Leeds & GrenvilleDiversity Day Immigrants, Employers, Service Providers andCommunity Members of Leeds and Grenville

HOSTED BY:LEEDS & GRENVILLE IMMIGRATION PARTNERSHIPCITY OF BROCKVILLE

07 Facilitated Discussions

03 What is the Leeds & Grenville

Immigration Partnership?

04 Diversity Day 2016

08 Economic Development & Labour

Market

09 Community Awareness & Community

Support

CON

TEN

TS

2

12 Service Providers & Community

Resources

03 Council Members

05 Participants

06 Welcoming Communities vs. Inclusive

Communities

14 The Way Forward

15 Event Evaluation

16 Appendix

W H A T I S T H E L E E D S & G R E N V I L L E

I M M I G R A T I O N P A R T N E R S H I P ?

2016The Leeds & Grenville Immigration Partnership is a coalition of

organizations working to make Leeds & Grenville an attractive

place for immigrants to live, work, study and invest in. Funded

by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the

Immigration Partnership was established in 2010 after

extensive consultations with newcomers from

Leeds & Grenville and nearby urban centres, and various Leeds

& Grenville service providers. Making Leeds & Grenville

communities welcoming and inclusive for immigrants was an

underlying priority of these consultations, and as a result,

became one of the objectives of the Immigration Partnership.

The Immigration Partnership is led by a Secretariat consisting

of a Program Manager and a Project Coordinator who work

closely with a Council of 20 (2016) individuals and

organizations from across Leeds & Grenville. The Council

shares best practices, develops initiatives that support

immigrants, and raises the awareness of the importance of

creating welcoming and inclusive communities.

C O U N C I L M E M B E R S ( 2 0 1 6 )

Brockville & District Multicultural Council

Chinese & Canadian Heritage Cultural

Association

City of Brockville Economic Development

CSE Consulting

Employment + Education Centre

Francophone Immigration Support

Network of East Ontario

Fulford Academy

KEYS Job Centre

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health

Unit

Leeds Grenville Small Business Enterprise

Centre

Parks Canada

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food &

Rural Affairs

St. Lawrence College

1000 Islands Region Workforce

Development Board

TR Leger Immigrant Services/TR Leger

Services aux Immigrants

The Works Events Canada Inc.

United Counties of Leeds & Grenville

Upper Canada Leger Centre

Volunteer Centre of St. Lawrence-Rideau

YMCA of Brockville & Area

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D I V E R S I T Y D A Y 2 0 1 6

On October 26, 2016, Leeds & Grenville Diversity Day was held at the

Brockville Memorial Centre. The event was hosted by the Leeds &

Grenville Immigration Partnership and the City of Brockville and was

facilitated by Elizabeth Green, a private consultant based in Brockville

(see Appendix B for full biography). Fifty-eight participants came together

to learn from keynote speaker Hindia Mohamoud (see Appendix C for full

biography), Director of the Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership, who

spoke about creating welcoming communities in Ottawa. Participants

also heard from a panel of local individuals who shared their

experiences about welcoming newcomers to their community and

settling in Leeds & Grenville as a newcomer.

To make Leeds and Grenvillea more inclusive region fornewcomers by discussing

ideas, strategizing for action,and pledging to participate.

Diversity DayObjective

Hindia Mohamoud, Directorof the Ottawa Local

Immigration Partnership,spoke about creating

welcoming communities inOttawa.

KeynoteSpeaker

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P A R T I C I P A N T S

A variety of stakeholders and partners participated in Diversity Day. The full list

can be found in Appendix A.

Representatives from municipal, provincial and federal government agencies

Service providers representing 8 different sectors (Education, Refugee Support,

Employment, Public Health, Recreation, Public Libraries, Volunteering,

Immigrant Services, Community Safety)

Newcomers

Faith communities

Employers

Post-secondary students and community youth

Representatives from four different Immigration Partnerships

Individuals representing organizations from Merrickville, Kemptville, Perth,

Brockville and Augusta Township

Organizations who serve all of Leeds & Grenville

The panel included: Julie Case, Settlement Worker, TR Leger Immigrant

Services/TR Leger Services aux Immigrants; Brandy Smith, Community Engagement

Coordinator, Brockville Public Library; Tony Komery, newcomer; Monique van

Someren, newcomer; Samia O’Day, Founder and Director of the Canada Music

Academy, All You Need Music and the Montreal Academy of Music; Linda

Chadwick, CEO, Brockville Public Library.

