VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Durham Region’s Diversityg{x Focused Newsletter V|à|éxÇ JUNE 2009 “Journeys” Durham newcomer students tell their stories Journeys is the result of a the Journeys stories and original Tenzin Doedon, a student from project, unique to Durham artwork, and to hear readings by Ajax H.S. created the cover art for District School Board (DDSB), some of the student authors Journeys and shared his story, Lost that received funding from the themselves. and Found. He writes of growing up Ministry of Education to in India although his real country is enhance the learning of English Tibet. He tells us that he has never language learners. Elementary seen his father in his whole life and and secondary students from he doesn’t know where he is. across the region participated Tenzin describes the hardships of in two writing workshops with his family as refugees in India, the author Rukhsana Khan, and an difficult decisions made by his art workshop with Cristina family in order to support Matei, in preparation for themselves and the unwavering writing and illustrating their love and support they provide for own stories. The book launch each other. Of his life in Canada, was the culmination of work on Tenzin says: this project which began last “My life in Canada is going well. It October. It provided the has been 1 1/2 years and I love opportunity for our student Canada. In Canada, if you think authors, their families, our you can do it, then you can do community partners and whatever you want. There are so school board staff to view all of Con’t ….page 4 “The Citizen” A Diversity Focused Newsletter Inside this issue: Community library 2 Durham Region is a community on the move. Recent changes to the local economy, combined with a growing and increasingly diverse and PFLAG awards event 2 dynamic population, have resulted in shifts in the local social, Accessibility in Durham 3 economic, and political landscapes. These changes have created new opportunities for growth and development, but have also created new Journeys (cont’) 4 challenges for planning, service delivery and community cohesion. Introducing “The Citizen” 4 Taking advantage of these new opportunities and meeting the demands The Local Diversity & 5 of these challenges will require a cooperative and comprehensive Immigration Partnership Council approach that includes all stakeholders in our community. In the words of newcomers 6 Con’t ….page 4 Translation links: www.translate.google.com/ Durham Region’s Diversity Focused N ewsletter DURHAM REGION’S DIVERSITY FOCUSED NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 It takes a library to raise a community If you were asked to draw a might also feature another children’s books in several picture of your community’s hub of civic activity: the local languages, but books for main gathering place for public library. teens and a vast selection of celebrations and holiday world music. Working “Library?” you say, looking events, what would you together with the up from the warm latte include in your drawing? neighbouring English as a you’ve just purchased from a Would you draw the main Second Language (ESL) large bookstore café. “What street, the city hall, a park, a Centre, the library offers in- can I get at a library that’s town square, an arena, a house tours, citizenship not on the Internet or in this mall? Very likely the study materials, and lovely bookstore?” Well, first drawings of most Durham supports “conversation of all, libraries are residents would include many circles”, film showings and multilingual, so books, films of these things but some book clubs in languages and often newspapers in other than English. With 50% many languages are all of the student population of available for free. While our new university in Oshawa Durham’s libraries are (UOIT) speaking a mother municipally funded and tongue that is not English, managed differently, they all the library provides a taste of share a commitment to meet home in recreational reading, the information needs of films and listening materials. their diverse communities. At Open and available for free 7 Oshawa Public Libraries’ days a week, your local McLaughlin Branch, you can public library is a welcoming find books and films in 33 space for all. Left to right: Wendy Kong, Oshawa languages, and magazines Public Library; Sally Grande, and newspapers in 15 Sally Grande Multicultural Librarian, Oshawa languages. Not only are there Multicultural Librarian, Public Library Oshawa Public Library Durham celebrates its first PFLAG awards event On May 9, PFLAG (formerly on behalf of the Gay, Lesbian, known as Parents, Family Bisexual and Transgender and Friends of Lesbians and (GLBT) (Rainbow) Gays) Canada, Durham’s community. The event was Chapter presented emceed by Mark Childs, “Champions