From Grassroots to Groundwork: Mohamed Al-Adeimi's 15-Year Journey with LMLIP

A volunteer's dedication mirrors the LMLIP's transformative impact on London's immigrant community.

In the late 90s, Mohamed Al-Adeimi arrived in London, Ontario, armed with international qualifications but faced with the all-too-familiar struggle of finding work in his field. Today, he is a testament to the change he and others have worked tirelessly to create through the London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership (LMLIP).

"Looking back, fifteen years ago, London was different from what it looks like today," Al-Adeimi reflects. "Immigrants are more aware of the services, accessibility, opportunities of engagement and jobs. LMLIP brought the community together to change the conversation about immigration and immigrants."

Al-Adeimi's journey with LMLIP began before the partnership even existed. As part of the Coalition of Canadian Immigrants, a grassroots organization advocating for the rights and integration of newcomers, he was one of the volunteers who administered a funded survey of newcomers about their skills and education. This grassroots effort laid the groundwork for what would become the LMLIP.

"The federally funded body of the LMLIP is now pursuing the journey that some groups started in the late nineties," he explains, bridging past and present efforts to support newcomers.

Since LMLIP's inception, Al-Adeimi has worn many hats, including Chair of the Settlement Sub-council for a decade. Today, he's the Director of Newcomer Settlement Services at the South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre and continues to demonstrate his commitment to LMLIP's deep-rooted belief in creating a welcoming community where immigrants are valued as assets.

Under Al-Adeimi's watch, the LMLIP has become an accelerator of positive change, bringing together service providers, community partners, and residents to tackle integration challenges head-on. Initiatives like the #All Are Welcome Here campaign have even inspired other Local Immigration Partnerships across Canada.

"LMLIP is the hidden gem in our region, and its work goes beyond the region," Al-Adeimi proudly states.

Looking ahead, Al-Adeimi envisions an even stronger LMLIP. "In the next five years, my hope is that LMLIP gets more resources and continues the great work with the support of residents, community partners, and all groups, including faith institutions and ethnocultural groups. I believe in the power of the whole community when it comes together."

As LMLIP celebrates its 15th anniversary, Al-Adeimi's story is a powerful reminder of the impact dedicated volunteers can have. From an immigrant seeking opportunities to a leader helping others find their path, his journey mirrors the very change LMLIP strives to create in London and Middlesex.

"Fifteen years later, I see individuals who joined the LMLIP, are still committed and actively involved in supporting the work of the LMLIP," Al-Adeimi notes. "With such dedicated volunteers, I am confident that LMLIP will continue its mission in facilitating the successful integration of newcomers."