We provide great service to the community. Below are a few testimonials (stories) from people who have used RMCS.

"Volunteering at the thrift store has been such a rewarding experience, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the RMCS volunteer team. The warmth and kindness from everyone made it feel like more than just a volunteer role — it felt like being part of a family. I’ll miss being there, but I’m excited for this new chapter. Your encouragement means so much. I’ll be sure to keep in touch and update you on how things are going." - Wenwen

"RMCS is a diverse community full of kind and wonderful people. Volunteering at RMCS helped me to improve my English level, communication skills and most importantly - I got to love people even more. RMCS has also been a big support in my personal life through helping my daughter in university search. I'm incredibly grateful for their kindness and guidance. A special thank you to Irene, Thuy, Maki, Yoshimi and Desiree for always being there to encourage and support me, it means a lot to me. Volunteering at RMCS has truly been an incredible experience. It's given me the chance to give back, grow personally, and be part of something that brings people together" - Valeriia

"I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the support, opportunities, and positive environment that RMCS has provided me during my time here. I can clearly remember the first day I sit at the front desk by myself, nervous to death, lol. You ladies encouraged me, helped me to become more comfortable to speak English, to greet customers, also I learned how to file tax, how to write a resume, got some customer service skills, and enjoyed the wonderful events we held! As a newcomer, RMCS is really a great place to get connected to the community, to know the culture of different countries, to learn some hands-on soft skills! It’s just like the cradle of newcomers, makes us grow confident enough to face the new challenges! It has been a pleasure to volunteering in such a dynamic, inspiring, inclusive and supportive organization. I am grateful for the trust and confidence that has been placed in me! While writing this letter makes me emotional, I will miss you guys and hope to see you in the near future!" - Lydia

"I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed our conversation class. I learned a lot about the language and also about Canadian culture. I made new friends and appreciated learning about their backgrounds and stories. You did a great job managing the group and made sure everyone had a chance to participate." - Esteban

"I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the invaluable assistance you provided during my job search process. Your professionalism, profound knowledge, and deep understanding of client needs have been truly remarkable. Thanks to your expert guidance, I was able to enhance my resume effectively and gain a comprehensive understanding of the Canadian job market. The resources you provided for job searching, coupled with your insightful advice on navigating interviews positively, have been instrumental in helping me secure my first job within a short period. Your experience, passion, confidence, and intelligence have made a significant impact on my journey. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with you, and I am deeply thankful for your support. " - Anna

"My experience with Richmond Multicultural Community Services (RMCS) has been incredibly positive, especially during my difficult time facing challenges with language, job searching, and feelings of loneliness. I found a supportive, family-like community at RMCS, where the kindness and warmth of the people made me feel welcomed and valued. The cultural events organized by RMCS not only celebrated diversity but also helped me feel at home. The English classes, networking groups, and job search workshops provided essential support throughout my journey. Additionally, volunteering at RMCS felt great in terms of helping people and also equipped me with communication skills, expanded my network, and enhanced my confidence in pursuing employment opportunities. I am deeply grateful to RMCS for their unwavering support. I wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone experiencing similar challenges. RMCS is not just a community service; it is a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of human connection." - Sima

"My name is Anna, and I am an international student from Ukraine. I first applied to the Settlement Services Program in 2023 as I seek employment. I received a comprehensive consultation and a wealth of new information essential for an immigrant's life, including job workshops, food discounts, and various events. Mrs. Irene assisted me not only with my initial questions but continues to support me by providing updated information about events, contests, and other opportunities. She guided me in creating a resume aligned with Canadian standards and advised me on some job positions. Thanks to her assistance, I was able to find my first job as a barista in Canada in a very short time. Thank you to such a professional team!" - Anna

"I arrived from Ukraine in September 2023 and accidentally came across the Richmond Multicultural Community Services (RMCS). This is a very welcoming organization where everyone can find support in their own language. Thanks to RMCS, the process of integrating into Canadian society has become much easier and more enjoyable. Just two weeks after arriving, I started working as a volunteer. This is truly the fastest way to integrate. In addition, they offered me various educational workshops, courses, and consultations covering important topics such as learning English, understanding Canadian culture, employment, and financial literacy. These programs not only provided me with the necessary knowledge and skills but also helped me gain confidence. My daughter took leadership courses and made new friends. In a way, RMCS has become a club for meeting and socializing. The RMCS staff treat everyone with care and attention, making the adaptation process smoother and more comfortable. Often, it is the only place where an immigrant can come with their problem. I am very grateful to them for all the help and support they have given me." - Natalia

