community report - emcnthe addition of new members to the board including sofia karmali, scott...
TRANSCRIPT
C o m m u n i t y
2 0 1 2
R e p o r t
CORE VALUESSocial JusticeCreating a society that is based on the dignity of every human being• Integrity• Democratic• Equalopportunities• Integration• Participation
DiversityGivingeveryindividualtheopportunitytoachievetheirpotentialandtoparticipatefullyin the community.• Respect• Inclusion• Strengths-basedapproach• Culture/age/gender/values• Spirituality
Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers
VISION ELEMENTSVivid DescriptionWeseeafuturewheremanycitizenswalkwithnewcomerstobridgetheirtransitionintocommunity.Toachievethisvisionwewillserveasakeycatalystandleadingcollaboratorinpositivelyshapingtheattitudes,behavioursandpracticesoforganizationsandindividualstovaluethediversitythatnewcomersbringtocommunity.
CompassionShowingcareandempathyfornewcomers.• Grace• Love• Hope• Humility• Fellowship
ResponsibilityActingtoachieveourgoals.• Accountability• Trust• Change• Mentoring• Ownership• Professionalism• Solution-oriented• Transparency
CORE PURPOSEToenhancequalityoflifefornewcomersandallCanadians
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. Anne Frank
It’s good to be blessed. It’s better to be a blessing. Author Unknown
The2011-2012yearhasbeengoodforAlbertaasoureconomyremainsstrongandtheprovinceenjoysprosperity,peace,andstability.TheprovinceofAlbertacontinuestobeamongthegreatestplacesintheworldtolive.Partlyasaresultofthisprosperity,theprovincehaswelcomedrecordnumbersofnewcomersduringthisperiod.
Whilegeneralconditionsinourlandarestrong,therearestillareasthatrequiregreaterattentionandeffort.Withtheincreasing number of newcomers coming toEdmonton,ensuringtheyareallgivenaproperwelcomeandareprovidedwiththeopportunitytoworkandraiseastrongfamilybecomesanincreasingchallenge,onethattheEdmontonMennoniteCentreforNewcomers(EMCN)hasmadeitsmissiontofulfill.
AsaresultofthecontinuedinfluxofnewcomerstoEdmonton,thelast12monthshavebeeneventfulatEMCN.TheAnnualGeneralMeeting(AGM)andCommunityReportareopportunitiestoreflectontheyear’s events. InAugust2011,wewerefortunatetohaveErickAmbtmanjoinusasourExecutiveDirectorandhisleadershiphasbeena
wonderfuladditiontotheEMCNfamily.Sincehisarrival,theBoardofDirectorshasgivenErickthemandatetoupgradeEMCN’sorganizationalinfrastructure,tocreateasolidfoundationofprocessesandfunctionsbehindthescenesthatsupportourfrontlinesinefficientlyandeffectivelyengagenewcomersaswewalktogetherintheirjourneytointegration into our society and economy. TheworkonthisorganizationalupgradehasbegunandtheBoardremainsinfullsupportofErickasheworkstoimplementthisessentialmandate.
AlongwithErick’sarrival,therehasalsobeentheadditionofnewmemberstotheBoardincludingSofiaKarmali,ScottMcKeen,ScottKey,NeilBargenandPeterInglis.EachhascontributedtotheBoardintheirownway,utilizingtheirdiverseskillsandbackgrounds,enhancingdiversityattheBoardlevelandaddingtothedepthoftheAgency.
OneoftheprioritiesoftheBoardthisyearhasbeentocreateandapproveaStrategicPlanthatwillserveasaroadmapfortheExecutiveDirectorandthestaffforyearstofollow.Aftermanymeetingsandconsultations,theBoardapprovedtheStrategicPlanonMay28th,2012.TheStrategicPlanwasledbytheBoardandinvolvedtheinputfromalllevelsof
While general conditions in our land are strong, there are still areas that require greater attention and effort. With the increasing number of newcomers coming to Edmonton, ensuring they are all given a proper welcome and are provided with the opportunity to work and raise a strong family becomes an increasing challenge, one that the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN) has made its mission to fulfill.