Against President of PFLAG Canada. Homophobia & Transphobia Also honoured were Lin Awards” during a celebration Bambrick, Jane Currie, Anji event co-ordinated by PFLAG Dimitriou, Councilor Brian Canada Durham, Club 717 Nicholson, David Martin, and The AIDS Committee of Garrett Metcalfe, Udana Durham. This was the first Muldoon, Cst.Keith Richards, Left to right: Cst. Keith Richards, event in Durham Region Kelly Roy, Mike Shields, Diversity Coordinator, Durham Regional honouring individuals and Stefanie Swinson, Community Police Service, Tracey Vaughan, organizations working to Development of Durham and Executive Director, Community Development Council Durham. create inclusive communities The AIDS Committee of Durham. Durham Region’s Diversity Focused N ewsletter DURHAM REGION’S DIVERSITY FOCUSED NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 Accessibility in the Region of Durham In 2005 a law was passed in begun implementing eight municipal AAC Chairs Ontario ensuring inclusive accessibility strategies and the regional AAC Chair communities and full because of an earlier law, meet regularly to share best participation for persons with Ontarians with Disabilities Act, practices, partner on learning disabilities. The goal of the 2001 (ODA). This legislation opportunities and Accessibility for Ontarians is still in effect, and the AODA accessibility information. with Disabilities Act, 2005 builds on its provisions by It is estimated that there are (AODA) is to assist both the introducing Standards that 70,000 residents living in public and private sectors in outline requirements for both Durham Region with some the identification, prevention the public and private sectors. form of a disability. With and removal These Standards address continued collaborative of barriers. customer service; “IT IS ESTIMATED efforts and this new law, our A barrier for employment; information and THAT THERE ARE communities can plan and someone communication; 70,000 become more inclusive. with a transportation; and the built Everyone benefits when all RESIDENTS disability is environment. residents can fully participate LIVING IN anything Under the legislation, each and contribute to their DURHAM REGION that municipality is required to economy and community. WITH SOME FORM prevents have an Accessibility Advisory Whether it is an automated OF A participation Committee (AAC). This door at a grocery store, easy in social or DISABILITY.” committee is comprised of to read signage or safe economic people with disabilities (more pedestrian walks, inclusive opportunities within our than 50%), service providers, communities create engaged communities. There are 1.85 and municipal staff. The AAC communities. million people living in is an important contributor to Ontario who have a disability. Tracey Tyner-Cavanagh municipal accessibility Accessibility Coordinator Municipalities had already planning. Additionally, the The Regional Municipality of Durham Joint Regional AAC Chairs Group Committee Far Back Row: Michele Cotton (Accessibility Coordinator-Whitby); Ken Corner-far back row (Chair of Whitby AAC) Back Row: Paul Feldman, (Chair of Ajax AAC); Prem Noronha-Waldriff (Accessibility Coordinator, Pickering); Barb Condie (Committee Coordinator- Scugog Township); Mary Scarlett (Lakeridge Health); Thom Gettinby (Municipal Clerk- Brock Township); Lynda Lawson (Accessibility Coordinator- Oshawa); Zoia Horne (Chair of AAC, Pickering) Front Row: Mike Roche (Chair of Region of Durham AAC); Tracey Tyner Cavanagh (Accessibility Coordinator, Region of Durham); Cyndie Sproul (Chair of Oshawa AAC) Absent from Photo: Olive Struthers (Accessibility Coordinator, Ajax) Edie Forsyth (Chair of AAC, Scugog Township) Diana Stephen (Deputy Clerk, town of Uxbridge) DURHAM REGION’S DIVERSITY FOCUSED NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 “Journeys” (cont’ from front cover) many opportunities in Canada that we don’t have in my country.” In all, the stories of 81 newcomer students from grades one to twelve are “THERE ARE SO included in Journeys. These students have come to us from all over the world, MANY under many different circumstances, and they bring with them languages, cultural OPPORTUNITIES traditions and experiences that enrich our schools and communities. Their stories tell of the struggle, loss, determination and hope involved in coming to a new IN CANADA country and beginning a new life in Canada. THAT WE DON’T HAVE IN MY Copies of Journeys have been provided to all DDSB schools and Durham Region COUNTRY”. Public Libraries. For further information please contact Anne Sidnell at 905-666- 6944, Durham District School Board, 400 Taunton Road East, Whitby. “It was a really good day for us. We told all our friends that we were flying to happiness. We thought that all our problems would be solved. We were dreaming