Rachel Alao is the founding executive director and program director of Winnipeg’s Helping Hands Resource Centre for Immigrants Inc. Since immigrating to Manitoba from Nigeria as a young mother in 1973, she has committed herself to helping countless newcomers to Canada. After graduating from the University of Winnipeg in 1985 with a degree in sociology, she began working as a counsellor at the International Centre in the field of Settlement and Integration and later, as manager of Sonja Rhoda House. In 2004, she launched the Helping Hands Resource Centre which, in partnership with other organizations, helps to integrate, counsel, educate and assist newcomers to maximize their potential. This includes offering beneficial programs ranging from education to the arts. For example, In Harmony, established in conjunction with Prairie Theatre Exchange, gives immigrant women a venue to share and dramatize their stories. Rachel Alao is also active in many related organizations and has sat on numerous boards. She is past president of the Immigrant Women’s Organization and the founding associate minister of the Christ Apostolic Church, Vineyard of Comfort in Winnipeg. She is currently writing her second book, The Insight of Reaching Out, to inspire others to do outreach in their communities.
