Samantha Capili

This summer job was awesome, I met a lot of people, my eyes were opened not only to the needs of the North End but also its distinct identity from the rest of the City.  The people are friendly even though their situation is rather poor”, said Samantha.
 
Sam has just finished a Summer Student placement with the North End Community Renewal Corporation (NECRC) located at 509 Selkirk Avenue.  Her teacher from St. John’s High School, Roxanne Kopitunchuk, recommended her to this post.  NECRC is a community-based organization whose mandate is the revitalization of the area focusing on four spheres:  community, business, employment creation and housing.  The North End is known for its rich cultural diversity.  With the presence of a large aboriginal population coupled with other immigrants living in the area including Filipinos, it is envisioned that a synergy to bring renewal to the area can be generated if everyone in the community will participate in this initiative.
 
At NECRC, community based organizations are working on these four areas and the delivery of a more focused service programs.  On employment creation, the Centre provides career counseling, access to computers and assistance in job search, resume preparation and interview skill strategies.  On housing development, the Centre provides assistance on fixing houses, graffiti removal, and neighbourhood safety.  “I learned a lot about the many programs the Centre is offering including how to handle clients, and assisting clients who are seeking grants to fix houses”, added Sam.

Sam believes that employment will contribute to a better society.  One of the things she is seeing at the North End is the presence of many youth that needed support.  She believes that if the young generation will persevere no manner how hard life is, they will succeed.  If they are well prepared to assume greater work responsibilities, then the area will be better.  Businesses will flourish and the housing conditions will be better.  Children of the young generation will be well provided and families are better supported. 

She also lives in the North End and therefore knows the challenges of living in the area.  “However, I believe that anything is possible if one will put his/her heart to the work that can be done to make life in the inner city a better one”, Sam mused.   This is consistent with NECRC’s mission to make the North End a better place to live. 

Sam and her sister Lourice arrived in Winnipeg in November 2003. She is the daughter of Arlene Bugtong.  Some of the Filipino values she still practices are: respect for elders; saying the ‘po’ and ‘opo’ when talking to older people; practicing the warm Filipino hospitality by smiling and saying greetings.  Indeed, Sam has a jolly spirit yet deep in her convictions.  She is also involved in the Rave Ministry of her church where she dances as a form of worship unto God. 

Sam will go to the University of Manitoba this Fall wishing to take the Nursing Degree.  She has received two grants from the Province of Manitoba and is looking forward to becoming a nurse in the future.  “I wish to help my family in the Philippines and bring them here.  I love this country, it is peaceful and there are lots of opportunities for a woman like me.  We are happy here,” she concluded.

(Virginia graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Master in Public Administration (MPA) Programme.  She can be reached at vgonzales@mts.net.)