CEIU members have a chance to win $100 e-gift cards for sharing their Asian Heritage Month story. Members have until May 31 to share their story for a chance to win. Details here. Here’s a story from CEIU member Yu Chi.

The first time I stepped into my uncle’s apartment building in Canada, I was amazed. I had never ridden an elevator before — I thought we were living in a hotel.

We had just arrived from China in 1998. I was 10 years old. My dad had been a university professor. My mom, an electrical engineer. But like many immigrants, their credentials didn’t carry over — so they had to start from scratch.

Even getting to Canada was a collective act of hope and sacrifice. Back then, there was no Canadian embassy in mainland China. My grandfather called in every favour he could to help secure interview spots for my parents in Hong Kong. While they were there preparing, friends of the family stepped in to support my dad — offering him a place to stay and food to eat. It was a community effort that paved the way for our new life.

My dad’s first job in Canada was as a chef at Mandarin. From academia to the kitchen, he did what he had to do to support us. But he didn’t stop there. One day, he went to a construction site and asked to work under the table. He wasn’t officially on the crew, and whenever inspectors came by, he had to hide.

Still, he showed up. Every day. And eventually, his hard work earned him a spot in the union. Thanks to that, he’s now about to retire with a pension — a stable future that was only possible because of the protections that union work provided.

My mom worked in a garment factory before eventually opening a small fish and chips restaurant, where I worked throughout high school.

We moved nearly every year, always chasing one-month free rent promotions. It made it hard to make lasting friends, but it gave me a deep appreciation for adaptability and perseverance.

This isn’t a story of fame or spotlight — it’s a story of sacrifice, resilience, and quiet strength. It’s not just my story — it’s the story of so many Asian immigrants who came to Canada chasing a better future, and who worked relentlessly to create one.

This Asian Heritage Month, I’m not just celebrating where I come from. I’m celebrating my parents — and my grandparents — for their grit, their courage, and the legacy of love and endurance they built.

Their story is the foundation of mine. And I carry it with pride.