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W E L C O M I N G C O M M U N I T I E S V S .

I N C L U S I V E C O M M U N I T I E S

COM

MUN

ITY

WHAT IS A WELCOMING COMMUNITY?

A welcoming community is one where there is a positive attitude

toward immigrants, cultural diversity, and the presence of

newcomers in the community. This positive attitude can come in the

form of feelings, opinions and/or behaviours towards newcomers.

Positive attitudes towards immigrants are closely related to other

characteristics such as lack of discrimination in the workplace, social

engagement and relationships with the police and justice system.

A welcoming community and an inclusive community are defined

differently. Using an immigrant context, the Diversity Day facilitator

explained the differences between them.

Reference: http://p2pcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Characteristics-of-a-Welcoming-Community-11.pdf

WHAT IS AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY?

An inclusive community is one where there is social involvement and

intercultural understanding between newcomers and local members

of the community. Members reach out to engage newcomers and help

them connect to social, political and cultural opportunities.

Opportunities to build social connections, increased intercultural

understand and respect between newcomers and the local

community, inclusion and common identity, increased exposure to the

labour market, improving language skills, increasing knowledge of

local culture, feeling more connected to other residents

and, increasing a sense of identification with the local community are

all results of an inclusive community.

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F A C I L I T A T E D D I S C U S S I O N S

Led by the event facilitator, small group discussions provided

an opportunity for all participants to discuss key questions

pertaining to the current and future inclusivity of Leeds and

Grenville communities. The following section provides an ‘as

was said’ overview of those discussions organized under the

themes of Economic Development & Labour Market,

Community Awareness & Community Support, Service

Providers & Community Resources. Points marked with an

asterisk (*) were recorded numerous times by various

participant groups.

Within each theme, strengths and challenges were identified

by participants as factors that either hindered or helped Leeds

& Grenville communities become more inclusive for

newcomers. The Participant Pledges reflect what participants

felt they or their organization could do to enhance the

inclusivity of local communities. The reader is encouraged to

use and share these ideas with others who may be interested

in creating open and inclusive workplaces, schools,

neighbourhoods, towns and cities.

Groups discussed ways to makeLeeds and Grenville a more

inclusive region for newcomersby discussing ideas,

strategizing for action, andpledging to participate.

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E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T &

L A B O U R M A R K E T

What strengths in our community

can improve inclusiveness?

Economic development and smallcommunity support for smallbusinessesTourism destinationEconomic development - encouragingpeople to come to our communityProcess of growth is improving

What challenges in our community

prevent inclusiveness?

"WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH

ATTRACTING AND RETAINING

NEWCOMERS TO THE AREA VIA

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT AND THE TOWN OF

SMITH FALLS."

"SHARE JOB POSTINGS WITH

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS MORE

BROADLY."

"RAISE THE ISSUE RE:

HIRING/EMPLOYMENT

SPECIFICALLY IN THE

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES SECTOR

AS AN OPPORTUNITY."

"WORK ON READYING MY STAFF

FOR A REFUGEE WORKER."

"CONNECT BETTER WITH THE

CITY OF BROCKVILLE ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT."

"HIRE NEWCOMERS WHO

ARE EQUALLY SKILLED AS

OTHERS."

Lack of employment*Provincial jurisdiction in tradesLicensing

PARTICIPANT PLEDGES

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C O M M U N I T Y A W A R E N E S S &

C O M M U N I T Y S U P P O R T

What strengths in our community

can improve inclusiveness?

Visible commitment (media coverageof refugees)Changing mindsets - progress,immigrants, names, preconceivednotionsWe know where Aleppo and Liberiaare!Worldview is changing - opening!Embracing diversityStrong desire in the communitySmall community - welcoming andapproachableWelcoming, warm attitudesLocal faith communityGood partnerships and goodwillWillingness to discuss, share, improveour inclusivenessGenerosity ($$)Refugees have been welcomedChurches are getting together / gottogether!Municipal supportLeadership (change inattitude/coming from the top)

What challenges in our community

prevent inclusiveness?

