you find your strength.

Thank you to everyone involved in helping me succeed.”

“As a newcomer to Canada, studying was not easy at first because of cultural differences. Over time, I connected well with my instructors and fellow students, and the learning experience became very positive. I am thankful to my instructors for their support and guidance.”

“Since attending Discovery Community College, I have achieved significant personal, academic, and professional growth. The program has strengthened my understanding of healthcare principles and helped me develop the practical skills required to work confidently and safely in a care setting.

Through my studies, I have successfully completed both classroom learning and hands-on training, which improved my ability to support residents with daily living activities while maintaining dignity, privacy, and respect. I gained a strong understanding of infection control, resident safety, communication, and ethical responsibilities as a Health care Assistant. These skills have increased my confidence in providing quality, person-centered care.

Discovery Community College also helped me improve my communication and teamwork skills. Working with instructors and classmates from diverse backgrounds taught me how to collaborate effectively, follow instructions carefully, and adapt to different situations. I learned the importance of professionalism, time management, and accountability in healthcare environments.

As a result of my training, I feel well prepared for employment in long-term care and assisted living settings. I have successfully applied my learning during practical experiences and interviews, where employers recognized my positive attitude, professionalism, and commitment to resident care. Attending Discovery Community College has played a key role in preparing me for a meaningful career in healthcare and has motivated me to continue growing as a compassionate and reliable Health care Assistant.”

“Hello, my name is Meron. I am a Health Care Assistant graduate.
When I came to Canada, English was hard for me.
School was not easy, but I worked hard and did not give up.
Today, I am proud of myself.
Thank you to my teachers and classmates.
If I can do it, you can do it too.”