A message from the Chairman of the Board of Directors
Board of Directors 2012
DanielEggert,Chair
SofiaKarmali,Vice-Chair/Treasurer
MariaJagiello-Cathcart,Secretary
KarenLink,Director
MatWiens,Director
NeilBargen,Director
PeterInglis,Director
RickEnns,Director
ScottKey,ExecutiveMemberatLarge
ScottMcKeen,Director
SofiaYaqub,Director
staffandthefoundingchurches.
Whilemanyimportantobjectivescameoutofthisprocess,onethathasthepotentialtohaveasignificantimpactontheidentityoftheAgencywasthegoaltoconductafullGovernanceReviewwhichwillincludethewayinwhichEMCNisgoverned.TheBoardrecognizesthatasEMCNevolvestomeettheneedsofnewcomersandourcommunity,sotoomusttheBoardevolveitspracticestomeet the needs of the agency and our many communitystakeholders.
EMCN’sabilitytobestservenewcomersandourcommunitymovingforwardwillbehighlydependentonourabilitytostayrelevantbyadaptingtochangesbothamongstnewcomers and our community. We are confidentaboutthefutureofEMCNandourcityandwelookforwardtoworkingtogetherwithourmanystakeholderstohelpincreasethequalityoflifefornewcomersandforourcommunity.
SincerelyonBehalfoftheBoard,
DanielEggertChair,BoardofDirectors
Never worry about numbers.
Help one person at a time, and
always start with the person
nearest you. ~Mother Teresa
A message from the Chairman of the Board of Directors
The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?” But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?” ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
ErickAmbtmanExecutiveDirector
Message from the Executive DirectorWhenIjoinedEMCNthisyearIknewIwasjoiningagreatorganizationthatwasapillarofstrengthandhopeintheEdmontoncommunity.WhatIdidnotknowwasthatIwasjoiningateamofincrediblypassionateanddedicatedpeople.EverydayIamhumbledbythespiritandcommitmentoftheBoard,volunteersandstaffatEMCN.Itisaplacewherethepeoplewalkthetalkandputothersbeforethemselves.Overthepastyearmuchofourefforthasgone into focusing our energy and being strategic in our choices. We have a new strategicplanthatsetsoutaboldvisionforEMCNandourroleinthecommunity.Wehavearesourcesdevelopmentplanthataimstomakeusamorestableorganizationwiththemeanstoindependentlypursuestrategicobjective.WehaveacommunicationsplanwhichwillbeimplementedtoraisetheprofileofimmigrantissuesandsuccessesaswellasthatofEMCN.Wecansaywithconfidencethatweknowwherewewanttogoandhowwewillgetthere.2011/2012wasagainatransitionyear
forEMCNbutweendedtheyearwithrenewedfocusandenergy.Wealsobuiltandstrengthenedrelationshipswithourkeystakeholdersincludingfunders,partners,staffandclients.Theresulthasbeenamoretransparent,collaborative,andopenEMCNwithincreasedcapacitytomeetourstrategicobjectives.OursuccessthisyearhasbeentheresultofourcollectiveeffortandthesupportoftheEdmontoncommunity.Internally,staffateverylevelhavetakenonnewresponsibilitiesinmanydifferentcapacities.OurBoardhasaskedallthedifficultquestionsandpushedEMCNtorealizeloftyambitions.OutsideofEMCNothercommunityorganizationshavegonetogreatlengthstosupportus.Fundershavealsocommittedresourcestohelpingusmoveinanewdirection.Ittakesavillagetoraiseachildandithastakenourwholecommunitytofacilitateourtransition.EMCNwillcontinuetopursueourambitiontobecomeatrulygreatorganization,empoweringandsupportingournewcitizensandplayingakeyroleinthecontinuedgrowthofthiswonderfulcity.