Biases exist (can be subtle, culture,systemic racism, assumptions)*Inclusivity based on differentenvironmentBeing a visible minority can play afactor in acceptance - don't judge abook by its cover.Labels (us vs. them, race, poverty,disability)*Our communities haven't beenchallenged in inclusivenessVisibility* - there aren't manyvisible minorities hereMisinformed - media creates aculture of fear*Lack of culturalknowledge/education awarenessMedia vs. individual portrayal ofthe situation - is it the wholepicture?*Connecting to the idea - focussingon details blocking the path the toideaAttitudes and beliefsSocial media - not enough goodstoriesOvercoming culturalobstacles/cultural sensitivityBusy lives prevent social inclusion

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PARTICIPANT PLEDGES

EVENTSNEWCOMER

SUPPORT

COMMUNITY AWARENESS & COMMUNITY SUPPORT

"THROUGH STAYINGINVOLVED WITH OUR

MULTICULTURAL &DISTRICT FESTIVALS."

"SPEAK TO THE DIRECTOROF ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT AND CITYMANAGER TO DISCUSSTHE CITY HOSTING ANEVENT TO CELEBRATE

IMMIGRANTS &INTERNATIONAL

STUDENTS."

"CONTINUE TO MAKECONNECTIONS -

INTERFAITHGATHERINGS."

"PARTICIPATE IN FUTUREIMMIGRATION

PARTNERSHIP EVENTS."*

"I WILL PAY ATTENTIONTO WHEN THE NEXT

MULTI-CULTURAL EVENTIS AND ATTEND."

"I PLEDGE TO ALWAYSWELCOME AND GREETNEWCOMERS WITH AN

OPEN MIND."

"I PLEDGE TO FIND NEWIDEAS AND WAYS TO GET

INVOLVED IN THECOMMUNITY TO HELP

NEWCOMERS."

"BUILDING OURCOMMUNITY INTO A

STRONGER INTEGRATEDCOMMUNITY."

"GET INVOLVED IN THECOMMUNITY, MAKE THEM

FEEL WELCOME."

"WELCOME NEWCOMERS,HELP THEM AS MUCH AS

POSSIBLE."

"HELP FAMILY MEMBERSWHO FEEL ISOLATED, TO

FIND THEIR COMMUNITY."

"TALK WITH A NEWCOMERIN OUR COMMUNITY."

"HELP A NEW FAMILY ON APRACTICAL LEVEL

(SHOPPING FOR A PROPERCOAT - DOWN FILLED!)"

"TO ENLIGHTENNEWCOMERS AND DO

WHAT I CAN TO SHOW MYAPPRECIATION AND

WELCOME THEM WITHOPEN ARMS."

VOLUNTEERING

"VOLUNTEER AT THEBROCKVILLE PUBLIC

LIBRARY, VOLUNTEER ATTHE DIVERSITY DAY

CELEBRATION. I WILL ALSOINCLUDE NEWCOMERS IN

ACTIVITIES & HOPE TOENCOURAGE NEWCOMERS

TO GET INVOLVED."

"CONTACT THE LOCALREFUGEE COMMITTEE TOVOLUNTEER OR DONATE."

"LOOK FOR WAYS TO BEINCLUSIVE THROUGH

VOLUNTEERISM."

"VOLUNTEER IN MYCOMMUNITY, BE AN

AMBASSADOR OFCULTURAL DIVERSITY AND

SOCIAL INCLUSION."

"MORE HELP - THE PEOPLEIN OUR COMMUNITIES."

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ADVOCACY &

AWARENESS RAISING

COMMUNITY AWARENESS & COMMUNITY SUPPORT

"AT THE CITY OF KINGSTON LEVEL,TRY TO GET SOME MORE SUPPORT

AND BUY-IN."

"PERSONALLY ANDPROFESSIONALLY, I FEEL WE HAVE

TO DO EVERYTHING TO MAKEINCLUSION MORE OF A PRIORITY."

