Inas Lasheen, Cross-Cultural Health Promoter at REACH received the BC Council for Families’ 2025 Carol Matusicky Distinguished Service to Families Award. Inas has spent over 12 years supporting newcomers and Arabic-speaking women, leaving a lasting impact on the mental health and cultural safety of many families. This award recognition is a testament to her continued commitment to community health. Here, Inas reflects on her journey at REACH and the inspiring stories that continue to guide her work.

- Can you tell us about your journey at REACH?

“Over my years at REACH, my journey has been shaped by the resilience, courage, and strength of newcomer families especially Arabic-speaking women rebuilding their lives after war, trauma, and displacement. When I joined REACH in 2013, I began with a focus on settlement support, but over time my role expanded to include trauma-informed mental health support, system navigation, English conversation groups, women’s wellness programs, sewing and skills-building workshops, ICBC driving knowledge test preparation and Canadian citizenship test preparation, settlement education, and culturally safe community groups. Through all these programs, my goal has remained the same: to create safe, welcoming spaces where women can learn, heal, and feel a sense of belonging. Today, I feel proud that I’ve been able to support more than 1000 families as they rebuild their lives after war, displacement, and loss. What has guided my work from the beginning is trust, cultural safety, and a deep commitment to early intervention and preventative care.”

- Is there a particular moment or memory that stands out for you?

“There are many moments that stand out, but one moment that stands out for me is from a participant who had fled war, was caring for a son with cancer, and was experiencing deep depression. During one of our group sessions, she shared that attending the program was “better than medication” for her healing. She told me that the group helped her feel hopeful again, improved her English, and gave her the confidence to participate more fully in Canadian society. She also said that the program connected her with other women in a way that felt like being “with family,” something she hadn’t felt since leaving her home country. Through the program, she gained emotional support, practical parenting tools, improved communication skills, and a strong sense of belonging. Watching her transform from feeling isolated and overwhelmed to feeling supported, confident, and connected is a reminder of the deep impact these culturally safe group programs can have.

Stories like hers reflect the power of culturally safe programs and how they can restore hope, reduce isolation, and help women rebuild their identity and strength. I have seen women go from feeling isolated and overwhelmed to becoming volunteers, leaders, and supporters for others.”

- What inspires you to come to work every day at REACH?

“What inspires me every day at REACH is the incredible resilience of the families I work with. Despite immense challenges; trauma, language barriers, and starting over with very little, they show determination, compassion, and hope. Being able to walk alongside them, whether through emotional support, practical skills, wellness programs, or simply listening, gives deep meaning to my work. I am also inspired by my colleagues at REACH. I feel supported, valued, and part of a team that truly believes in community care, and meeting people where they are. That sense of shared purpose motivates me to come to work each day with gratitude and commitment.”

- Inas Lasheen