ThisyearwasanexcitingandinterestingoneforourEMCNemploymentteamintheWelcomeCentreforImmigrants(WCI).LocatedinthelivelymulticulturalcommunityinsouthEdmonton,WCIisoneoftheoldestnot-for-profitcollaborationsinEdmonton.Itisauniquewrap-aroundinitiativetohelpnewlyarrivedimmigrantsthroughthelocalmosaicofinformationandresourcesunder one roof.
In2011-12,WCIhasseen 2252 newcomers and arranged68employmentworkshopswithparticipantsfromallovertheworld–includingIndia,Pakistan,Bangladesh,Philippines,China,Korea,Afghanistan,Nigeria,Chile,Romania,Iran,SriLanka,Sudan,ElSalvador,Ukraine,Congo,Somalia,Colombia,FijiandSierraLeone.
WCI’senthusiasticteamhasfivefull-timestaff–fourcareerpractitionersandonejobdeveloper.LanguagesspokenincludeSomali,Arabic,Hindi,Urdu,Punjabiandmanymore.StaffmembersarealwaysreadytohelpnewcomersprepareaCanadianstyleresumefromscratch,guidethemthroughlocalresourcesandtakecareofallthenitty-grittytoempowertheminthejobmarket.Besidespracticingtraditionalcareerserviceapproaches,thisyeartheWCIteamhasusedsocialmediatohelpclientsevenbetter.WCI’sfirsteversocialnetworkingsites,aTwitteraccountandajobblogpost,wentonlineintheearlymonthsofthisfinancialyear.Twitterandthejobblogspothavehelpednewcomersintensivelywithjobsearchesinthepastfewmonths.NowWCIhas1,547followersinTwitterandstillcounting!!
In2012-2013,WCIexpectstoseea60percentincreaseinitsclientsbyprovidingservicesto4000newcomers.Tomeetthisgoal,WCIisexpandingandwearegladtosaythatweareaddinganother7000Sqftofspaceinourexistingfacilityonthe2ndfloorofthesamebuildingandwillhavemoreprogramsandservicesforourclientswith8newcolleaguesinourteamduringnextyear.
“I cannot believe that I can perform in an Interview like I did, I felt myself confident because of the direction and support extended by the WCI team.” – a newcomer
Employment Team in Welcome Centre for Immigrants (WCI)
WCIhad68employmentworkshopsin2011-2012
Settlement support for youth and their families through the school setting continues to evolve and grow. ThiswasoursecondyearofinvolvementintheREACHSchoolsasHubprogramminginMcCauleyandBalwinschools.ThisprogramisexpandingintoEdithRogersSchoolandJ.PercyPageinMillwoods.WehavebeeninvolvedintheEdithRogersschoolcommunityforthepasttwoyearsasmorenewcomersmoveintothisschoolarea.TheSchoolsasHubsconceptallowsustobringinprogramsasanagencythatincludeanafter-schoolprogramforthechildrenandyouth,aswellasEALclasses,sewingclassesandcitizenshipclassesforadults,dependingonwhatthecommunityisrequesting.
OurSettlementinSchoolsworkfocusesontwo areas
1) Supportingfamilies,youthandschoolstaffthroughbrokeringculturalunderstanding
2) Supportingin-schoolandafter-schoolprogrammingforacademicsuccess
Thisyear,twenty-twoschoolscalledonustoprovideculturalinsightandsupportforbridgingunderstandingandsupportingnewcomeryouthindividually.
Wealsosupportedover50familiesthroughvaryingtypesofcrises,includingteensleavinghomeforvariousreasons,andfindingwaystoreunitefamiliesorsupportyouthwhoarenowon their own.
Wehavebeeninvolvedinsixschoolsonaregularbasisofferingin-schoolsupport,after-schoolprogrammingandrecreationalprograms.InQueenElizabethHighSchoolandBalwinElementaryandJuniorHighSchool,wehaveadailypresence.Intheotherschools,wesupporttheyouthbetweenoneandtwodaysaweek.
