March 26, 2011

BUILDING BRIDGES WITH ETHNO-CULTURAL COMMUNITIES

(BBEC) PROJECT

Funding provided by:

Working with Ethno-Cultural Communities, Connecting Newcomers

Community Forum Summary Report

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Contents

Introduction

Roles of Ethno-cultural Organizations and Service Provider Organizations

Unique Strengths of Ethno-cultural Organizations and Service Provider Organizations

Challenges and Gaps in Newcomer Services

Priorities for Future Action

Conclusion

Participants in Action (Photos)

Appendices

1 Community Forum Agenda

2 Community Forum Facilitators

3 Community Forum Participants

4 Feedback from Participants

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Introduction

The Ethno-Cultural Council of Calgary organized the Community Forum through its Building

Bridges with Ethno-cultural Communities (BBEC) Project. The Forum aimed to strengthen

collaboration between ethno-cultural communities, immigrant serving agencies and other service

providers to effectively support more newcomers in their settlement and integration. BBEC

funding is provided by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

The Forum brought together members of ethno-cultural communities, immigrant serving

agencies and service providers, as well as newcomers, to deliberate about new and effective

ways of collaboration. This report summarizes the results of these discussions. It is divided into

four main sections:

Roles of ethno-cultural organizations and service providers

Unique strengths of ethno-cultural organizations and service providers

Challenges and gaps in newcomers services

Priorities for future action

Roles of Ethno-cultural Organizations and Service Provider Organizations

Members of ethno-cultural organizations (ECOs) provide a mix of formal and informal services

to newcomers, extending help on flexible hours almost on a 24/7 basis, mainly from their own

homes. They also do this with a personal touch, often providing emotional support and housing,

and accompanying newcomers to services as they adjust to life in Canada. As the first point of

contact for many newcomers, ECOs provide information to newcomers before they arrive and

soon after they arrive in Calgary. The ECO members are perceived as resource persons by the

newcomers who could make their transition easier due to their shared language, culture,

traditions and especially because they have connections to ethno-specific resources and in-depth

knowledge of their ethno-cultural community.

Service provider organizations (SPOs) provide structured services and programs for the

newcomers during designated office hours, through their office space and other program sites in

the community. The SPOs that have culturally competent counselors are able to build trust with

the community they are working with and address the needs of the newcomers more effectively.

There is easy accessibility to the SPOs’ services because of their convenient location (as they

have wider geographical coverage). The resources of the SPOs include ESL classes, computer

training, job search strategies, bridging programs and mentorship programs.

The ECOs and SPOs support newcomers in their own unique ways in the following areas:

• Reception

• Knowing and identifying the needs and strengths

• Basic Needs (food, housing, clothing)

• Interpretation, Translation, Language Training

• Referrals to services and resources

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• Orientation to life in Canada

• Orientation about various systems (health, education, employment, etc.)

• Assistance in navigating the systems ( guiding them through)

• Transportation

• Jobs/Employment/Skills

• Mentorship, advice

• Education and Upgrading

• Health

• Connecting to networks – introducing them to others, new connections, reduce their

isolation

• Increasing public awareness of newcomer contributions

• Speaking on newcomer issues

• Leadership development and training of newcomers

• Family support and integration

• Emotional and social support

• Civic engagement and Volunteering

• Cultural Adjustment

• Policy Areas

•

Unique Strengths of Ethno-cultural Organizations and Service Provider

Organizations

The ECOs and the SPOs have their own unique resources and approaches assisting with

settlement and integration of newcomers.

These are summarized below:

Ethno-cultural Organizations Service Providers

• Often the first point of contact

• Provide services from their own homes

and using their personal resources on

flexible hours, 24/7

• Mix of formal and informal services,

aaccompanying newcomers to services

and programs

• Community accountability, a few with

liability insurance

• Mainly community volunteer-based,

some ECOs have professional paid staff

• Able to mobilize and connect to ethno-

cultural community resources

• Have first language and ethno-cultural

context

• Strongly ethno-specific

• Conduct client intake

• Designated office hours (8:30am to

4:30pm, limited weeknights and

weekends for specific services)

• Office based

• Formal, structured programs & services

• Formal organizational accountability

and liability

• Professional paid staff

• Formal resources and referral to other

resources

• Able to provide formal translation

services, facilitate cross-cultural

programs

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The SPOs’ outreach to newcomers from certain ethno-cultural communities has not been easy as

there were limited opportunities to meet and build network with community members. These

community members are an important source of connections and referrals for newcomers. They

are an effective source of information for newcomers regarding programs, services and events

that facilitate settlement and integration of newcomers.

