Immigrant Services Calgary Everyone has a story, what’s yours? Are you caring, trustworthy, organized or impulsive? Annual Report Are you critical, faithful, decisive or impartial? When you look within yourself, what do you see? 2009 – 2010 confidence? optimism? pessimism? Are you courageous or afraid, social or independent, warm-hearted or cold-blooded? What makes you unique? Are you timid or tenacious? Are you sensitive? sincere? stubborn? Are you loving? loyal? lonely? Who are you? Where do you come from? What has life taught you?
what makes you, you? Lyn Pflueger Immigrants of Distinction Arts and Culture Recipient 2009, Immigrant Services Calgary. Bani Turkmani Immigrants of Distinction Youth Scholarship Recipient 2009, Immigrant Services Calgary. Radhika Upendran Finance Director, Immigrant Services Calgary. Eric Chu IT Network Technician, Immigrant Services Calgary. Shayna Ding Immigrants of Distinction Youth Scholarship Recipient 2010, Immigrant Services Calgary. Mark Corbett Preschool Volunteer, Mosaic Family Resource Centre, Immigrant Services Calgary. Nyial Majock Immigrants of Distinction Youth Scholarship Recipient 2008, Immigrant Services Calgary. Peter Wong Founder, Immigrants of Distinction Awards, Immigrant Services Calgary. Sanja Giron Receptionist, Immigrant Services Calgary. Ali Ehsani Mosaic Youth Inclusive Neighborhoods Program Beneficiary, Immigrant Services Calgary. Dr. Tadeusz Dabrowski Immigrants of Distinction, Distinguished Professional Award Recipient 2009, Immigrant Services Calgary. Bea Twumasi Immigrants of Distinction Business Recipient 2010, Immigrant Services Calgary. Monir Youssef Immigrants of Distinction Awards Volunteer, Immigrant Services Calgary. Magdalena Czyz Staff Settlement/Integration Counsellor, Immigrant Services Calgary. Annie Zheung Immigrants of Distinction Youth Scholarship Recipient 2010, Immigrant Services Calgary. Donald Wall Income Tax/Employment Volunteer, Immigrant Services Calgary. Pakiza Basharat Volunteer, Immigrant Services Calgary. Shiraz Amiry ILVARC Counselling Team Leader, Immigrant Services Calgary.
We are dedicated. We are committed. We are hopeful. We are giving of our time, our energy and our resources. We are partners, donors and helpers. We are children, seniors and clients. We are staff and volunteers. We are one voice that speaks for thousands. We are immigrants. We are Calgarians. We care for, support and reach out to our community. Our story is their stories. We are Immigrant Services Calgary. Table of Contents
2 History
4 Supporters
5 Agency Highlights
6 Report from the Board Chair
7 Report from the CEO
8 Settlement and Language Bank Centre
10 Immigrant Language and Vocational Assessment-Referral Centre (ILVARC)
12 Changing Face of Canada
14 Mosaic Family Resource Centre
16 Supporting the unique needs of Newcomers
18 Integrated Approach
19 Immigrants of Distinction Awards
20 Our Volunteers
21 Thank You
21 Board of Directors Vision
The immigrants and refugees who walk through our doors every day are incredible Immigrants and their families will have individuals enriching Canada with their diverse backgrounds, experiences and talents.
In every conversation that we have with a equal opportunity to participate fully in newcomer, we are reminded that we live in a prosperous and beautiful country where opportunities are unparalleled. By providing services in more than 70 languages and a an open, inclusive Canadian society. supportive environment to ask questions and find answers in, we are helping newcomers access these opportunities.
Mission
Immigrant Services Calgary is one of Alberta’s longest serving and most comprehensive settlement agencies. Under Immigrant Services Calgary is dedicated the name of Calgary Immigrant Aid Society, the agency was established in 1977 to work with immigrants and refugees making to ensuring that immigrants and their Calgary their home. As the agency has grown over the years, the spirit of Immigrant Services Calgary has continued to remain the same. families have the opportunity to become Recognizing that immigrants and refugees bring unique strengths and benefits to the Calgary community, Immigrant Services full participants, both as beneficiaries Calgary believes that through guidance and encouragement, equality and inclusion, immigrants and refugees become important members and and contributors, in Canadian society. contributors to the Calgary community.
Values
Settling in Canada, finding employment, accessing language training, sending children to Canadian schools, becoming Immigrant Services Calgary is a part of the Calgary community – each of these tasks is riddled with complex questions for immigrants and refugees committed to the values of equality, arriving in Canada. We share in the process of making connections because we recognize that both immigrants and the Calgary community inclusion, diversity and accountability. become richer through and because of the experience.
to add your voice, time or resources, please visit immigrantservicescalgary.ca 1 Immigrant Services Calgary is one of Alberta’s longest serving and most comprehensive settlement agencies. Over our 33 story-filled years, we have been providing programs and services to newcomers in Calgary. rvices Calgary e S I T T provincial government. P support of the Federal Government.the CitizenshipImmigrant Services Program. Calgary begins offering I the United Way of Calgary and Area. Society is established as the first settlement agency in Calgary. 5 interagency meeting of more thanto 30assist community refugees. groups Immigrant working Servicestotogether meet serviceCalgary demands.grows to four full-time staff T is established. R family programming.
