March 2026
Nowruz — From Seed to Community
Flowers, handmade crafts and community participation connected cultural renewal with support for classroom space.
Explore NowruzCurrent program · Free to participate
English for Employment
Employment is the goal. Your experience is the starting point.
In partnership with The Salvation Army
English for Employment
Practical job-search education, not a general English class
English for Employment reduces financial, technological and cultural barriers to employment through practical instruction in Canadian job search, employer expectations, résumés, applications and interviews. Participants learn to interpret real job advertisements and describe transferable experience honestly, using language employers recognize.
English communication can grow through participation; the central purpose is employment readiness. Participants build on existing strengths, use AI thoughtfully to support authentic résumé drafting, and practise answers grounded in real examples.
Every Friday
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Ongoing since September 18, 2026 · 9050 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill
Program designed and led by Bahareh Morad, MEng, MACP, RP
Executive Director, Diamond STEM
The learning journey
Designed curriculum: the pathway is not a claim that every session has already been delivered.
01
Know yourself
Explore your background, interests, values, and short- and long-term goals.
02
Discover your strengths
Connect your work, education, family, and life experience to transferable skills.
03
Turn strengths into evidence
Use action words and real examples to show what you can do.
04
Connect the words
Build employment vocabulary and describe your experience accurately in English.
05
Read a real job posting
Identify employer keywords, match your strengths, and understand job requirements with AI support.
06
Write your résumé
Turn verified experience into a professional summary, key skills, and work experience, with AI-assisted drafting.
07
Tailor your résumé
Compare your résumé with the job posting and refine it for a specific application.
08
Practise interviews
Prepare answers using real examples and practise in a mock interview.
Our work in practice
Real experience. Real job skills.
From recognizing personal strengths to reading a real job posting, our teaching connects participants’ existing experience with what employers need. English for Employment is employment-readiness education — not a general English class.
- 3 pilot deliveries
- 2 in person · 1 virtual, reported by Diamond STEM
- Ongoing since September 2026
- Free Friday sessions in partnership with The Salvation Army
- 8-session learning pathway
- Self-knowledge → evidence → résumé → interview practice
Inside our teaching
From self-knowledge to employment
The designed pathway connects all eight sessions; it is not a claim that every session has already been delivered.
The Strength Tree
Roots: background. Trunk: strengths. Branches: skills. Fruit: real examples that support a job application.
Community makes it possible
Making room for opportunity
The Salvation Army
Shared community space and collaboration make our Friday program possible. We are grateful for this welcome; the contribution is space, not financial sponsorship or bus tickets.
Richmond Hill Public Library
The library supported fundraising locations at Central Library, Oak Ridges and Richmond Green, helping volunteers bring community initiatives into public spaces.
Our volunteers & supporters
Diamond STEM reports that earlier Nowruz and Mother’s Day fundraising helped cover classroom-space costs. Technology and bus fares remain separate needs in our current funding request.
Our why
Even a free program needs access
A participant cannot use a free course if the bus fare is unaffordable or there is no computer for online applications. Earlier community fundraising helped cover classroom costs. Our current request addresses technology, transit and learning materials so people can put their experience to work.
Our past fundraising
May 2026
Mother’s Day — Flowers of Remembrance
A youth-led tribute through handmade items and community conversations, with fundraising toward classroom-space costs.
Read our Mother’s Day storyAre you new to Canada and unsure about the school system for your children?
Settlement & School Navigation Support
We offer free 30-minute guidance sessions for newcomers navigating the Canadian school system for children and youth, including enrollment, special education supports, and community resources. Extended support and workshops are available for settlement needs, communication, and educational planning.
Looking for help with employment, resumes, or the Canadian workplace?
Employment & Integration Support
We provide workshops and one-on-one guidance focused on resume building, interview preparation, workplace communication, and career planning to help newcomers enter the Canadian workforce with confidence.