Belowisabreakdownofnumbersofstudentsourprogrammingisimpacting. • QueenElizabethHighCultureClub: 20youth• QueenElizabethHighRecreationProgram: 30youth• Balwinafterschoolprogramming: 45childrenandyouth• EdithRogersJuniorHighSchool: 25youth• BelvedereElementarySchool: 20children• JohnDBraccoJuniorHighSchool: 16youth• JohnBarnettElementarySchool: 3children• Girlsprogramming: 75girlsinthreeschools
LastsummerwehadasuccessfulsummerprogramoutofBalwinSchoolincollaborationwithpartneragencies.Over70childrenandyouthattendedthefourweekprogramthatincludedliteracyandnumeracyactivitiesaswellas recreation and crafts.
Thetwogrowingareasofourworkintheschoolsthisyearrevolvedaroundarecreationprogramforboysandprogrammingspecificallyforgirls.WhenyouthexpressedinterestandenthusiasmaroundhavingaMondaynightsoccerandWednesdaymorningbasketballatQueenElizabethHigh,ourstaffworkerHusseinSugullemadeithappen.SinceOctoberoflastyear,youthfromQueenElizabethhavebeengatheringtoplaysportstogether.Theresulthas been engagement of immigrant youth who otherwisehavebeendis-engagedfromtheschoolcommunity.Ourhopeistobuildonthisfornextyearandprovidemoreopportunityforreflectiononpositiveengagementandleadershipdevelopmentasyouthgothroughtheirhighschoolyears.
Theotherprojectgrewoutofadesireonthepartofgirlstohave“girls-only”activities.OurEMCNstaffmember,AmyJeannotte,organized“CelebratingInnerBeauty”–aneventthatbroughtgirlsfromallculturestogetherinthreedifferentschoolcommunitiestoparticipateinactivitiessuchascreatingabannertogether,doinghennaartoneachother,anddancingtogether.Thegirlsweredelightedwiththeexperience.AnoutgrowthofthisexperiencewasafashionshoworganizedbythegirlsofQueenElizabethHighthatincludedfashion,danceandsharing ethnic food.
Through the generous funding from the FederalandProvincialGovernment,theCityofEdmonton,thePublicSchoolBoardandagrantfromTELUSforourworkwithimmigrantgirls,weareabletoplayasupportiveroletotheschoolstaff,thefamilies,andthechildrenandyouthinvolvedinschoolingthroughourpublicschoolsystem.
Plant flowers in others’ gardens and your life becomes a bouquet!
Author Unknown
Thisprogramisallaboutsettingthestageforfuturesuccess.The2011-2012studentbodycommittedmoreofthemselves,challengedmoreoftheirbeliefsandvalues,andembracedthetransitiontoanewworkculturewithnewcommunicationstyleswithopenarms.Aftercompleting4monthsatEMCN,wheretheyenhancedtheirknowledgeofengineeringbusinesscommunication,Canadianworkplacecultureandhonedtheircomputerskills,
69 civil,mechanical,electricalandindustrialelectronicsengineeringprofessionalsheadedofftoNAITtorefreshtheirEngineeringknowledgethroughcourseworkinAppliedEngineering-to“Canadianize”theirengineeringskills.Onceonthejobsearchtrail,graduateswereprovidedTechnologistinTrainingmembershipswiththeAssociationofScienceandEngineeringTechnologistProfessionalsofAlberta(ASET)anddirectedjobsearchsupportbyEMCN.Theresultofalltheirhardwork?
Anincredible 98% engineering employmentsuccessratewithannualsalariesrangingbetween$78.000to$136,000.
