Change Can Happen. Profiles in community leadership: Mariam Bouchoutrouch

Central City Foundation is once again celebrating examples of extraordinary community leadership and innovation from the organizations we walk alongside and support. These individuals and their organizations have demonstrated that change can happen in our community. As part of this celebration, we asked each of our profiled leaders to share their thoughts on leadership, community and hope for a brighter future.

Mariam Bouchoutrouch, Executive Director, Pacific Immigrant Resources Society

For several decades, Mariam has been of incredible service to immigrant women, their children, and their families. She has made a tremendous difference in community services through leading organizational change, developing innovative programs and fearless advocacy. Mariam has helped change the landscape of settlement services through creative employment and training opportunities for women, social enterprise, and newcomer women.

Q:  How does your organization help address the conditions faced by people in the inner city?

PIRS’ mission is to deliver accessible, inclusive, low-barrier programs for immigrant and refugee women and their children that create a sense of belonging, meaningful participation and leadership. We work to overcome barriers faced by immigrant women that get in the way of their building a new life in Canada, such as low English proficiency, lack of accessible childcare, cultural differences, financial constraints, and migration trauma. One example is our partnership with SWAN (Supporting Women’s Alternatives Network) Vancouver, where we offer specialized language classes for immigrant women engaged in indoor sex work. These classes empower women to enhance their self-advocacy, access health and social services, achieve greater social integration, and better understand their rights and legal protections.

Q:  How would you describe some of the common lived experiences, systemic inequalities/inequities and other challenges faced by the people you work with?

Many of the people we work with have experienced significant pre-migration trauma, including displacement and loss of homes and family members. Children may have spent their formative years on perilous escape routes. Upon arrival, these individuals often encounter a new set of obstacles. Many, despite high levels of education and professional achievements in their home countries, find their credentials unrecognized here, forcing them into precarious work and eroding their sense of professional identity and self-worth.

Interaction with government systems and services often reinforce women’s dependence and can further erode their sense of confidence. The lack of affordable, culturally responsive childcare creates barriers to language learning and employment. Additionally, many face sexism, islamophobia, and racial discrimination in their day-to-day lives.

PIRS strives to address these systemic inequities by providing supports that foster a sense of belonging and empowerment for the women and families we serve.

Q:  How would you describe the importance of community connections and a sense of acceptance and belonging for the people you work with?

Acceptance and belonging are crucial to an immigrant’s settlement journey.

Acceptance and belonging are crucial to the people we work with. Arriving in a new country, unable to communicate easily, separated from family and friends, and unsure how to navigate daily life can lead to depression, anxiety, and a sense of invisibility. For many immigrant and refugee women, social isolation can become overwhelming. Through PIRS’ programs, women find supportive communities to rebuild their personal and professional support networks. They practice English, learn about local resources, and build confidence to go on to volunteer, make friends, and engage in the workforce. So, creating community connections isn’t just about companionship. It’s about rebuilding a support system, finding mentors, and gaining the confidence to participate fully in society. When women feel accepted and connected, they’re more likely to seek healthcare, engage in their children’s education, and pursue personal goals. By fostering these connections, we’re not just combating loneliness; we’re empowering women to thrive in their new home.

Q:  Looking ahead, can you share with us some of your thoughts about where you see that change can happen?

PIRS was created by and for women 50 years ago and we’ve seen a lot of change in that time. Change happens when we nurture inclusive spaces that are welcoming to all. PIRS engages in systems change work like our Immigrant Women’s Advisory Committee and the Building a Childcare System that Works for Immigrant Women project. Through projects like these, our participants gain an understanding of systemic issues that affect them and skills to influence systems for change. We witness daily the incredible resilience and potential of immigrant and refugee women. It’s all the individual changes that will create a wave of change over time.

Q:  What are some examples that give you hope for a better future for the people with who you work?

Our participants continually teach us about perseverance and hope. Their resilience and achievements are a constant source of inspiration and hope. We see women who arrived speaking very little English become community leaders and advocates. Women who once struggled to find their footing in their desired careers because of a lack of Canadian experience secure meaningful employment and help others to do the same.

Q:  How would you describe the value of developing relationships and collaboration in your work and organizations like Central City Foundation?

Collaborations are key to our work. We firmly believe that together, we can achieve more than we can on our own. We are deeply grateful to partners like Central City Foundation for extending our reach and amplifying our impact. These partnerships play a crucial role in making a real, tangible difference in the lives of the women we serve.

What has support from Central City Foundation meant for your organization?

This is a new partnership for PIRS. There is so much value in developing relationships and collaboration to best meet the needs of those we serve. Central City Foundation has supported many service providers to care for and empower so many individuals within the community.

Q:  Do you have a call to action for our CCF community that you would like to share?

Canada is set to welcome 500,000 newcomers annually over the next two years. We need this migration to fill vacant positions in many sectors of our society (health care, aviation and childcare). Ensuring that these individuals are set up for success and can engage in the workforce in meaningful ways is crucial. Accessible, inclusive child care is essential for women’s access to education and employment. We invite the CCF community to engage with our “Building a Childcare System that Works for Immigrant and Refugee Women” project. Stay informed about this critical issue and support our efforts to create inclusive childcare solutions. By getting involved, you can help shape a more equitable future for newcomer families and contribute to Canada’s successful integration of immigrants.