"SPREADING WORD OF MOUTHABOUT THIS DIVERSITY MEETING."

"HELPING HAND, PATIENCE,EXPRESSING TO OTHERS WHO ARE

OPEN MINDED, THE BENEFITS OFHELPING."

"LEARN MORE ABOUTSUPPORTING NEW CANADIANS

AND THEIR QUEST FOR BUILDINGA NEW LIFE IN VERY SMALL

COMMUNITIES WITH LITTLEDIVERSITY."

"CONTINUE TO DISPEL MYTHSREGARDING DISABILITIES AND

DIFFERENCES WHENEVER I SPEAKWITH PEOPLE."

"CONTINUE TO EDUCATE MYSELFON MULTICULTURAL ISSUES."*

"CONTINUE TO EXPLORE MY ROLEIN PRIVILEGE/EQUITY."

"STRENGTHEN OUR EXISTINGOUTREACH TO COMMUNITYPARTNERS ON THE TOPIC OF

INCLUSION."

"I WILL CONTINUE TO HAVEDISCUSSIONS WITH MY FRIENDS

AND COLLEAGUES."*

"TO BECOME MORE INVOLVED INTHE COMMUNITY AND EVENTS TO

UNDERSTAND MORE OFDIFFERENT CULTURES AND

BELIEFS."

"CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FORMINORITIES."

"LEARN COMMON GREETINGSAND WELCOMING PHRASES IN 3

NEW LANGUAGES."

PARTICIPANT PLEDGES

"SHARING POSITIVE STORIES;

RAISING AWARENESS WITH

THOUGHT PROVOKING

CONVERSATION."

"BE AWARE OF AND

CALL OUT

UNCONSCIOUS BIASES I

MAY HAVE."*

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S E R V I C E P R O V I D E R S &

C O M M U N I T Y R E S O U R C E S

What strengths in our community

can improve inclusiveness?

VolunteersService agenciesLeeds & Grenville ImmigrationPartnership*Francophone Initiative (FrancophoneImmigration Support of East Ontario)Supportive institutionsSmall community vs. citySharing of resourcesAddiction and Mental Health OpenAcess Walk-In DaysCommunity policing

What challenges in our community

prevent inclusiveness?

How to connect the resources toimmigrants? (proactive)HousingTransportation*Easy access to language servicesLack of child careAccess to $ for translators - arethere services that can be shared?Time of day demand for servicesLanguage and communicationbarriersIsolationLimited advancement to leadershiproles for newcomersAssimilation vs. connecting*Lack of knowledge - rules andregulationsAwareness of resourcesTrying to always overcomeobstacles, adaptability

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ADVOCACY &

AWARENESS

RAISING

COLLABORATION

& SHARING BEST

PRACTICES

PERSONAL

INITIATIVES

SERVICE PROVIDERS & COMMUNITY RESOURCES

"TALK ABOUT THE LEEDS &GRENVILLE IMMIGRATION

PARTNERSHIP."*

"INCLUDE A POSITIVERECOGNITION OF BRAVERY

DEMONSTRATED BY ANINTERNATIONAL STUDENT,EACH TIME I ENGAGE WITHA TEACHER QUESTIONING

THEIR WILLINGNESS TOENGAGE."

"ADD DIVERSE IMMIGRANTSTORIES TO THE

BROCKVILLE ARTSWEBSITE."

"OFFER WORKSHOPS &COMMUNITY EVENTS TOEXPAND KNOWLEDGE OF

'OTHERS'."

"SPEAK TO VARIOUSORGANIZATION OF WHICH I

AM A MEMBER - RELATINGSTORIES AND ANECDOTES

SHARED TODAY - WITH THEGOAL OF PROVIDING MORE

RESOURCES TO HELPNEWCOMERS."

"I WILL HELP DEVELOPTOOLS AND RESOURCES INMY ORGANIZATION THAT

WILL HELP RAISEAWARENESS OF HEALTH

EQUITY TO BETTER SERVENEWCOMERS."

