ESL participant shares gratitude

Three years ago, a funny little flyer showed up in an email from our new priest, the Rev. Irina Dubinski, who had recently arrived at St. Timothy, North Toronto. The flyer proposed that we start an ESL program at St. Timothy’s. At that point, Irina was turning us upside down: shifting the position of the altar, removing pews so communion could be administered closer to the congregation, starting a vegetable garden on the front lawn of the church. My, but there was a lot happening! And it was wonderful …

Several of us responded to Irina’s call. None of us had experience teaching English as a second language, but we were game to support our new priest as she set about reconnecting St. Tim’s with the neighbourhood. There were those of us – I was one! – who wondered whether such an initiative could ever fly in a posh, two-income neighbourhood like North Toronto. Who did we know who needed to learn how to speak English?

At the first ESL session in June 2023, six volunteers showed up. To our surprise, so did six willing students. A single mother from Brazil teaching at university, a young man from Turkey, someone from India, someone else from Hong Kong… and all they wanted to do was talk in English so they could improve their speaking skills. The skeptics among us left that first get-together feeling that we were truly doing God’s work. Those six students were so grateful to be able to sit in our library with no fear of judgment or criticism, working their way through tough words like “enough” as we helped them as much as we could.

By the end of the first year, the leadership of the Rev. Carol Shih, our assistant curate, had grown the attendance to 10-20 students who arrived every Tuesday morning from all over the city. A real community had developed within St. Tim’s ESL program. Friendships were created as newcomers from all over the world found comfort in each other’s experiences. They went on weekend trips together around the city, they supported each other when interviews didn’t turn into jobs, and we all celebrated when someone arrived and said it was their final meeting because they had found a job. A reading group formed spontaneously and met for an hour every two weeks to discuss the English book they were all reading. A career mentoring group also met every two weeks, and we helped several newcomers find jobs to support their new lives in Canada.

Jonathan Kang took over from Carol after her departure in 2025. The ESL program continued to thrive during his time with us. The development of a greater degree of lay leadership was a hallmark of his guidance during the third year of the ESL program.

In April 2026 – three years after the ESL program was started – the wife of an Iranian couple who often attend our sessions asked if she could address the group. Farnoosh stood up and read this letter:

Dear volunteers,

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for everything you have done for us. Your kindness, patience, and dedication in teaching us English during this time have truly made a meaningful difference in our lives.

Because of your support, we have gained more confidence in speaking, improved our skills and feel more connected to the community. You didn’t just teach us a language – you opened new doors and gave us hope for a better future.

Even in the cold of winter, through snow and harsh weather, you came and continued to support us. This showed us your true commitment and kindness, and we will never forget it.

This week is Volunteer Week, and we would also like to congratulate you on being part of this meaningful and inspiring community.

We deeply appreciate the time and energy you shared with us. Your encouragement has inspired us to keep learning and growing. Thank you for your generosity and for believing in us.

With sincere appreciation,

Farnoosh Darooie

In the shadows of the photo from that day are the 150-200 other volunteers and participants who have passed through the St. Tim’s ESL program since 2023, including my late wife Sheila, to whom this program was so dear that we talked about it in the hospital up until the end. It’s good to recognize the number of lives – both students and volunteers – that we have touched so positively in such a short time. Not all of the volunteers are members of our congregation; several live in the neighbourhood, heard what we were doing and wanted to participate.

Several of the folks who first walked through our doors hoping to learn how to speak better English have themselves become parishioners and begun to volunteer in other parish initiatives: gardening, arranging altar flowers, running AV during services.

And finally, it’s important to acknowledge that Irina “stepped out in faith” when she suggested we do this three years ago, despite the misgivings some of us had. She knew we wanted to reconnect with those who needed what we had to give. She understood that if we were successful that we could change many lives for the better.

She was right: we have.