I don’t know what kind of community you are, but I’d like to ask for your help. My brother is a Mormon, and I respect him a lot. Here in my country, Costa Rica, he often told me how wonderful the Mormon community is. Now, he went to live for a time in Canada, specifically Toronto. He’s been telling me how hard it is to find support and work, so I suggested that he ask for help from the Mormon community there. He told me that they often ask him for his papers, though. I don’t understand why he can’t get help from his community. That’s why I’m writing you. My brother isn’t asking for a handout, he’s just asking for work. Is there anything that can be done to help him? Thanks for your help.
2 Responses to “I don’t know what kind of community you are, but I’d like to…”
Leonardo Castro
2010-03-29 05:31:18
Hi Andrés. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone in Toronto. As you can imagine, cultural and linguistic barriers can sometimes make it difficult for people to communicate with each other, even if they do share the same faith. I suspect that that is what is happening with your brother. There are two Spanish-language Mormon congregations in Toronto. Is he attending one of those congregations? Perhaps it would be easier, since he'd be able to communicate with people better.
I'm not sure what the laws are like in Canada, but I suspect people are asking him about his papers because it is difficult to find a good job without them. The Church does not care whether someone is in the country legally or not, but if your brother is asking for help to find a job, that information is highly relevant. Many people cannot legally hire illegal immigrants, I suspect. Did I understand correctly, that your brother did not enter Canada legally?
Your brother may wish to contact LDS Employment Services, a Mormon organization that might be able to help him, though, as I mentioned, his illegal status may make things difficult, independent of church efforts. I was once an illegal immigrant, through no fault of my own, and so I can sympathize with your brother.
If you'd like to learn more about our community, I invite you to visit with two of our volunteer missionaries. I'm sure they'd be happy to explain the church to you and answer any questions you might have. Being Mormon has been a great blessing in my own life. It's at the core of who I am, my greatest source of spiritual strength. God bless you.
Pamela Dean
2010-03-29 14:17:39
The regional LDS employment services for the toronto area is found at 85 Queen's Plate Drive in Etobicoke. 416-741-7088
I'm not sure what the laws are like in Canada, but I suspect people are asking him about his papers because it is difficult to find a good job without them. The Church does not care whether someone is in the country legally or not, but if your brother is asking for help to find a job, that information is highly relevant. Many people cannot legally hire illegal immigrants, I suspect. Did I understand correctly, that your brother did not enter Canada legally?
Your brother may wish to contact LDS Employment Services, a Mormon organization that might be able to help him, though, as I mentioned, his illegal status may make things difficult, independent of church efforts. I was once an illegal immigrant, through no fault of my own, and so I can sympathize with your brother.
If you'd like to learn more about our community, I invite you to visit with two of our volunteer missionaries. I'm sure they'd be happy to explain the church to you and answer any questions you might have. Being Mormon has been a great blessing in my own life. It's at the core of who I am, my greatest source of spiritual strength. God bless you.