Sherif Amara
Submitted by Ann Gibbon, Senior Communications Consultant, Communications and Public Affairs

​“When I was studying nursing, I did a practicum at Insite Supervised Consumption Site in downtown Vancouver and was instantly inspired by the work. I had found my purpose."

“My family is Egyptian. I came to North Vancouver from the Middle East when I was six. My mom is a big influence. She always treats people with dignity and respect. In my '20s I became a paramedic: I liked the rush of it. Then I decided to become a registered nurse. When I was studying nursing, I did a practicum at Insite Supervised Consumption Site in downtown Vancouver and was instantly inspired by the work. I had found my purpose. I wanted to help people have access to health care, no matter what their background was. 

I’ve worked at Crosstown Clinic and at an addiction clinic in St. Paul’s Hospital. In May 2017, I came to Fraser Health and helped launch SafePoint Supervised Consumption Site. I love seeing new things blossom and have an impact. Success is a thanks or smile from someone who would never engage and now shares their life story with me. It’s seeing a person who is marginalized come here and experience being part of a community.

I play soccer in a men’s league and love spending time with my family. On my 38th birthday, recently, my wife asked me what I wanted. I said I wanted to take our daughters and hand out sandwiches to people less fortunate. We handed out 130 egg salad sandwiches in 25 minutes. I think that’s going to be a yearly ritual.”  

-- Sherif Amara, Client Care Coordinator at SafePoint Supervised Consumption Site  

Read more Humans of Fraser Health stories: fraserhealth.ca/HumansofFraserHealth


comments powered by Disqus