"I WILL WORK WITH MY STAFFAND VOLUNTEERS TO ENSUREOUR YMCA IS INCLUSIVE AND

ACCESSIBLE. I WILL ALSOWORK TO BUILD

PARTNERSHIPS/RELATION-SHIPS WITH COMMUNITY

SERVICE PROVIDERS."

"TO CONTINUE TO BECOMEMORE AWARE OF RESOURCES

AND CULTURES OFIMMIGRANTS IN THE

COMMUNITY."

"WORK ON 'LIVING' LIBRARYWITH IMMIGRANT

COMPONENT FOR CULTUREDAYS 2017."

"I PLAN TO BRING THIS TOPICTO LIGHT IN THE

FACILITATION OF MY YOUTHPROGRAM."

"IN MY ROLE AS ESL SUPPORTIN A SCHOOL BOARD, I WILL

WORK TO UNDERSTAND HOWNEWCOMERS ACCESS THE

SERVICES OUTSIDE OFSCHOOL THAT ARE AVAILABLE

TO THEM."

"IMPROVE MY PERSONALQUALIFICATIONS IN

LANGUAGE SUPPORT."

"WORK MORECOLLABORATIVELY WITH

OTHER IMMIGRATIONPARTNERSHIPS IN OUR

COMMUNITY."

"WORK MORECOLLABORATIVELY WITH

OTHER COMMUNITYAGENCIES TO INCREASE

OUR CAPACITY TO BEINCLUSIVE."

"SHARE BEST PRACTICES -KEYS AND ACROSS THE

PROVINCE."

"BE IN CONTACT WITHOTHER EMPLOYMENTSERVICE PROVIDERS -

KEYS."

"CONNECT WITH LEEDS &GRENVILLE LIBRARIES TO

'SPREAD THE WORD."

"PROVIDE SUPPORT ANDIDEAS TO THE EEC, THE

CITY, IMMIGRATIONPARTNERSHIP AND OTHER

COMMUNITYSTAKEHOLDERS BASED ON

OUR EXPERIENCES,SUCCESSES AND LESSONSLEARNED IN KINGSTON."

"SUPPORT THE EXPANSIONAND SPECIALIZATION OF

EMPLOYMENT ANDRELATED SERVICES (I.E.

MENTORING) INGANANOQUE AND

BROCKVILLE. CONTINUETO PARTICIPATE & SHARE."

PARTICIPANT PLEDGES

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T H E W A Y F O R W A R D

The strengths, challenges, and participant pledges

identified in this report, will enable the Leeds & Grenville

Immigration Partnership to work with partners and

stakeholders to develop community initiatives that address

inclusivity issues throughout Leeds & Grenville. This

report will also feed into the development of a 2017/18

work plan for the Immigration Partnership.

Event participants are strongly encouraged to examine the

challenges, strengths and ideas for improvement presented

in this report. If a participant is interested in pursuing an

initiative, they are encouraged to reach out to the

Immigration Partnership for access to relevant best

practices research, connections to community partners,

funding ideas and general support.

Melissa Francis

Project Manager

melissaf@eecentre.com

613-498-2111 ext. 244

Project Coordinator

vivianne@eecentre.com

613-498-2111 ext. 261

Vivianne White

www.leedsgrenvilleimmigration.ca

www.facebook.com/LGimmigration

@LGimmigration

2017

514

EVENT EVALUATION

All participants were asked to complete an event evaluation.

The following is a summary of the results.

When asked if the workshop met their expectations:

Key suggestions for event

improvement included:Participants were most

interested in the:

Group table discussionsPanel discussionKeynote speakerImmigration Partnership Presentation

Providing more time for personalnewcomer stories.Including a larger number ofnewcomer participants & panelmembers.

metexpectations

'somewhat' metexpectations

didn't meetexpectations

of participants felt the event was 'very

good' or 'excellent'.

of participants felt that the workshop

achieved the objectives outlined at the

beginning of the day.

of participants felt the event organization

was 'very good' or 'excellent'.