0,000 refugees arrive in Calgary. Immigrant Services Calgary leads an esearch into immigrant family resettlement leads the agency to begin providing mmigrant Services Calgary, under the name of the Calgary Immigrant Aid wo staff begin providing full-time services to immigrants arriving in Calgary. mmigrant Services Calgary receives the Agency of the Year award from
he Immigrant Language Vocational Assessment Referral Centre (ILVARC)
ublic education and outreach by the agency continues to increase through the
he Settlement Program begins receiving funding from the
m I migrant 1977 – 2010 1977 1978 1979 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986
2 immigrant services calgary annual report 2009-2010 I mmigrant Services Calgary
History
We have never stopped changing and adapting, working with our funders and the community to deliver programs and services that best fit the needs of our beneficiaries. We’re proud of our history and of our continued growth. T agency’s Board of Directors. C newcomers in overcoming challenges to participating in the workforce. T and collective needs of the family as they make Calgary their home. T contributions that immigrants make to the Calgary community. T a framework for accessible and equitable health care. I Spirits of Gold Diversity Award. I Calgary community. I Immigrant Services Calgary beginsWorkers providing to meet services the unique to Temporaryneeds of Foreign this population. I F Youth Inclusive Neighborhoods and After School Programs to commence.
unding from the Provincial Government and the City of Calgary enables the mmigrant Services Calgary celebrates 30 years of working in the mmigrant Services Calgary welcomes the new Chief Executive Officer.
areer bridging services begin to be provided by the agency to assist
he Immigrants of Distinction Awards is launched to recognize the important he Calgary Multicultural Healthcare initiative is launched to develop mmigrant Services Calgary receives the United Way of Calgary and Area’s
he Mosaic Family Resource Centre is established to meet the individual
he Carver model of governance is officially adopted by the
mmigrant Services Calgary launches new website.
1993 1994 1997 1998 2002 2003 2007 2008 2009 2010
to add your voice, time or resources, please visit immigrantservicescalgary.ca 3 Thank you for being an important contributor to our vision. Working together by providing financial support to us in the year 2009 – 2010 totaling over $7,506,137.00, you help us to provide support to new immigrants, refugees and temporary foreign workers and their families as they begin the journey to make Canada their home.
I mmigrant Services Calgary
Thank You
Citizenship and Immigration Canada Alberta Employment and Immigration United Way of Calgary and Area Public Health Agency of Canada Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Authority City of Calgary (FCSS) Alberta Justice Others Immigrants of Distinction Awards Fundraising and Casino Service Canada Status of Women Canada Alberta Advanced Education and Technology TD Canada Trust Calgary Learns Nexen Inc. The Calgary Foundation Alberta Lottery Board
4 immigrant services calgary annual report 2009-2010 The efforts and successes of the past year have added to our established history of care and compassion. We look forward to building on these accomplishments in the future.
I mmigrant Services Calgary
Agency Highlights
Volunteers 585
Countries of Origin of Beneficiaries 159
Languages Spoken by Beneficiaries 135
Total Beneficiaries Served 20,401
Languages Spoken by Staff and Volunteers 86
Volunteer Hours 24,183
Workshops for Beneficiaries 406
to add your voice, time or resources, please visit immigrantservicescalgary.ca 5 During the year 2009 – 2010, Immigrant Services Calgary showed that when we face challenges united we can succeed and grow.
R eport from the Board
R.W. (Bob) Robinson
Ph.D, R. Psych. The work we do at Immigrant Services to that success is ensuring that newcomers to action in partnership with our dedicated Chair, Board of Directors Calgary is both important and far reaching. have the resources and information they staff and exceptional volunteer corp. Immigrant Services Calgary We know that by 2031, Statistics Canada need to truly make Canada their home. After a two year stint as Board Chair I am has predicted that one in four Canadians transitioning to the role of Past Chair. I will Despite the recession that affected Immigrant Services Calgary provides the will be foreign born. We are prepared to look back with pride and appreciation to my Calgary, Canada and the world, stepping stones to success for newcomers, meet the challenge, to continue with our Board colleagues for providing the guidance Immigrant Services Calgary diversified from successful settlement to assistance mission of ensuring that newcomers have and stewardship that has nurtured the programming, grew our client base as they search for employment and a the tools and support they need to become growth of our agency. And I will look forward and continued to provide valuable and place to call home. We have carefully full participants, both as beneficiaries and to bright times for the new Canadians, their necessary services to newcomers around cultivated programs that help immigrants, contributors, in Canadian society. families and the communities we serve. Calgary. Our programs and services refugees and temporary foreign workers reached an evermore wide ranging In the past year the world has experienced in the often complicated transition from clientele, and we saw a significant some very imposing hardships in addition their previous communities to ours, and increase in both the number of volunteers to the major recession now affecting most now theirs, too. Our extensive range of and the number of hours they dedicated countries. The powerful earthquakes in Haiti programs empowers us to continue working to the agency. and Chile were tragedies made all the more together with an ever-increasing number of poignant by the very personal impact they newcomers. From settlement assistance to had on our citizens who once called those language assessments and referrals, career countries home. These disasters were truly and education planning to mentorship terrible, but the aftermath demonstrated opportunities and specialized programming the solidarity of Canadians when faced for children, youth, adults and seniors, our with such daunting circumstances. I was programs are constantly evolving to meet truly impressed with the outpouring of the specific needs of our clients. resources, goodwill and help in the face of Thank you to our funders and supporters such tragedy, and with the way that Canada who make the important services and responded collectively to provide support. programs we offer at Immigrant Services The multicultural mosaic that defines Calgary possible. Canada is growing and evolving, and it is On a personal note, I wanted to thank Din our mission to make the future a bright Ladak, our outstanding CEO, for the energy one. The Canada we envision is one where and vision he brings to the leadership people can cultivate their diverse identities, of Immigrant Services Calgary, and I learn from each other and support each equally wish to acknowledge the Senior other in a multicultural future. The first step Management Team who translate that vision
6 immigrant services calgary annual report 2009-2010 Growth and accomplishment in the face of adversity are two characteristics among many that describe Immigrant Services Calgary.
