Steinbach resident wins provincial Mosaic Award

A Steinbacher that works with newcomers has won a provincial Mosaic Award, which is aimed at immigrants, newcomers, and refugees who are making a difference in their communities.

Marinel Santos won the Heart of the Community Award, which recognizes a newcomer, immigrant, or refugee who leads with empathy and has become a pillar of support and connection in their community.

“This is my passion to help people,” she said, noting she is honoured and grateful to receive the award.

Leaving her family behind, Santos came to Canada in 2007 from Quezon, Philippines. She got a job in HR working with an organization that helps people with intellectual disabilties and joined HyLife in 2022 as its immigration settlement coordinator. She said she wanted to help newcomers as she knows what it’s like to leave your country and family behind and what it means to be an immigrant.

As the immigrant settlement coordinator, Santos greets newcomers at the airport with their first Tim Hortons coffee and doughnut. She helps them get their accommodations, driver’s licence, SIN card, Manitoba Health Card, and anything else they may need. She has fostered relationships with these newcomers so that many of them have started calling her mom, sister, or auntie. She sees them as her children and feels a sense of responsibility for them.

“It’s just like me, because probably it’s just my passion to help others. So, I just feel like I have responsibility with everyone. And, of course, I like working with them. I feel that they were my responsibilities as…children,” she said.

Baerbel Langner, senior director of immigration at HyLife said Santos’ “kindness extends beyond logistics. Marinel spearheaded a winter coat drive at HyLife, ensuring newcomers had warm clothing for Manitoba’s harsh winters. She also introduces newcomers to Canadian culture through outings to local landmarks like The Forks, the Manitoba Museum, and community fairs.”

Santos has three sons who are very supportive of the work that she does with HyLife.

“They were happy. They were so proud,” she said. “And they said they’re not surprised that I got this award. Because they knew I need to be recognized. But they also knew that I’m the kind of person that wanted to step back from the spotlight. I’m just helping anyone I could and not expecting anything in return.”