93%

100%

84% 14% 2%

92%

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A P P E N D I X A :

E V E N T P A R T I C I P A N T L I S T

Alexis Green Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health UnitAudrey Bridge The Merrickville Bridge to CanadaAustin Bennett Youth Job ConnectionBea Singh Leeds & Grenville Immigration Partnership Council, Brockville and DistrictMulticultural FestivalBill Bannan Employment + Education CentreBill Buckler Augusta TownshipBrandy Smith Brockville Public LibraryBrianna Conlon Youth Job ConnectionChristine Kennedy St. Lawrence College (student)Dean Brown Upper Canada District School BoardDebbie Blair Leeds & Grenville Addiction and Mental HealthDeborah Alarie Employment + Education CentreDerek Grise Youth Job ConnectionDiana Liu Immigration, Refugees and Immigration CanadaEileen Doner Wall Street United ChurchEmily Wimpenny Brockville and Area YMCAEric Gingras Youth Job ConnectionEvan Treff Youth Job ConnectionGeorge Elliott Augusta TownshipGillian Jackson Developmental Service of Leeds and GrenvilleHarold Hess Volunteer Centre of St. Lawrence RideauHindia Mohamoud Ottawa Local Immigration PartnershipHunter Coates Youth Job ConnectionJacqueline Schoemaker Holmes City of BrockvilleJames Lucas Youth Job ConnectionJudith Haddad Refugee support, PerthJulie Case TR Leger Immigrant Services/TR Leger Services aux ImmigrantsKara Turner Smiths Falls Local Immigration PartnershipKatie Nolan Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural AffairsLesley White City of BrockvilleLinda Chadwick Brockville Public LibraryLori Taylor Upper Canada District School BoardMadeleine Nerenberg KEYS Job CentreMarion Daley Volunteer Centre of St. Lawrence RideauMatthew Raby Upper Canada Leger CentreMatthew Robertson Youth Job ConnectionMeghan Sample CSE ConsultingMichael Harris KEYS Job CentreMike Steacy Youth Job Connection 16

A P P E N D I X A :

E V E N T P A R T I C I P A N T L I S T C O N T ' D

Monique van Someren NewcomerMorgan VonBylburg St. Lawrence CollegeRyan Gilbert Youth Job ConnectionRuss Disotell Brockville Culture DaysSamia O’Day All You Need MusicStephanie Dunbar City of BrockvilleSue Higgins North Grenville Public LibrarySunita Gupta Kingston Local Immigration PartnershipSusie Pettifer Youth Job ConnectionTara Kelly Employment + Education CentreTeresa Shevchenko KEYS Job CentreTony Komery NewcomerTrudy Kennell Community MemberTyrell Haye Youth Job ConnectionWendy MacLean Christ United ChurchWendy Onstein Leeds Grenville Small Business Enterprise Centre

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A P P E N D I X B :

F A C I L I T A T O R B I O G R A P H Y

A P P E N D I X C :

K E Y N O T E S P E A K E R B I O G R A P H Y

Hindia Mohamoud is the Director of the Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership. She has

close to twenty years of experience with building community solutions through research,

partnership development, and program design. She is currently the Director of the Ottawa

Local Immigration Partnership, where she is responsible for facilitating the establishment

and implementation of a community-wide vision and strategy for improving the settlement

and integration of immigrants in Ottawa. Previously, she worked as the Director of

Research at the Social Planning Council and as a Director of Impact and Investment at

United Way/Centraide Ottawa. Hindia’s academic background is varied, she holds a

Master’s degree in economics from the University of Ottawa and various diplomas in

business, management, technology, and communication. She is also fluent in four

international languages, including both official languages. Hindia is widely engaged with

local social development process and activities. For example, she is a member of the City

for all Women’s Initiative (CAWI) and a regular volunteer at a local food bank.

Elizabeth Green is a management consultant and facilitator, working with public and non-

profit organizations to help them to problem solve and plan for success. She has facilitated

events for organizations including community-based non-profits, community health centres

(CHCs), government ministries, international NGOS, software companies, and national arts

coalitions. She offers consulting services including strategic planning, program evaluation,

organizational reviews, fund development, community needs assessments, human

resources and risk management policy development, and more. Elizabeth has a Master's

Degree in Comparative, International and Development Education from OISE at the

University of Toronto.

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