Challenges and Gaps in Newcomer Services Gaps and issues were identified in the different capacities in which the ECOs and the SPOs

support the newcomers. These include:

• Stigma of being a visible minority and experience of racial discrimination incidents in the

workplace, public transit, schools, health, police, food stores and other places

• Lack of integrated information about resources and programs available for newcomers

(e.g. one place to go to get information, directory of resources)

• Lack of or difficulty accessing support services beyond designated office hours when

newcomers face an emergency

• Financial problems and poverty issues within the newcomer population

• Lack of recognition of international work experience and credentials

• Lack of services for newcomers with low literacy level

• Lack of support during times when newcomers experience depression, mental health

issues and stress

• Lack of culturally appropriate support services for newcomers facing family issues such

as domestic violence, bullying and youth isolation

• The need for resources and courses that help newcomers understand and learn civic rights

and responsibilities

• The need for increased role of ethno-cultural organizations in policy work

• The need to increase awareness of special needs within the newcomer communities

Priorities for Future Action

The concerted efforts of the ECOs and the SPOs are essential in helping newcomers settle and

integrate. Forum participants agreed that it is very important to harness the strengths of both the

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ECOs and SPOs as they perform their unique roles and as they work more closely together.

Forum participants recommended strategies to address the challenges and gaps in newcomer

programs and services. These recommendations are divided into 3 themes as follows

Share Information in an Integrated Way

• Create an integrated database of SPO and ECO profile and services

• Database of ethno-cultural professional organizations and networks

• Information on networks and how to establish referral system to networks

• Making a common directory accessible electronically

• Sharing information about employers seeking for applicants

• Identifying and accessing key contacts and informants in ethno-cultural communities

• Developing and accessing updated information on new programs, community events,

opportunities

• Information about funders and funding opportunities

• Sharing of newsletters

Help Build the Capacity of Ethno-cultural Communities to Better Serve Newcomers

• Make settlement training and conferences available to ECOs to further improve their

ability to help newcomers

• Expand the boundaries for funding to ethno-cultural communities and to programs that

promote collaboration

• Help enrich services provided by ECOs

• Generate support from ECOs for first language supports not covered by SPOs

• Connect ECOs to funders and funding opportunities

Work Together more Effectively

• Work on an integrated and sustained continuum of supports for newcomers; example,

collaborate in preparing newcomers for work, or jointly monitor settlement process

• Address competition through increase cooperation between ECOs and SPOs by inviting

each other to activities, and through visits, joint discussions, and regular communication

• Increased understanding of unique roles of ECOs and SPOs

• Enrich SPO services by working with ECOs

• Work together on building a better society through increased civic participation of

newcomers and ethno-cultural community members

• Work together with other stakeholders to enhance newcomer settlement programs,

policies and services

• Develop partnerships that include government, business, and other stakeholders

• Develop collaborative working relationships – e.g. jointly organize forums, resource

fairs, conferences for both organizations

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Conclusion

By the end of the forum, the participants have made connections to the four workshop themes -

how the unique roles of the ethno-cultural organizations play an important part in helping

newcomers settle and integrate, how the unique strengths of the two types of organizations can

complement each other, how to address the challenges and unmet needs of newcomers while

creating awareness of their potentials and contributions to society, and how effective

collaboration can pave the way towards settlement and integration of newcomers.

The forum renewed hopes of working together, supporting each other and complementing each

other’s strengths and unique roles. The ethno-cultural communities and the service providers said

that the forum “created inter-connectedness and built community relationships”. Participants also

recommended that it is “good to have another event where they can focus on creating solutions to

decrease the gaps”.

Small workshop groups presented their reports to the forum participants, after which a summary

was presented back to all participants. ECCC received full consensus that they would like to

participate in future community forums. Future forums will discuss Action Points around ways

of working together.

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IN ACTION

Participants….

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RESOURCE FAIR

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Appendix 1

Working with Ethno-cultural Communities,

Connecting Newcomers Community Forum and Community Fair

March 26, 2011, Saturday

Executive Royal Inn, 2828 - 23 Street NE, Calgary, Alberta

Objectives: To strengthen collaboration between ethno-cultural communities, immigrant serving

agencies and service providers to effectively support more newcomers in their settlement and

integration. This initiative is sponsored by Ethno-cultural Council of Calgary through its

Building Bridges with Ethno-cultural Communities project.

MORNING PROGRAM for the COMMUNITY FORUM

9:00– 9:15 Registration & Refreshments

9:15– 9:30 Welcome and Introductions, Marichu Antonio, Executive Director

9:30– 9:40 ECCC and BBEC Projects, Vic Lantion, Community Development

Coordinator

9:40– 9:50 Sociogram and Instructions

9:50– 10:50 Small Group Discussions, Cesar Cala

10:50– 11:05 Tea Break

11:05 – 11:50 Plenary Reports, Discussion, Synthesis, Cesar Cala & Marichu Antonio

11:50– 12:00pm Evaluation and Closing

12:00pm – 1:30pm LUNCH PROGRAM

Launch of TRIO Toolkit, Sheeba Vijayan, Multicultural Coordinator

3 TRIO Participants’ Sharing

Presentation of Certificate & Toolkit to TRIO Participants

AFTERNOON COMMUNITY FAIR

1:30– 4:30 Community groups and service providers set up information booths to

raise awareness about programs and services for newcomers and the

community.

