Olayinka (Yinka) Ademuyiwa, Social Service Worker, “I would like newcomers to understand that, if you want a place to be your home, you need to make it a home."

“A young immigrant family with dreams, aspirations, skills and luggage arrived in London on the night of June 5, 2018,” says Olayinka (Yinka) Ademuyiwa with pride, “that family was mine.”
Born, raised, and educated in Nigeria, Yinka and her husband left their beloved country to seek an environment in which to raise their children in safety and freedom. Their search brought them to Canada, but it was providence that brought them to London - a multicultural city with affordable housing, outstanding education, low crime rates and beautiful outdoor scenery. Their final destination was Toronto, but as their Greyhound bus from Windsor made its way through London, she and her husband looked at each other, liked what they saw – the peace, the slower pace, the green forested areas, and they decided on the spur of the moment to get off the bus, where they found accommodation for the night. The next morning, they walked into a real estate firm on Wellington Road intending to look for accommodation and met the one man who made all the difference to their lives in Canada. Yinka says, “Richard Miller of Richart Realty took a chance on us helping us find accommodation, employing me, and convincing me that I would be successful in Canada, he inspires me to be kind.”  
Canada has been everything that Yinka hoped it would be. From her first job with Richart Realty Inc., Brokerage to achieving her Community Services Worker diploma (with distinction) from Trios College to her work with the Ontario Public Service as a Victim Witness Services Worker at the London Courthouse. Inspired by the people who supported and helped her, she created a WhatsApp group for Nigerian newcomers in London helping them to navigate employment, childcare, housing and even shopping. Since 2019 the community in this group has helped over 60 families to settle and thrive in London. She is also a volunteer on the City of London's Community Diversity and Inclusion Strategy which focuses on ways to improve access to employment for newcomers, racial minorities, and people with disabilities in London. “My manager Dericka March,” she continues “from the Victim Witness assistance program has been incredibly supportive as well.” However, she credits her husband for being her greatest inspiration. “He has been my biggest support and encouragement,” she says.
Yinka says that she follows the teachings of Islam which direct her to be at peace with others. She would like her children to grow up to be proud Muslim Canadians, especially as all peoples and all faiths are welcome in Canada. “Integrity, family, community, kindness and inclusion are values that are the most important to me” says Yinka. She continues, “My mode of dressing, the colour of my skin, the way I speak and the spicy food that I love to eat; all these things are part of my identity, and I am thankful that I live in an environment that allows me to practice my culture and religion without fear of discrimination”
There were several London based services that Yinka and her family reached out to for support - such as the South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre and LUSO Community Services. “There is so much help for immigrants that people do not know about,” says Yinka. Based on her experience, Yinka has a word of advice for newcomers. “I would like newcomers to understand that, if you want a place to be your home, you need to make it a home. Be law-abiding. Respect others. Get involved with the community. Connect with people. Ask questions and share experiences.”

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