R eport from the CEO
Din Ladak
B.Sc., BSW, MSW The face of Canada is changing and we are Project’s greatest achievements was the and give us much confidence about the Chief Executive Officer excited! Our vision of a diverse and pluralistic youth driven Racism and Human Rights leadership they will offer future generations. Immigrant Services Calgary Canadian community was confirmed with Awareness Conference, the first of its It has been over two years since I started a new report from Statistics Canada that kind in Calgary. The conference was met O ur aim has been to foster identity and with Immigrant Services Calgary, and I predicts big changes in the next twenty with great success and earned unanimous dignity, as well as a sense of community and continue to be astounded by the vision years. In Calgary alone, the number of commendation from youth participants, field a singularity of purpose in an organization as and dedication committed to the agency citizens born outside of Canada is expected experts as well as government partners diverse as Immigrant Services Calgary. The by our stakeholders. By embracing the to rise from 24% in 2006 to 30% in 2031. and community leaders. The Multicultural agency has continued to excel in providing increasing plurality of Canada, we all have Accordingly, we are planning strategically for Youth Action Project educated more programs and services to newcomers in and the opportunity to learn from each other, our growth, not just for the present, but for than 80 immigrant and refugee youth around Calgary. Thanks to the generosity of to grow and enrich our society. When I the future. How can we best help Canada’s between the ages of 13 and 19 about funders and donors; our dedicated and hard walk down the halls of the agency, I see future citizens become full participants in civic engagement and volunteerism, working staff and volunteers have spurred evidence of the changing face of Calgary Canadian society? How can we help them motivating them to contribute to Canadian innovation and reached many under-served and of Canada in the smiles of the people maintain their identity and dignity? In the society and promote positive social change communities. The scope and scale of our we serve. We have a colourful future that 2009 – 2010 year, we have helped to through action projects that benefited the agency has widened in response to need: we are building step by step, and it is our further this goal by working with the leaders Calgary community. The Mosaic After we have added new programs, increased goal to ensure that all new Canadians of tomorrow, immigrant youth: youth who School Program that was initiated in 2009 our staff and experienced growth in the achieve success, inclusion, respect and have modeled their utmost leadership in reached children from 6 to 12 years of number of people we serve. We have civic participation. It is with the hard work of helping to create a better world. age. Through homework help, outdoor delivered successful outcomes. These everyone involved with Immigrant Services recreation, art and drama activities, life achievements serve to showcase the One of our biggest accomplishments Calgary that we can make this vision a skills education, leadership development importance of the services we provide, over the course of this year has been the reality, a Calgary where everyone can let and field trips, the Mosaic After School and the growing support we are receiving development and introduction of several their true colours shine. Thank you to Program provided a valuable link between from the community. We are witness to the outstanding programs that empower today’s our volunteers, staff, Board of Directors, family, school and community with a long- success of our efforts to build a Calgary that immigrant youth to take a strong lead in funding partners, supporters and most of term goal of helping children between the is accessible and inclusive for immigrants. building a new community, a new city, all to the people we serve at the agency. ages of become successful and active and a new Canada. The Youth Inclusive We have remained one, at a time when it community contributors. Neighborhoods Program was introduced mattered most. to engage marginalized immigrant youth On March 19th, at the 14th Annual Your support helps us succeed. between the ages of 13 and 16. The Immigrants of Distinction Awards, we program offers mentorship, sports, after honoured five truly exceptional immigrant school activities and the chance to build youth, who have also been profiled valuable life skills. On another note, one in these pages. Their vast and stellar of the Anti-Racism and Human Rights accomplishments are second to none
to add your voice, time or resources, please visit immigrantservicescalgary.ca 7 The Settlement and Language Bank Centre assists new immigrants and refugees to successfully settle in Calgary and integrate into Canadian society.
I mmigrant Services Calgary
Settlement and Language Bank Centre
In the year 2009 – 2010, the Settlement We were able to offer employment bridging The Temporary Foreign Worker engage in fun and educational activities. and Language Bank Centre continued to services for the first time in the past fiscal Settlement Pilot Project has completed its The goal of MYAP was to educate youth provide a comprehensive array of services year. A unique feature of this service is second year of service helping temporary about civic engagement, provide an to help new immigrants make Calgary to provide new immigrant job seekers foreign workers settle into a fulfilling and enabling environment to identify and their home. Few Calgarians could escape with meaningful connections to Calgary productive life in Calgary. Temporary foreign address systemic barriers in the community, the debilitating effects of the deepening employers. Over 100 employer connections workers obtained a wide range of services and motivate them to contribute to Canadian world recession in 2009. The downturn in were made, including the establishment and in their first language, from information society. The MYAP successfully reached the economy has impacted the livelihood continuing expansion of new collaborative on Labour Market Opinions, entry visas over 50 newcomer youth in the reporting of new immigrants more severely than partnerships with Corporate Calgary. and work permits to getting advice on period, and had a group of 10 mentors who the mainstream population. Faced with a immigration matters to receiving supportive also served as inspiring role models with Building stronger community relations diminished and challenging job market and counseling concerning the handling of positive values and lifestyle. The highlight remained one of our top priorities in the limited personal resources, newcomers lay-offs and violations of employment for the year was the Kick-Off Event at the past year. We adopted a “walk into the turned to Immigrant Services Calgary in standards. A total of 515 clients were Kahanoff Centre, which was attended by community” strategy to bring our services record numbers. Our staff and volunteers served in the year 2009 – 2010. dignitaries from the political and business to the doorstep of under-served clients: responded to the challenge and met the sectors as well as community partners Our Connecting