Funding provided by:

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Appendix 2

Community Forum Session Facilitators

Facilitator

Cesar Cala

Breakout Sessions

Group 1

Facilitator: Marichu Antonio

Executive Director, ECCC

Group 2

Facilitator: Victorino Lantion

Community Development Coordinator, ECCC

Group 3

Facilitators: Lua Rout

Project Coordinator of E-CARD, ECCC

Tanvir Alam

Community Resource & Program Support, ECCC

Group 4

Facilitator: Sheeba Vijayan

Project Coordinator of Building Bridges with Ethno-cultural

Communities, ECCC

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Appendix 3

Community Forum participants were from the following:

Ethno-cultural Organizations

1) Sudanese Women’s Group

2) BABAE Council of Filipina-Canadian Women

3) Bor Community, United Sudanese-Canadian Enhancement Society

4) Sudanese Foundation for Aweil Children’s Health Centre

5) Nepalese Community Society of Calgary

6) Calgary Chinese Community Services Association

7) Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens’ Association

8) Canadian Latino Newspaper

9) Aga Khan Foundation

10) Calgary Vietnamese Youth Association

11) Calgary Hambastagy Cultural Association

12) Focus on Seniors

13) Alberta Rehabilitation Integration and Care Services

14) Action Committee for Black Affairs

15) Calgary Vietnamese Women’s Group

16) Arsii-Oromo Self-Help Association

17) Alberta Chinese Canadian Friendship Association

Immigrant Serving Agencies

1) Calgary Immigrant Educational Society

2) Calgary Catholic Immigration Society

3) Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association

4) Immigrant Services Calgary

Service Providers

1) Alberta Health Services

Public Health, Alberta Health Services - Calgary Zone, East Calgary Health Centre

2) Calgary Public Library

3) Immigrant Sector Council of Calgary

4) University of Calgary

5) Safeway Canada

6) Ethno-Cultural Council of Calgary

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Appendix 4

Feedback from Participants “ECCC job well done job. Keep it up like this! We are with you anytime, anywhere. Good experience to learn.” “Resource fair was great! Forum- more time needed for strategies.” “It was great! I look forward to the next one in November!” “I’m really eager to see how ECO’s and SPO’s can collaborate in civic participation!” “The forum was great and the workshop was an eye opener.” “Very useful.” “It has been a great event. I learned about the importance of connecting with other organizations, such as, cross cultural parenting programs. I wish for more of this to come. Thanks.” “ECCC- all communities get a lot of fundamental ideas concerning the equality of leadership and capacities. Thanks a lot!” “The forum and fair was great. I would like to see more focus on action plans and next steps- not just gathering of information and ideas. The contributions are valuable and important and yet more working groups and commitment to move forward is needed. Thank you for the opportunity.” “There are so many service providers in Calgary with overlapped services. It would be better if they work together to share resources and database.” “Congratulations on this great event. ECCC has tried to bring together the ECO’s and SPO’s. I hope to bring my community in the next such event to get connected and work in collaboration with the SPO’s.” “Very informative. Job well done! It opened my eyes to know a lot of things…to build and extend help to others goes a long way!” “Trade show was great! Lots of interested community members. Please keep the U of C in mind for future events!” – Katie, University of Calgary “We really think the event was very successful. We like the way you set up the tables. It’s a great way for people to make contacts and promote themselves! P.S We really enjoyed the food! ” -CCCSA “Thank you ECCC for giving us this opportunity to meet with Ethno-cultural communities. This was excellent and if we can have it more often would even be better. Go ECCC go!” “Thanks to the Ethno-Cultural Council of Calgary for holding this event. This was an excellent event. This is a well needed event. However, Ethno-Cultural Council needs a directory (a data

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base) in order to link the new immigrant and the minority group together to get the job done. That’s how we build bridges in our community. Thanks again.” –Shirley Ricketts “The same experience that people share have a power” “Suggestion: Have a fair from time to time. It is fun….Also, more community members should attend. Thanks!” “Follow up with BROKERS to become agents of change in their communities and make a website attached to ECCC for RESULT” “Great events. I had a chance to meet and learn about other SPO’s and ECO’s and their programs and services.” “Great discussion and a good opportunity to learn about the different organizations. Well done!” - CIWA “An excellent forum in bringing together and collaborating on common issues with immigrant serving agencies.” “This event was informative. I liked the relaxed atmosphere. I thought the focus group was well organized. Although I think that similar outcomes derived by individual focus groups should be shared with everyone at the plenary. I was pleased with the overall consensus about the need for SPOs and ECOs need to cooperate and if this happens, each organization will realize greater success and that the needs of the immigrants will be served well. Well organized. Overall- I would rate this event successful.” “This is a great opportunity for both community leaders and service providers to meet and build working relationships. I found a lot of good contacts to further our collaboration. Thanks for making this event a success.” – Yvonne Hau, Alberta Health Services “Good way to talk about collaboration between ECO’s and SPO’s. Facilitation and organization is excellent.” “Great event! Our group was able to connect with other community members and leaders. Find some professional resource people for our monthly meeting. Two group members were able to find connections with other groups and get answers for some of their important questions, helping them in their settlement.” “This workshop is very helpful and I hope all Ethno-cultural communities join hands. We will be able to capture the government attention to voice our needs as young immigrants. Please continue doing this and thank you.” –John, Bor Community “Thank you ECCC for bringing ECO’s and SPO’s together to identify gaps and brain storm solutions.”