From Immigrant Struggle to Community Cornerstone

VANCOUVER, B.C. — In a city known for its diversity, one local business is bridging cultural gaps and addressing critical needs for two of its most vulnerable populations: new immigrants and the elderly. Arian Homecare Services, founded by entrepreneur Kamelia Aria, has grown from a single-client venture into a vital community hub, offering not just health services but also job training, employment opportunities for women, and cultural connection for the local Iranian community.

The story of Arian Homecare is rooted in the personal journey of its founder. Kamelia Aria, who immigrated to Canada in 2010, initially faced the common challenges of a newcomer, despite holding a bachelor's degree in accounting from Iran. "I came here and had to work in a coffee shop," Aria said. It was a customer who first suggested she pursue a career in health care management, a field she knew nothing about. Through hard work and determination—studying while working and raising two children—she earned her diploma.

Kamelia quickly realized the immense need for Farsi-speaking caregivers, especially for elderly Iranians who struggled with English. This insight sparked the idea for a new business. "I said to myself, if I can change the life of Farsi-speaking clients so much, Kamelia should be duplicated," she explained.

The business soon expanded beyond traditional home care to become a vehicle for social good.

Arian Homecare now operates an academy that provides short-term training and certification for aspiring caregivers, with many students being recent immigrants. Leila Haghighi, a nursing specialist working with the company, highlighted the academy's impact. "She provided a lot of valuable services. She was able to help people who, for example, a lady came here, she was a doctor… she said that you really helped us a lot," Haghighi shared.

The academy’s courses are offered in both English and Farsi, and the company even provides free English classes to help students find their footing in their new country. By creating jobs for women, supporting seniors, and assisting children with special needs, Arian Homecare has extended its reach to some of the most overlooked members of society.

This dual focus on care and job creation is at the heart of Arian Homecare's civic mission. By training newcomers, the company creates a skilled workforce that is uniquely equipped to serve the cultural and linguistic needs of elderly clients. As Aria explained, this allows seniors to remain in their homes with "their own culture, especially Iranians. With their own Iranian lifestyle, with their own Iranian food," rather than being moved to nursing homes where they might feel isolated.

Beyond its core services, Arian Homecare has become a volunteer-driven organization deeply embedded in the community. Aria, who previously served as president of the Iranian Association of Burnaby, described the business as a "heartfelt thing" built on the principle of giving back. The company's work with ICBC and Workers’ Compensation Board clients further demonstrates its commitment to serving diverse needs within the community, providing culturally sensitive care for individuals recovering from accidents.

In a world where many newcomers feel lost upon arrival in a new country, leaders like Kamelia Aria provide hope and direction. By offering not only care but also pathways to meaningful work, she helps immigrants find their place and build a future.

From its humble beginnings, Arian Homecare has evolved into a powerful example of how a business can be a force for positive social change—addressing a public need, empowering newcomers, and preserving cultural identity, one caregiver at a time.

Sherry Concluded that Arian Homecare is more than a business; it is a community cornerstone that reflects resilience, compassion, and civic responsibility. Through her vision, Kamelia Aria has shown how one immigrant’s journey can inspire lasting change, creating jobs for women, supporting the vulnerable, and giving newcomers the hope they need to thrive in Canada.