We provide great service to the community. Below are a few testimonials (stories) from people who have used RMCS.

 

"Working with RMCS was one of the best decisions I made for my educational journey in Canada. Prior to this, I had been working at a small company as a financial analyst. While I valued my professional experience there, I felt it was time to advance my career and broaden my horizons. As a mature student balancing family, work, and future planning, I was initially unsure about my next academic step. Their team provided professional guidance, encouragement, and personalized support throughout the entire application process. What truly sets RMCS apart is their commitment to the community. I had the privilege of serving as a volunteer with them, contributing over 50 hours of service annually. This experience not only enriched my own life in Canada but also allowed me to find fulfillment in helping those in need. I was deeply moved by Yoshimi and the team's genuine passion; they don’t just focus on applications, but on our long-term integration. For instance, the regular French training sessions they organized were incredibly helpful and demonstrated their dedication to providing well-rounded support. Their patience, honesty, and genuine care for students’ goals prepared me step by step with confidence. The results were beyond my expectations: I am incredibly honored to have received offers from three different universities（SFU\RRU\UVic） for three outstanding programs. After careful consideration, I have chosen the Master of Education in Leadership program at the University of Victoria as the best path for my future. This achievement would not have been possible without their expert guidance and constant encouragement.  I highly recommend Yoshimi and the RMCS team to anyone considering higher education opportunities in Canada. Thank you again for being part of this important milestone in my life and family journey." - Joseph

"“I began volunteering with RMCS in Grade 10, at a time when I was quite shy and nervous about speaking on the phone. However, I have grown much more confidences during my time here. I truly enjoy being part of this community and appreciate everyone I’ve met along the way. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute and support others!” - Fion

"Working as a Front Desk Volunteer at Richmond Multicultural Community Services has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has given me the opportunity to support people from diverse cultures while developing my communication skills in a meaningful way. I would also like to highlight the strong support provided by the RMCS team, which made this experience even more positive and enriching. Their guidance and collaboration truly make a difference in the work we do. I encourage everyone to consider contributing to this organization and supporting people from diverse cultures in our community.
Thank you to the RMCS team and all the clients for this amazing experience." - Liliane

“I just want to share how much my time at RMCS has meant to me. As a newcomer, it was truly where everything started — I made friends, found my first part-time job through someone I met in the RMCS English class, and now I’m working full-time. I’m really grateful for everything RMCS has done for me. My gratitude has never gone away. I still find myself telling friends about RMCS — whether it’s volunteering or joining events, it’s always been such a rewarding and enjoyable experience. I’m really glad I get to give back in this small way.” - Cissy

“What I enjoyed most about volunteering at the Thrift Store was the sense of purpose; it felt like everything contributed to something meaningful. Being part of the RMCS Thrift team was meaningful to me because of the people. There was a strong sense of collaboration and kindness that made me feel welcomed and valued. Volunteering at RMCS Thrift had a positive impact on me personally. It helped me develop a greater appreciation for community support systems. What motivated me to keep coming back was knowing that my time and effort were helping others, while also being part of such a supportive and positive environment. RMCS Thrift made a difference by providing affordable access to clothing while also creating a space where people felt welcomed and supported.” - Reinaldo

"Volunteering at RMCS has allowed me to make lifelong friends and opened my eyes to the welcoming community of Richmond!" - Jeff

"Volunteering at the thrift store has been such a rewarding experience, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the RMCS volunteer team. The warmth and kindness from everyone made it feel like more than just a volunteer role — it felt like being part of a family. I’ll miss being there, but I’m excited for this new chapter. Your encouragement means so much. I’ll be sure to keep in touch and update you on how things are going." - Wenwen

"RMCS is a diverse community full of kind and wonderful people. Volunteering at RMCS helped me to improve my English level, communication skills and most importantly - I got to love people even more. RMCS has also been a big support in my personal life through helping my daughter in university search. I'm incredibly grateful for their kindness and guidance. A special thank you to Irene, Thuy, Maki, Yoshimi and Desiree for always being there to encourage and support me, it means a lot to me. Volunteering at RMCS has truly been an incredible experience. It's given me the chance to give back, grow personally, and be part of something that brings people together" - Valeriia

"I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the support, opportunities, and positive environment that RMCS has provided me during my time here. I can clearly remember the first day I sit at the front desk by myself, nervous to death, lol. You ladies encouraged me, helped me to become more comfortable to speak English, to greet customers, also I learned how to file tax, how to write a resume, got some customer service skills, and enjoyed the wonderful events we held! As a newcomer, RMCS is really a great place to get connected to the community, to know the culture of different countries, to learn some hands-on soft skills! It’s just like the cradle of newcomers, makes us grow confident enough to face the new challenges! It has been a pleasure to volunteering in such a dynamic, inspiring, inclusive and supportive organization. I am grateful for the trust and confidence that has been placed in me! While writing this letter makes me emotional, I will miss you guys and hope to see you in the near future!" - Lydia