Immigrant Seniors overwhelming demand with a positive • A notable achievement was the and the media. Project completed its second year of attitude and professional services. establishment of a new partnership with services to immigrant seniors. Highlights Our Anti-Racism and Human Rights the Calgary Housing Company to have The Language Bank provided newcomers for the year included a variety of workshops Outreach Project focused on human Immigrant Services Calgary settlement with access to affordable certified translation pertaining to health, well-being, and social rights and racism awareness, and on counselors onsite to provide services to and interpretation services in over and life skills. The unique characteristics the prevention and reduction of racism the residents, especially the house-bound 86 languages. The dedicated staff and of the program included life skills classes and human rights violations. The project women in the housing compound volunteers worked hard to provide certified where immigrant seniors learned and reached newcomers as well as immigrant- • We are working with the Calgary Public translations of documents like birth obtained practical skills useful for everyday serving and ethno-cultural organizations Library to provide citizenship classes and certificates which helped our beneficiaries living, as well as leadership development, in the greater Calgary community. These various workshops for immigrants and with their transitions into Canadian life and the where seniors were given opportunities characteristics gave the project a holistic newcomers in the community. Canadian job market. Interpretation services to facilitate classes and mentor other nature and enhanced its effectiveness in helped newcomers overcome language • We actively contributed to the Immigrant immigrant seniors. In the past year, the reducing racism and human rights violations barriers when accessing government and Connections at Service Canada, the program served more than 200 seniors from in Calgary. One of the project’s achievements community services in Canada. first ever immigrant resource fair held at diverse ethno-cultural backgrounds. was helping to facilitate and organize a youth Marlborough Mall, where local residents driven racism and Human Rights Awareness Settlement counselors provide services to The Multicultural Youth Action Project were able to learn about immigrant-serving Conference, the first of its kind in Calgary. newcomers in their first language.S ettlement (MYAP) targeted immigrant and refugee agencies in Calgary and gather information The conference was very successful and services include information, orientation, youth between the ages of 13 and 19, on settlement and integration services in was highly praised by youth participants, referrals, advocacy, and workshops. bringing them together every weekend to one convenient strategic location. government partners and community leaders.
8 immigrant services calgary annual report 2009-2010 S ettlement Services L anguage Bank Services L eading Countries of Origin (%) Beneficiaries Served by Settlement Services 2005 – 2010
New and returning beneficiaries served Languages spoken by clients China Iran 2005 – 2006 8% growth 4,492 42 23 3 3,041
Number of settlement services provided Number of translations Colombia Russia 2006 – 2007 12% growth (including one-on-one meetings and workshops) 10 3 28,196 1,304 3,417
Number of interpretations Ethiopia Sudan 2007 – 2008 5% growth Countries of origin 5 3 134 604 3,586 India Afghanistan 2008 – 2009 14% growth Languages spoken by clients 5 2.5 112 4,086 Pakistan Eritrea 2009 – 2010 10% growth 5 2 4,492
to add your voice, time or resources, please visit immigrantservicescalgary.ca 9 ILVARC provides one-stop comprehensive English assessment and referral services for immigrants and refugees in Calgary.
I mmigrant Services Calgary
Immigrant Language and Vocational Assessment- Referral Centre (ILVARC)
The Centre assesses eligibility for During the 2009 – 2010 fiscal year, both assessment instruments. The counseling services for the federally sponsored assessment and counseling service streams and assessment teams attended other Language Instruction for Newcomers experienced a very high demand for services professional development opportunities to Canada (LINC) program, refers which was impacted by various factors. in assessment and career development. individuals to language training The most predominant factors were the ILVARC continued enhancing the profile opportunities, and helps them further downturn in the Canadian economy as of Immigrant Services Calgary within the their educational, vocational and career well as an increased demand for particular community on a local and national scale by aspirations. The Centre links beneficiaries assessments from service providers, which the active involvement in various community to different training opportunities, as resulted in longer waiting lists. ILVARC’s events and meetings. well as to a variety of other services dedicated staff are beneficiary centred such as settlement, employment related and are committed to high standards of programs and services and financial practice and continuous quality improvement. resources. To address the wide range Challenges are addressed on an ongoing of needs identified by beneficiaries, basis and efficient client prescreening, intake ILVARC collaborates with relevant service and service provision as well as offering providers in the community and is guided temporary extended hours of operation by the Advisory Committee. remain a hallmark of ILVARC.
ILVARC’s increased human resource capacity helped us address the waiting list and provide timely access to needed programs and services. This included additional assessment and counseling services. As a result of these vigilant measures and strategies as well as the expended resources, the waiting time for appointments has been reduced substantially. ILVARC continued its commitment to staff professional development. To ensure the highest possible standards of service the assessment team members have undergone their full re-calibration in two
10 immigrant services calgary annual report 2009-2010 ILVARC Services L eading Language Groups Clients Served and number of ILVARC Referrals served by ILVARC (%) Sessions by ILVARC 2005 – 2010 2009 – 2010
Assessments completed Spanish Amharic 2005 – 2006 Clients 2005 – 2006 Sessions Language training opportunities 7,989 13.8 4.8 7,506 12,499 25,761
Languages spoken by clients Mandarin Russian 2006 – 2007 Clients 2006 – 2007 Sessions Career and employability goals 135 10.3 4.1 8,166 14,158 6,731
Countries of origin Arabic Tagalog 2007 – 2008 Clients 2007 – 2008 Sessions Educational opportunities 159 8.8 3.8 9,371 15,919 4,420
Punjabi Vietnamese 2008 – 2009 Clients 2008 – 2009 Sessions Support services 6.9 3.0 10,234 16,621 18,990
Urdu Farsi 2009 – 2010 Clients 2009 – 2010 Sessions 5.7 2.9 12,304 20,693
to add your voice, time or resources, please visit immigrantservicescalgary.ca 11 We are always excited by the skills, ideas and identities that newcomers bring to Canada. A report by Statistics Canada released in 2010 predicted an inspiring future for Canada, for Calgary and for Immigrant Services Calgary. We value pluralism, and we are truly looking forward to the changing face of Canada.
