Volunteer Spotlight – Marina Di Francesco

Meet Marina Di Francesco!

Volunteer Role/Position(s): English Tutor
Volunteering Since: 2023
Languages: English

“Through the NCC, I have been trained to help newcomers develop their English Language Fluency. I have been retired for several years, consequently I have the time, background and interest to help people who are new to Canada. I searched out NCC because I wanted to give back to the Canadian immigrant community. Many years ago my father and grandparents emigrated from Italy to Canada. Their prospects and lives substantially improved once they left their little village and were able to establish themselves in Toronto. Both my father and grandfather became barbers, learned English and eventually had their own barber shops. 

I started volunteering at NCC last year (2023). At that time I received training to be a volunteer English language teaching assistant. After I completed the course, in 2024 I was assigned my first language student. In October I will get my second student. I am only fluent in English. I know many Italian words but I cannot carry on a conversation. This past year I have been working hard to develop language skills in Spanish.”

Why do you love volunteering at our Centre? 
“I like volunteering at NCC because it has given me the opportunity to help people learn English in an established NCC program. It can be overwhelming for a person and/or family to immigrate to Canada. NCC may be the first immigrant aid agency that many of our Northumberland newcomers encounter.

I feel that I am more than a volunteer, I am also a NCC ambassador representing the agency and our country. If I can help to make newcomers’ transition less disorienting and more welcoming, then I have made a positive difference in someone’s life, which is my goal as a volunteer.”