From uncertainty to opportunity: How DIVERSEcity’s Future Leaders Program empowers newcomer youth, including Fareed and Sonam.
At DIVERSEcity, we believe in the power of people — especially when given the tools, support and opportunity to reach their potential. That’s exactly what the Future Leaders Program sets out to do, and for Fareed and Sonam, it did just that.
Fareed, a 28-year-old newcomer who arrived in Canada in from Pakistan December 2024, joined the Future Leaders program just two months later. From the start, he stood out for his clarity of purpose and unwavering drive. With a degree in architecture from his home country, Fareed had a clear goal: to become a project manager in the construction industry. But like many newcomers, he needed guidance to navigate Canada’s educational and employment systems.
Through Future Leaders, Fareed explored career options, discovered financial support programs and enrolled in the Project Management program at BCIT. Thanks to the living allowance, tuition support and emergency funds provided through the program, Fareed began his studies in April 2025—and soon after secured a full-time role as a lead drafting technician. Now, he works by day and studies by night, already completing his first semester and moving into his second with continued support from the Future Leaders Program.
Fareed’s journey reflects the resilience of so many newcomers who arrive with hopes and dreams and just need the right community to help them thrive. “The Future Leaders Program has given me the hope to dream bigger,” Fareed shares. “It provided me with the knowledge and skills to pursue the career I always aspired to … and helped boost my self-esteem when I needed it most.”
Other participants echo this experience. “This program has shaped us in so many ways,” said Sonam, another graduate. “We felt so included and supported. I wish the program had been longer.”
Through one-on-one support, group learning and tailored job readiness tools, the Future Leaders program is helping diverse youth build confidence, community and a path forward. We are proud to walk alongside participants like Fareed and Sonam on their journey to success — and can’t wait to see what their futures hold.
The next cohort for our Future Leaders Program begins on September 8, 2025. If you’re ready to step into your future, learn more here.