Itza Pinell arrived in Canada only 18 yeas ago after fleeing her Nicaraguan home, with her young family, due to the civil unrest. An educated businesswoman in her homeland, she faced the challenge of making her place in a new country, new city and new culture.

Through a network of support groups, she was referred to the  WEST program and began training at WEST in the spring of 1990. After 6 months, Itza was assigned her "on the job" training experience with the Windsor Police Service. Although this placement was intended to last only 2 months as a data entry clerk, Itza continues to be a part of the Windsor Police Service family today.

Itza often reflects upon her first days at the Windsor Police Service and the courage she was required to find within herself to be a part of a policing organization. Itza's memories of the Police in Nicaragua were those of corruption and invoked fear. She reminisces about how she would actually shake when she came into the Police Headquarters until her new experiences began to push aside old fears.

Itza has worked tirelessly with refufee organizations, food banks, religious organizations and immigrant communtities to help make the lives of visible minorities in Canada a better experience.

 

Today, Itza serves as as President of the Board of Directors at WEST.

Itza is committed to an annual Christmas Drive for refugee families. It exemplifies her compassion and dedication. Each year she not only prepares a list of families in need, she also prepares the Christmas wish lists, assigns sponsor families, collects gifts and then delivers them. Itza is truly a Christmas angel.