Archway Stories
Every year, thousands of people walk through our doors seeking support and resources. Here are a few stories of how we’ve played a role in assisting members of our community as they forge a path forward.
Rod Santiago Marks 10 Years as Archway Executive Director
Executive Director, Rod Santiago, marks 10 years at Archway Community Services.
Abby Dads: 10 Years of Supporting Fathers in Active Parenting
Abby Dads has supported fathers for over 10 years, helping create healthy relationships with their families.
STRIDE: Stepping into a New Program During a Global Pandemic
During the pandemic, STRIDE has continued to help people over the age of 55 gain employability skills.
LINC: A Celebration of Learning Online and Overcoming Obstacles
The LINC program made a successful transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Career Paths Helps Mansi Fulfill Graphic Design Dream
Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants helps a client get a full-time job at a local design company.
Discovery Staff ‘Parade’ for Participants
Discovery staff paraded through participants neighborhoods after activities were suspended.
Supporting Victims of Abuse
How the Specialized Victims Assistance Program is able to support those dealing with abuse.
Meet Runjan: Archway Recruitment & Engagement Specialist
How newcomer, Runjan used the employment services available at Archway to support her career goals.
Banking on a New Life in Canada: Gurdas’ Story
Gurdas’ story of how Archway’s programs for newcomers helped him find career success at Prospera.
Darlene’s Story: Love and Boundaries
Darlene’s story of how Archway provided her with resources, learning opportunities, and emotional support.
Program Helps Skilled Immigrants Find Related Employment
Careers Paths for Skilled Immigrants has allowed newcomers to enter the job market in their former careers.
A Journey Through the History of Recycling
Lear how Archway’s recycling program has become a staple within the community of Abbotsford.
Overcoming Addiction and Homelessness
Kal’s story of overcoming addiction and homelessness to now becoming a food bank volunteer.
Keeping Busy and Being Helpful at Discovery: Betty Lou’s Story
Betty Lou is a long time participant of the discovery program and takes pride in volunteering at Archway.
Fun and Friendship at Discovery: Donna’s Story
Donna’s reflects on the fun and friendships she has created attending Discovery for the past 15-20 years.
Creative Pursuits at Discovery: Martin’s Story
Martin reflects on the creative pursuits he has been able to take part in while attending the Discovery program.
Share Your Thanks
Megan is thankful she found Archway’s Family Centre and received support when she found out she was pregnant.
Walter’s Story: Starting and Growing Community Services
Walter Paetkau started Archway Community Services after identifying multiple community needs.
30 Years of Serving the Community
Over time, Manpreet Grewal has helped grow the Multicultural and Immigrant Integration Department.
Leslie’s Story – Adjusting to a New Reality
Leslie’s story of gaining support and finding employment through the EPIC program.
Three Friends Join Forces To Make A Difference
Three Community Connections volunteers share how they make a difference in the community.
A Mother’s Struggle to Save Her Son from Gang Life
A mother’s story of how the In It Together program helped save her son from gang life.
Danielle Miller shares Brave Story
Danielle’s story shows how counselling and CVAP support can help survivors heal.
Claudia – From a Mexican Circus to Living in Canada
From a traveling circus to a new life in Canada, Claudia found hope with support from the Food Bank.
From Abuse and Addiction to New Career Opportunities
John* was nine-years-old when he first used hard drugs and started his decades-long struggle with addiction. ‘Shooting up’ was a way to deal with his horrific childhood, which included sexual abuse by his father. He ran away at age 11 and after trying to shoot his...
Pairing Her Loves of Teaching and Children
Before immigrating to Canada in 2012, Amandeep had worked as an elementary school teacher in India. Despite having a Master’s Degree in English, she found it difficult to find a suitable job here, since her teaching credentials were not transferrable. She ended up...
A Career in Caring
Elizabeth was always on the “lucky end” of lay-offs until that luck ran out in 2017.
There in Crisis
We’re about people helping people. It’s about rallying our community to make sure that everyone is taken care of.
Hope Restored
Like many of us, Navor wants nothing more than to provide for his family. In 2010, he started coming to Canada.
From Volunteer Match to Lifelong Friends and Co-workers
Matched through Community Connections, Claudia and Jen formed a lasting friendship.
Seeking a New Identity in Music
Harley loves performing hip-hop on stage. But there is one song that he can’t bring himself to perform in public. While he can sometimes write and record a song in less than half an hour, this particular song took months to write and record. Once recorded, he waited a...
Hevin’s Story: A Tale of Perseverance
In less than two years, Hevin has made great strides, and she’s risen above the challenges life has handed her.
Breaking the Cycle: A Young Father’s Story
Abused, addicted, abandoned. Daniel’s young life has been full of challenges, though you wouldn’t know it immediately by looking at his cheerful smile. As a child, he experienced physical abuse at the hands of his father. When he began to fear for his life, he...
Saying ‘Yes’ to a Great Opportunity: Nicholas’ Story
Twelve-year-old Nicholas was bright – and bored. An average school day just wasn’t working for him.
“Friendship, not just Lessons” – Sharon’s and Sophie’s Story
When Sharon retired after 40 years in healthcare, she knew that she wanted to keep busy.
Outstanding Volunteers: Dawn
Dawn’s long‑time volunteer commitment has helped build lasting friendships.
Volunteering is a Shared Learning Experience for Don
As a surgeon, Don was used to a full schedule. When he retired, he knew he wanted to keep busy.
Helen Offers a Helping Hand for the Family Centre
Helen Meyers has been a volunteer for 18 years. Since 2001, she’s dedicated herself to the Family Centre.
Outstanding Employment Mentor
With a passion for community, Sieglinde is a volunteer with a true desire to help others succeed.
Outstanding Volunteers: Patricia
LINC instructor Rosanna highlighted Patricia, a volunteer teaching assistant helping newcomers learn English.
Outstanding Volunteers: Joshlyn
Joshlyn is an outstanding volunteer at our AbbotsfordWORKS employment office.
Answering the Call to Volunteer
Sandy Strowbridge wanted to volunteer by driving people to medical appointments.
The Cost of Loneliness
Loneliness is a growing issue for seniors. Programs at Abbotsford Community Services help seniors stay connected.
Living wage, livable future: Tenacity and community support help Abbotsford woman build new life free from violence
I was told they had a real home for me, that we could have a good family life,” Kiran says. “It wasn’t true.”
Living wage, livable future: Abbotsford mother carves a path out of poverty with a living wage
Krystal nearly lost her son Nollan every year for the first four years of his young life.
The Incredible Journey: Ryan’s Story
Just before Ryan’s 21st birthday, he became the father of a baby girl.
Meet a Few Amazing Ladies
Because of their participation in a program, all of these women made Abbotsford their new home.