I mmigrant Services Calgary
Changing Face of Canada
T he people we serve come from all over the world, and we expect that to continue. Every day, we get to meet and work with incredible people with global stories. The world is constantly changing, and so are the beneficiaries, programs and services at Immigrant Services Calgary. In 1980, the majority of the Immigrant Services Calgary beneficiaries came fromS outheast Asia and the Caribbean. By 1990, many Immigrant Services Calgary beneficiaries came from Eastern Europe, Latin America and China.
Over the last three decades, we have had the honour of helping individuals and families from all regions around the world make Calgary their home.
As Canada changes, so does Immigrant Services Calgary.
12 immigrant services calgary annual report 2009-2010 I ndividuals Born Outside of Canada C anadian Generational Diversity Canadian Population Diversity C anadian Population Diversity Population (Projection 2031) (Projection 2031) (Projection 2031) (Projection 2031) continued
Growth in Calgary’s population of visible minorities Persons who are born outside Canada Population of visible minorities Chinese population (compared to 1.3 million in 2006) 15 – 20% 25 – 28% 11.4 – 14.4 m 2.4 – 3.0 m
Calgary’s population of persons born outside Visible minorities Under 15 years population that Canada (from 24% in 2006) (compared to 54% in 2006) belong to a visible minority Canada’s fastest growing visible minority groups (between 2006 and 2031): 30% 71% 36% Arabs, West Asians
Arab population Calgary’s visible minority population Allophones Over 65 years population (compared to 276 thousand in 2006) (from 22% in 2006) (compared to 70% in 2006) that belong to a visible minority 38% 77% 18% 806 t – 1.1 m
West Asian population Canada’s population of persons born 15 and over population who are born outside Canadian persons whose mother tongue (compared to 164 thousand in 2006) outside Canada Canada or have at least one born outside is neither English nor French Canada parent (compared to 20% in 2006) 457 – 592 t 25 – 28% 46% 29% – 32%
Minority growth will largely be concentrated in cities. Canada’s largest visible minority groups: South Asians, Chinese
South Asian population (compared to 1.3 million in 2006) 3.2 – 4.1 m
Source: Statistics Canada, 2010 Projections of the Diversity of the Canadian Population, Catalogue No. 91-551-X, 2006 to 2031, pages 15 – 26, 27.
to add your voice, time or resources, please visit immigrantservicescalgary.ca 13 The Mosaic Family Resource Centre strives to help immigrant and refugee families develop connections with other families and to the community.
I mmigrant Services Calgary
Mosaic Family Resource Centre
Whether the challenge is education, In October 2009, the Mosaic Centre hosted The Mosaic Parents and Tots Program has range of services includes consultation with emotional and physical wellbeing, an open house to introduce the community introduced “Parent-Child Mother Goose” a nurse, nutritionist and social worker as well maintaining good nutrition, communicating to the Youth Inclusive Neighborhoods and “Baby Rhyme” program models to as educational workshops, breast feeding effectively with family members, or finding Program. The open house was attended by participating families. Both of these models support and coupons for milk and healthy fun and safe recreational activities in 104 people from social service agencies, involve parents and children playing and food for high-risk low income families. Calgary, the Mosaic Family Resource community organizations and schools. learning together. During the past year, The Mosaic Multicultural Men’s Centre acts as a network of tools, this program has provided parent-child A telephone call from an international oil Program served over 300 men through resources, and opportunities for families programming to 103 parents and children and gas company with a Calgary office that programming and individual counseling new to Canada. between the ages of 12 months and was hoping to sponsor a family over the sessions that support immigrant and thirty-six months. By supporting men, women, children and holiday season turned into a collaborative refugee men in addressing issues such as teens in navigating the challenges families opportunity. Through the generosity of This year, the Parent-Child Enhancement underemployment, family trauma, cultural encounter as newcomers, we promote donors, children and parents in the Mosaic Program branched out to provide adaptation and poverty. healthy families and connections to the Pre-School Program received gifts and programming to newcomer families with Family Literacy Programs delivered in larger Calgary community. grocery gift cards. A party with multicultural young children in two offsite locations in two community locations as well as at the food and games for everyone was attended addition to our two onsite programs. These During the past year, the Mosaic Family Mosaic Centre provide a foundation in by representatives from the company who programs served over 140 participants from Resource Centre has increased its scope health literacy, financial literacy and support dressed up as elves and helped to deliver 11 diverse communities of programming through collaborations for adult participants who are increasing the gifts to the happy recipients. and partnerships that provide a network The Multicultural Outreach Connections their conversational English. Children in of connections for program participants In December 2009 the Mosaic Family Program provides supportive counseling for this program participate in songs, games, and their families. Resource Centre hosted a facilitator families with young children who are facing and activities with their parents as well as training in “School’s Cool”, a program and extreme challenges and crisis. This program engage in play-based learning activities in assessment model for Early Childhood has assisted families in addressing issues the classroom. and Parent programs. All of our parent related to employment, life as a single Innovative and dynamic programs that and early childhood program staff received parent, poverty and parenting children with involve all family members are the heart certification in this model. challenging behavior. of the holistic service approach at the In March of 2010, the Mosaic After School Our In-Home Support Program provided Mosaic Centre. Whether it is in our licensed Program entered into a partnership with the over 1,000 hours of supportive counseling preschool program, pre- and post-natal Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre, and began to immigrant and refugee families in program, parent groups, literacy programs, offering the program at this location. This 2009 – 2010. supportive counseling, or the acclaimed program opened with a registration of Men’s Program, our goal is to provide Healthy Start Calgary provides pre and post 24 participants between the ages of 6 years support for the whole family. natal support for new Canadian parents. The and 12 years.
