The Shoe Project MEDIA ADVISORY
Why a Participant of The Shoe Project became a Mentor
TORONTO (May 25, 2022) — When Camila Uriona joined The Shoe Project in 2015, she had no idea that six years and a pandemic later, she would be coaching and mentoring other newcomer women to share their stories.
Arriving in Canada from Bolivia in 2009, Uriona was following her heart to join her
husband. With a solid background in advertising, she had no idea how difficult it would be to attain employment in a new country where work experience was required, but no one seemed willing to give her any. Fast forward a few years to 2014. A friend told her about The Shoe Project and she joined the 2015 workshop in Toronto.
“The Shoe Project has given me the chance to meet immigrant and refugee women from all over the world,” said Uriona. “The relationships you are able to create through The Shoe Project are fundamental when you are going through this process.”
Finding camaraderie and an understanding and supportive network meant a lot to Uriona. In keeping with The Shoe Project’s philosophy of providing opportunities for alumnae, she was asked to be an Assistant Mentor in 2021-22 by novelist and TSP founder, Katherine Govier. She mentored eleven women from various countries, including a recent refugee from Afghanistan.
Employed as a Communications Manager for a not-for-profit for the past eleven years, Uriona recently published her own book of poetry in her native language, Spanish. She continues to find outlets for her creativity and writing and continues to promote the work of The Shoe Project.
“I know lots of my colleagues will agree on this: The Shoe Project is a tight community of immigrant and refugee women who share their lives and their stories within an intimate and safe space. I have enjoyed every aspect of this experience and I hope lots of other women who move to Canada looking for a better life for themselves and their families, have the same opportunity.”
Camila Uriona
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
For interviews: please contact: rhonda.risebrough@theshoeproject.online
About The Shoe Project
For the past ten years, The Shoe Project has been changing the way Canadians see immigrant and refugee women, through story and performance. Every journey begins with a pair of shoes. Our alumnae of 250 women from 62 countries credit The Shoe Project with changing their lives, giving them the skills, confidence and support to succeed in a new country. Many take on leadership roles in the organization. Led by professional Canadian writers and theatre artists, our workshops and performances lift the voices of women immigrants and refugees into Canada’s national conversation.
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