Meet Face of London Luis Ayala!

Luis Ayala migrated to Canada as a young man from El Salvador with his family in 2009.  Luis currently works for TD Bank as an Easy Line Specialist and is heavily involved in the London community through his commitment to volunteerism and giving back.

Luis talks about what a long journey to Canada his family travelled.  It was about 6,000 miles from his hometown in El Salvador to Montreal, Quebec.  After about a week, Luis’s father moved his family to London in search of better opportunities. Luis’s father identified London as an optimal place to raise his young family, due to the fact that London is a mid-size city with potential for future growth opportunities.   
Luis is grateful for the experiences and opportunities available in London. However, he acknowledges that this is likely true of many places in Canada, and that one need not stay here to take advantage of a full Canadian life. However, based on his life experiences, London has grown to have special place in his heart. He says that there are a lot of things that you can do in London, such as getting involved in the community.

After 6 years of living in London, Luis appreciates his community and places an emphasis on the importance of giving back.  He is currently involved with the United Way London Life Youth United Initiative, an initiative that he identifies as integral to community building. Luis is also involved with the Big Sisters and Brothers of London as a big brother to a young boy that he now considers to be family. Exhibiting his love for people and dedication to giving back, he also volunteers for London Mission Services, where he spends quality time listening to people share their stories and life experiences with him.

In his message to Londoners, Luis gratefully acknowledges the positive impact that fellow Londoners have had on his family’s life.  He feels that Londoners have been pretty awesome throughout the sometimes tumultuous journey, influencing his appreciation for the lending hands that provided his family with support along the way. He says that it was all the help that they received along the way “which prompted us to think about how we have to start getting involved within the community and start giving back”.  

It is based on his life experiences, that Luis offers the following advice to newcomers: “I do understand that it is hard journey, but my one advice is to get involved as soon as possible- because you never know what another hand can do for you.”
“Get out there and get involved!”