14 immigrant services calgary annual report 2009-2010 The Mosaic Family Resource Centre C urrent Mosaic Family Resource M osaic Family Resource Leading Countries served by provides programs and services for a Centre Programs Centre Highlights Mosaic Family Resource Centre (%) spectrum of family members that reaches from infants to grandparents. Parents and Tots Program Beneficiaries served China Mexico Mosaic Family Literacy Program Parent-Child Enhancement Program 2,634 24 3.1 Multicultural Outreach Connections Program Mosaic Pre-School Program Countries of origin India Ethiopia Multicultural Men’s Program 98 11.7 2.7 Youth Inclusive Neighbourhoods Program Mosaic Afterschool Program Workshops for clients Pakistan Iran Multicultural In-Home Support Program Mosaic Community-Based 267 9.3 2.6 Preschool Program Healthy Start Calgary Languages spoken by clients Colombia Philippines Mosaic Toy and Book Lending Library Mosaic Summer Literacy Program 79 6.8 2.2
Sudan Bangladesh 4.4 1.9
to add your voice, time or resources, please visit immigrantservicescalgary.ca 15 Through mentorship, volunteer activities, recreation and the participation of various community partners, Immigrant Services Calgary has worked with school- aged children, youth and professional women to assist them in successfully overcoming challenges and establishing their new homes in Canada.
I mmigrant Services Calgary
Supporting the unique needs of Newcomers
T he Integrated Women’s Mentorship Program, Mosaic After-School Program and Youth Inclusive Neighbourhoods Program have been valuable and successful examples of how communities can come together to build brighter futures.
16 immigrant services calgary annual report 2009-2010 Immigrant Services Calgary’s Integrated The Mosaic After-School Program The Youth Inclusive Neighbourhoods Women’s Mentorship Program reached provides critical hours programming for Program targets high-risk youth age new heights in the past year with the children 6 – 12 years between the hours of 13 – 16 years who are vulnerable to development of a new Resource Centre. The 3 pm – 6 pm when many children are out negative influences due to a variety of Integrated Women’s Mentorship Program of school for the day and without effective risk factors. In its first year, the program links established professional women with care. Currently, this program is operating has provided intervention and preventative new immigrant and refugee women. in three community locations in partnership programming to over 40 youth. The on- with the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre, site component of the program includes The Mentors assist them in overcoming Calgary Housing Company and Calgary working with individual youth to develop a barriers to employment and help them Learning Village Collaborative with a total of customized action plan and team building realize their full potential in Canada as 58 registered participants. through recreational activities. individuals and professionals.
Integrated Women’s Mosaic After-School Youth Inclusive Mentorship Program Program Neighbourhoods Program
The program began the year with active Many families lack the resources to provide Community partnerships are a vital participation in the formation and launch of their children with after-school activities component of this program. Our partnership the Calgary Region Immigrant Employment during these critical hours, yet what with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Calgary Council, an initiative dedicated to expanding children do during these hours can have matches participating youth with a mentor. and improving mentorship services for a significant impact on their long-term Through our partnership with Child and new immigrants in Calgary. Faced with academic and social development. Children Youth Friendly Calgary, youth are provided increasing demand, Immigrant Services are vulnerable to negative influences, with opportunities to become active in Calgary opened the first ever Resource and may benefit from specific programs volunteer projects that help to develop Centre in March 2010 to provide space designed to increase their social and leadership and community involvement. and resources for immigrant women and cultural integration. To meet these needs, A partnership with Hockey Calgary and their mentors. The Resource Centre boasts the Mosaic After-School Program provides Calgary Police Services received national a fully equipped computer lab as well as recreational activities that include live media attention and engaged youth in comprehensive job search and employment- drama, arts and crafts, music, cooking, teamwork and critical thinking skills related resources with program staff to offer outdoor activities and homework help. while they learned about Canada’s favorite help when required. The goals of the program are designed to sport; hockey. further the children’s self-esteem, social Mentors to the program receive mentorship engagement and success. In its first year training that includes topics such as cross- of operation, feedback from parents and cultural communication and employment community partners indicated that the barriers experienced by immigrants. This Mosaic after school program is providing training enhances their understanding of a valuable link between family, school issues facing immigrants, and they are able and community. to learn and meet people from different cultures and backgrounds, as well as strengthen and develop communication, coaching and leadership skills.
The program offers weekly workshops to discuss life and employment issues and mentorship support, which include 24 hours of mentoring over a four-month period on issues facing immigrant women in Canada. to add your voice, time or resources, please visit immigrantservicescalgary.ca 17 I mmigrant Services Calgary
Integrated Approach
Immigrant Services Calgary is one agency O ur Services Include: with many benefits. We aim to provide a diverse range of services that meet the varied and complex needs of newcomers establishing their homes in Canada. We Interpretation and Volunteer Opportunities understand the challenges of settling in Translation a new country, and our goal is to work First Language Support together with immigrants to help everyone Assessment of English realize the full potential of their new Mentorship Opportunities lives in Calgary. and Literacy Skills Parent Support Groups Our Settlement and Language Bank Citizenship Classes Centre, Immigrant Language and Youth Programs Vocational Assessment Referral Centre and Referrals Mosaic Family Resource Centre provide Pre-School comprehensive assistance for everything Community Development from orientation to assessment to family Family Literacy Programs guidance and counseling. Our commitment Career, Educational is to make the transition to Canada a comfortable one for all newcomers. and Vocational Planning Men’s Program Temporary Foreign Seniors’ Program Workers Assistance Advocacy Employment Workshops and Information Public Education Canadian School System Preparation Programs Pre- and Post-Natal Programs
18 immigrant services calgary annual report 2009-2010 At our annual gala, awards are presented to outstanding individuals and organizations that have positively impacted the Calgary community in the areas of Arts and Culture, Business, Community Service and Distinguished Professional.
