Text Size

Translate Page

Call 1800 276 276

Richard and WCG Services

When Richard’s life was turned upside down, he turned it around. 

Richard could never imagine that one day he would be a refugee in Canada. 

Read a full transcript of this video.

But the 2019 revolution in Lebanon changed his life forever. 

Richard tells a remarkable story of survival and, ultimately, success.  

"They shoot on me. I got injuries in my head and all my body. That's why I ended up here."

But making a new life was incredibly hard. 

"I found myself needing support from somewhere," Richard said.

"One of my friends, she told me, ‘Go to a food bank.’ They told me that they can help me to find a job. And I met the first angel of my life."

Richard standing and smiling outside in a winter jacket

Read a full transcript of this video.

This ‘angel’ was Apoorva from Family Services of Peel in Ontario. When she first met Richard, he faced many challenges regarding housing, food, transportation, and language.  

Fortunately, Apoorva was also Arab and could talk to him in his language, “I was able to assist him, to work with him one on one and to give him that one-on-one support.” 

Apoorva helped Richard get a job at a good company. He was thrilled. 

Then, two months later, he moved from an entry-level employee to a team leader role. 

In the last few years, Richard has turned his life around.  

“Can you imagine living in a miserable place where everything is working against you, pushing you back?  

“And you can make a difference in a place where everything is pushing you forward, and giving you support and security… You will make what is impossible possible.” 

Richard's support from Family Services of Peel was supported by WCG Services, part of APM Group, in Canada.

WCG Services work in communities across Canada to help people, businesses and organisations to provide life-changing employment support.

Learn more at WCG Services



Share this page

Gary and APM New Zealand
Gary a client of APM in New Zealand sits with hands crossed and laughs
Refugee support in Germany
Two professional women sit at a desk looking at forms
More stories from across APM
Ellie Cole in a black APM top sitting on steps