"I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed our conversation class. I learned a lot about the language and also about Canadian culture. I made new friends and appreciated learning about their backgrounds and stories. You did a great job managing the group and made sure everyone had a chance to participate." - Esteban

"I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the invaluable assistance you provided during my job search process. Your professionalism, profound knowledge, and deep understanding of client needs have been truly remarkable. Thanks to your expert guidance, I was able to enhance my resume effectively and gain a comprehensive understanding of the Canadian job market. The resources you provided for job searching, coupled with your insightful advice on navigating interviews positively, have been instrumental in helping me secure my first job within a short period. Your experience, passion, confidence, and intelligence have made a significant impact on my journey. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with you, and I am deeply thankful for your support. " - Anna

"My experience with Richmond Multicultural Community Services (RMCS) has been incredibly positive, especially during my difficult time facing challenges with language, job searching, and feelings of loneliness. I found a supportive, family-like community at RMCS, where the kindness and warmth of the people made me feel welcomed and valued. The cultural events organized by RMCS not only celebrated diversity but also helped me feel at home. The English classes, networking groups, and job search workshops provided essential support throughout my journey. Additionally, volunteering at RMCS felt great in terms of helping people and also equipped me with communication skills, expanded my network, and enhanced my confidence in pursuing employment opportunities. I am deeply grateful to RMCS for their unwavering support. I wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone experiencing similar challenges. RMCS is not just a community service; it is a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of human connection." - Sima

"My name is Anna, and I am an international student from Ukraine. I first applied to the Settlement Services Program in 2023 as I seek employment. I received a comprehensive consultation and a wealth of new information essential for an immigrant's life, including job workshops, food discounts, and various events. Mrs. Irene assisted me not only with my initial questions but continues to support me by providing updated information about events, contests, and other opportunities. She guided me in creating a resume aligned with Canadian standards and advised me on some job positions. Thanks to her assistance, I was able to find my first job as a barista in Canada in a very short time. Thank you to such a professional team!" - Anna

"I arrived from Ukraine in September 2023 and accidentally came across the Richmond Multicultural Community Services (RMCS). This is a very welcoming organization where everyone can find support in their own language. Thanks to RMCS, the process of integrating into Canadian society has become much easier and more enjoyable. Just two weeks after arriving, I started working as a volunteer. This is truly the fastest way to integrate. In addition, they offered me various educational workshops, courses, and consultations covering important topics such as learning English, understanding Canadian culture, employment, and financial literacy. These programs not only provided me with the necessary knowledge and skills but also helped me gain confidence. My daughter took leadership courses and made new friends. In a way, RMCS has become a club for meeting and socializing. The RMCS staff treat everyone with care and attention, making the adaptation process smoother and more comfortable. Often, it is the only place where an immigrant can come with their problem. I am very grateful to them for all the help and support they have given me." - Natalia

"Being a volunteer for Richmond Multicultural Community Services (RMCS) has been one of the most meaningful and valuable experiences of my immigration journey. Like many of you, as newcomers, I faced numerous unpredictable challenges, such as language barriers, cultural differences, and limited problem-solving skills. Fortunately, I had the great opportunity to meet Maki and Yoshimi, who kindly and skillfully guided me to become a front desk receptionist. Thank you, Maki, and thank you, Yoshimi. Over the past year and a half, I have gradually overcome my English language barrier, cultural disorientation, and problem-solving difficulties. First of all, Communicating with all of the staff and new clients in English has significantly improved my language skills. Now, I no longer fear interacting with new people. I need to use English to analyze various clients' needs and help them solve problems. Therefore, I feel more confident in communicating with local people. Additionally, I have found a sense of belonging by attending Chinese festivals and understanding the local multicultural environment through participation in different events like today’s event. RMCS has helped me build connections with both my home country and the local community. I have learned and adapted to the new culture, which makes me feel at home here. Moreover, my volunteer experience has greatly enhanced my problem-solving skills. For example, I felt stressed and anxious when I received my citizenship test invitation, as I only had two weeks to prepare. I want to thank RMCS staff member Xiaowei, who provided professional advice and materials that helped me pass the test successfully. Also, I had no knowledge about tax clinics and used to pay an accountant to handle my tax returns. Under Thuy's guidance, I can now do my tax return myself, saving time, money, and energy. Thank you, Thuy. Today, I have overcome my language fears to make this speech and express my gratitude to all RMCS staff. I feel at home here, surrounded by so many kind members. Thank you, Parm, for being a creative leader and leading a strong and harmonious family to support countless newcomers.
RMCS is like a window of wisdom, broadening my horizon;
RMCS is like a light, bringing hope in the dark;
RMCS is like the sun, warming my heart;
RMCS is like a bridge, building connections with the world.
Thank you so much, RMCS." - Lucy