I mmigrant Services Calgary
Immigrants of Distinction Awards
The Youth Scholarships highlight the achievements of immigrant and refugee youth. The Hadassah Ksienski Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated leadership, innovation, dedication and compassion in the area of immigrant services. Genevieve Balogun, who was posthumously granted the award, exemplified those exceptional qualities throughout her life.
The 14th annual Immigrants of Distinction Awards ceremony was followed by an international reception, the theme of which was “International Marketplace”.
Immigrant Services Calgary would like to offer our congratulations to the distinguished award and youth scholarship recipients. We would like to thank all of the nominees and finalists for helping make Calgary a world-class city. Special thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this event possible, and a big thank you to our selection committee volunteers!
2010 Award Recipients: Arts and Culture Ms. Karin Richter Business Ms. Bea Twumasi Community Service Ms. Idrees A. Khan Distinguished Professional Dr. Wael Badawy
Youth Scholarship Recipients Ms. Daria Tilimpea, Mr. Jethro Cheung, Ms. Malithi Fernando, Ms. Mei Mu Zi (Annie) Zheng, Ms. Shayna Ding to add your voice, time or resources, please visit immigrantservicescalgary.ca 19 The Volunteer Program saw many successes in the past year. The expansion of several programs and the achievements of many clients were made possible through the efforts of our generous volunteers.
I mmigrant Services Calgary
Our Volunteers
With the launch of the Multicultural Youth V olunteer Highlights Action Project, Immigrant Services Calgary enhanced outreach into the community and expanded services to immigrant youth in Calgary. Volunteers Our Employment Coaching capacity has 585 grown. Many individuals received resume and mock interview services. We paired Volunteer hours many of the individuals in the Employment Bridging program with Success Coaches. 24,183 These coaches provided them with real world, valuable and personal experiences. This service has changed the lives of many, and is also a very rewarding experience for the volunteers.
We would like to thank all 585 of our volunteers who consistently impress us with their hard work and dedication. The compassion and care that they bring to the agency never ceases to amaze us.
20 immigrant services calgary annual report 2009-2010 We would like to thank everyone who contributed financial and in-kind support to Immigrant Services Calgary in the 2009 – 2010 fiscal year. Your help makes our work possible.
I mmigrant Services Calgary I mmigrant Services Calgary
Thank You to Board of Directors our Supporters
Alberta Association for EnCana Cares Foundation Ric Kokovitch Dr. Bob W. Robinson – Chair Multicultural Education Environcon Management Ltd. Richard Gregg Mr. Tyler Charkie – Past-Chair Alberta Ballet Evolution Presentation Technology Robert Wong Dr. James S. Frideres – Vice-Chair Alicia Backman-Beharry FCSS Rocky Mountain Soap Company Mr. Hanif Kassam – Treasurer Royal Bank of Canada Andrea Bosnjak Foundry Ms. Alicia Backman-Beharry – Secretary Scotiabank Anonymous Girish Agrawal Ms. Josephine S.P. Pon – Member Anthony Tonkinson SeVen Restolounge Glenbow Museum Ms. Zahra Al-Harazi – Member Ashis and Swapna Gupta Great Wall Health Centre Inc. Shaw TV Calgary Mr. Philip James Behman – Member Bank of Montreal Harry & Martha Cohen Foundation Shell Canada Ltd. Ms. Andrea Bosnjak – Member Blair and Louise Harry and Maxine Boss Simon Bihon Mr. Raymond C.T. Cheung – Member Bob and Laurie Robinson Hayden and Bonnie Wong Siyue Shen Ms. Verica Gigic – Member Bonnie Wong Heather E. Burdeyney Southland Transportation Ltd. Brian Mayhew Henk E.D.J. Ter Keurs Prof. Corporation Stewart Scott Mr. Vance P.E. Langford – Member Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre Innovative Health Group Street Characters Inc. Calgary Folk Music Festival Jacquie Tomandl Swizzlesticks Salon and Spa Calgary Herald James S. Frideres Tannis P. Redekop Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Jamie Shape TD Bank Financial Group Calgary Police Service Jillian Quigley TD Canada Trust Calgary West Hospitality Inc. Joan Collen Krauss and Mark Krauss The 4th Street Business Revitalization Zone Canada Helps Donation Josephine S. Pon The Calgary Foundation Cargill Karin Webster The Print Shoppe Caron & Partners LLP Ken Youngsaye The Westin, Calgary Catheryn Nelson Lisa Asbreuk Tim Horton’s Foundation CBC - Chris Wong Manved Manget Tom Price Chris Wong Marcy Field Toole Peet and Company Ltd. Christine Wandzura Marsha Hang Trico Homes Christopher Davis Mayi Arcellana-Panlilio Twisted Goods CTV McElhanney Land Surveys Ltd. Tyler J. Charkie Culture and Community Spirit Multicultural Awareness Committee United Way of Calgary and Area D.L. Andras Murphy Oil Ltd. Vicki Kranenburg Delta Lodge at Kananaskis Nexen Inc. Virginia Middelberg Fund Din Ladak Paul Brown Western Union DIRTT Environmental Solutions Ltd. Peter Boland & Associates Inc. Wilhelmus VanBalkom Dr. Tadeusz Dabrowski Peter W. Wong Professional Corporation William Dingee E.J. Galatiuk Phil and Helga Bauer YAC Nyal Ellen Dungen Pierson’s Funeral Services Ltd. Yolanda Yu Emellie Quennell Rene Ouellette to add your voice, time or resources, please visit immigrantservicescalgary.ca 21 We would like to thank all our staff for their hard work and dedication. They have made a significant contribution in achieving the common goal of Immigrants Services Calgary: to help newcomers make Calgary their home.