"Being a volunteer for Richmond Multicultural Community Services (RMCS) has been one of the most meaningful and valuable experiences of my immigration journey. Like many of you, as newcomers, I faced numerous unpredictable challenges, such as language barriers, cultural differences, and limited problem-solving skills. Fortunately, I had the great opportunity to meet Maki and Yoshimi, who kindly and skillfully guided me to become a front desk receptionist. Thank you, Maki, and thank you, Yoshimi. Over the past year and a half, I have gradually overcome my English language barrier, cultural disorientation, and problem-solving difficulties. First of all, Communicating with all of the staff and new clients in English has significantly improved my language skills. Now, I no longer fear interacting with new people. I need to use English to analyze various clients' needs and help them solve problems. Therefore, I feel more confident in communicating with local people. Additionally, I have found a sense of belonging by attending Chinese festivals and understanding the local multicultural environment through participation in different events like today’s event. RMCS has helped me build connections with both my home country and the local community. I have learned and adapted to the new culture, which makes me feel at home here. Moreover, my volunteer experience has greatly enhanced my problem-solving skills. For example, I felt stressed and anxious when I received my citizenship test invitation, as I only had two weeks to prepare. I want to thank RMCS staff member Xiaowei, who provided professional advice and materials that helped me pass the test successfully. Also, I had no knowledge about tax clinics and used to pay an accountant to handle my tax returns. Under Thuy's guidance, I can now do my tax return myself, saving time, money, and energy. Thank you, Thuy. Today, I have overcome my language fears to make this speech and express my gratitude to all RMCS staff. I feel at home here, surrounded by so many kind members. Thank you, Parm, for being a creative leader and leading a strong and harmonious family to support countless newcomers.
RMCS is like a window of wisdom, broadening my horizon;
RMCS is like a light, bringing hope in the dark;
RMCS is like the sun, warming my heart;
RMCS is like a bridge, building connections with the world.
Thank you so much, RMCS." - Lucy, RMCS Volunteer

"We wanted to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your exceptional help and support to Ukrainian newcomers to RMCS. Your dedication and compassion have truly made a significant difference in our lives. Your kind hearts and tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed. The warmth and hospitality you extend to those in need reflect the true spirit of community and humanity. Your commitment to providing assistance and guidance to Ukrainian newcomers during this challenging time is commendable and deeply appreciated. Please accept our sincere thanks for all that you do. Your generosity and support have not only provided practical assistance but also offered a sense of belonging and hope to those who have recently arrived in our community. Irene, Thuy and Ashok, your contributions exemplify the best of what it means to be compassionate and caring individuals. We are grateful to have you as caring persons, who support newcomers and foster a welcoming environment for all." - Irina

"I'm really moved by the favors and help I've received from many places since I moved here. Especially, I think I'm very lucky to join the ECC of RMCS. I gained a lot of confidence in speaking English and was comforted emotionally. Watching Yoshimi, I thought I would like to do something to help Newcomer in the future, and I am always stimulated by Annie's passion and encouragement." - Soyul, ECC Student

"As a youth immigrant, I experienced a big life change moving to a new country at a very formative period of my life. There were a lot of challenges in finding compatibility to new environment, culture, and people. I experienced a lack of network and support and was almost at the middle of nowhere. Moreover, there was a language barrier, had difficulty adjusting to the school setting especially high school with no friends and totally a different school environment I had back in my country. I was introduced to RMCS through a SWISS worker in my school and joined Leadership Program, a program which covered various topics and was very helpful to me. Due to this program, I not only learned about Canadian culture but also made a lot of friends. Also, RMCS provided me a chance to volunteer, a wonderful opportunity for me to gain experience while showcasing my strengths in leadership, collaboration, and effective communication. RMCS mission also resonates with me, therefore I want to contribute my skills while volunteering. Apart from this, volunteering also helping me connecting with the community which in return I am helping new immigrants like myself thus improving my interpersonal and communication skills. Gradually, I am socializing more and not a shy person anymore. Thanks to the volunteer coordinator and settlement team of RMCS. Without you, it wasn’t possible to reach my goal and settled well in a new country, my new home Canada. I believe in continuous learning and growth in life and helping, guiding and making people succeed provides me the motivation to keep going!” - York