I mmigrant Services Calgary
Our Staff
Alina Ghita-Visinescu Juan Wang Rita Bhattacharjee Alka Manmohan Julia Nikola Kasatkin Roberto Artiga Amy Devlin Jyoti Agnihotri Rubina Abid Aruna Devulapally Kanwaljeet Kaur Baidwan Rumeena Khan Ashley Tedham Katie Clancy Sanja Giron Bella Zeng Krystyna Biel Shao Wen Yang Biljana Tratnik Lan Dang Shiraz Amiry Carmen Yu Li Luo Simran Grewal Colin Clachrie Lina Orozco Sissi Zhang Courtney Roma Ling Tong Solomon Nega Daniel L. Love Long Kim Nguyen Stephanie Shulhan Danuta Krajewska Lorna E. Espanto Sunny Wang Debby Darlene Kowalchuk Mae Chun Taylor Chobotiuk Din Ladak Magdalena Czyz Thao Vu Emily Lee Margaryta Marion Vesna Petkovic Emily Sharpe Maria Fernanda Eljaik Vivian Chan Enayat Aminzadah Maria Kachalova Vivien Lok Eric Chu Mary Katherine Neal Wendy Auger Esther Li Mary Lin Wendy Wen Eveleen Guirgis Mary Siu Ying Mao Fariba Esfahani Maryam Baiza Kassam Zita Claudia Flores Faten Al Meliti May Xiang Gatkuoth Bim Nyoak Mayda Canjura Gelayol Soroor Mona Youssef Grisel Flores Mejías Mylan Doan-Nguyen Hellen Tesfai Nancy Peng Holly Sadowsky Oxana Rotaru Homan Chan Parmpal Bhullar Irina Zavialova Parveen Anwar Isabelle Martin Patricia Pedraza Cruz Jadranka Hodanic Phoebe Luo Janet Kerrigan Pingping Lian Janis Clarke Puneet Kullar Jeannie M. Locatelli Radhika Upendran Joy Tan Rebeca Andrada For over 30 years, we have been a part of this unique community. Our volunteers lend a helping hand where needed, our staff work tirelessly with compassion and wisdom. Our generous partners and donors step up to bolster our resources, allowing our clients to take the wealth of knowledge they gain and become walking advocates for our agency. But try as we might, the need is still great – for support, funding, volunteers and community involvement. So add your voice, time or resources and visit immigrantservicescalgary.ca and be a part of a great story. Vivien Lok Senior Coordinator of Settlement, Immigrant Services Calgary. Bob Robinson Chair, Board of Directors, Immigrant Services Calgary. Andrea Bosnjak Chair, Immigrants of Distinction Awards, Immigrant Services Calgary. Chiyu (Tommy) Liu Volunteer Interpreter/Translator/Multicultural Youth Action Project Mentor, Immigrant Services Calgary. Wendy Auger Mosaic Centre Director, Immigrant Services Calgary. Irfan Tharani Immigrants of Distinction, Community Service Finalist 2010, Immigrant Services Calgary. Pol Ngeth Mosaic Family Resource Centre Counselor, Immigrant Services Calgary. Daria Tilimpea Immigrants of Distinction Youth Scholarship Recipient 2010, Immigrant Services Calgary. Shariar Karimi Settlement Beneficiary, Immigrant Services Calgary. Alicia Backman-Barry Board of Directors, Immigrant Services Calgary. Luz Adriana Buritica Mosaic Center Healthy Start Program Beneficiary, Immigrant Services Calgary. Anne Valbonesi Interpreter/Translator Volunteer, Immigrant Services Calgary. Zahra Al-Harazi Board of Directors, Immigrant Services Calgary. Malithi Fernando Immigrants of Distinction Youth Scholarship Recipient 2010, Immigrant Services Calgary. Natalia Kuznetsova Interpreter/Translator Volunteer, Immigrant Services Calgary. Din Ladek Chief Executive Officer, Immigrant Services Calgary. Jethro Chung Immigrants of Distinction Youth Scholarship Recipient 2010, Immigrant Services Calgary. Jethro Chung Immigrants of Distinction Youth Scholarship Recipient 2010, Immigrant Services Calgary.
Valez Lumi Immigrants of Distinction Youth Scholarship Recipient 2009, Immigrant Services Calgary. Sepand Asefi Office Support/Resume Building/Workshop Volunteer, Immigrant Services Calgary. Parveen Anwar Mosaic Centre Parent Program Facilitator, Immigrant Services Calgary. Sodnom Ragchaasuren Mosaic Pre-school Client, Immigrant Services Calgary. Hafeez Aminzadah Executive Assistant to the CEO, Immigrant Services Calgary. Immigrant Services Calgary
1200 910 – 7th Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta, t2p 3n8 phone 403 265 1120 fax 403 266 2486 [email protected] immigrantservicescalgary.ca
This book in its entirety was donated by one group of people, dedicated to telling the story of Immigrant Services Calgary. We’d like to thank the following collaborators: Foundry Creative for the design and production, Blanchette Press for the printing and paper, and Fritz Tolentino for the photography.