Engineers’ and Technologists’ Integration Program Accountants’ Bridging
ProgramTheAccountants’BridgingProgramassistsinternationallyeducatedaccountingorfinanceprofessionalstotransitionintomeaningfulaccountingrelatedemploymentwhileconnectingtheprogramparticipantswiththeaccountingregulatorthatfeelmostcomfortableinpursuingadesignationwith:CGA,CMAorCA.Theprogramhasoneintakeperyear,withclassesstartinginSeptemberandendinginJuly.In2011/201215candidatesareenrolledintheprogram.Theprogramhasnotyetconcludedandsomeoftheparticipantsalreadyhaveappropriateemployment.
Payroll Clerks’ ProgramsThePayrollClerks’ProgramdiffersfromETIPandABPinthatitisatrainingprogram.This means that candidates from a range ofprofessionalbackgroundscanenrol.Weencourageprofessionalswithbackgroundsinaccounting,book-keepingorevenOfficeAdministrationtoapply,becausetheseareasaremostcloselyconnectedwithLaurie,theoccupationofpayrollclerk.AsisthecasewithAccountants’BridgingProgramthereisonlyoneintakeperyearforthisprogram.Thisisan8-monthprogramwithclassesrunningfromMaytoDecember.21clientswereenrolledintheprogramin2011.
Enhanced Language Training Program (Research and Curriculum Development)
TheWorkplace-basedAccountingLanguageandCultureCurriculumDevelopmentProgram.
Thisfederallyandprovinciallyfundedprojecthastheobjectiveofcreatingeffectivecommunicationmaterialsandlearningopportunitiesforforeign-trainedaccountantsbasedonauthenticCanadianworkplacecommunication.
Thefirststepwastogotocorporatepartnersandactuallygetauthenticsamplesofcommunicationinaccountingworkplaces.NayarLopezofEMCNthenanalyzedthesesamplesandcategorizedthemintocommunicationtasks.NayarthendevelopedlessonsthatwouldhelplearnersincarryingoutthesetasksandpilotedlessonsintheAccountingBridgingProgramatEMCN.Afterwards,lessonswereassembledintoaworkbookthatwascompletedinAprilofthisyear.
Aspartoftheproject,EMCNpartneredwithAthabascaUniversitytoconvertoneofthelessonsintoapilotonlinelesson.Thefeedbackfromparticipantsofboththetext-basedandonlinelessonshasbeenpositive.Hereareafewcommentsfromtheirfeedback:
“It’sagoodmaterialforuswhocomefromothercountrytoprepareusintherealCanadianworkplace.”
“Itteachesushowtodopropervoicemailing,veryhelpfultoourworkandineverydaycommunication.Makesusvery
professionalinwork.”
“Iwantmoreofthis.Thiswillhelpmeinmyfuture.”
“E-learninglessonhelpsalot,especiallytopeoplewhoareverybusy,sothey
canlearnthingsattheirownpaceortime.”
ThanksgoestothegovernmentsofCanadaandAlbertafortheirfundingsupport,EMCN’scorporatepartnersandAthabascaUniversityforassistingtheprojectandalltheaccounting
professionalswhoparticipatedinthepilotingofthelessons.
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Mahatma Ghandi
Health & Wellbeing Services Report - 2011Throughout2011,theHealth&WellbeingServicesTeamcontinuedtoseeincreasedgrowthinthenumberofmultilayered,complexcases.Ourteamservedjustover
590uniqueclientsfrom72countries. Anoverarchinggoalinallareashasbeentobuildstrongercollaborativeworkingrelationships.Thishelpsprovideclientswithasmoother,moreresponsive,clientfriendlyreferralprocess.Throughexistingandnewcollaborations,wehaveencounterednewpossibilitiesbothfortheclientswealreadyserveandincreasedopportunitiesforoutreach.
SocialWorksupportandcrisisinterventionhascontinuedtobeextremelybusythrough2011.Itappearsthatasourserviceshavebecomebetterknown,wefindincreasinglycomplexcases.Inanumberofthose,individualsorfamiliesareinvolvedwithmultiplesystemsandserviceproviders.Thesecasescanbetaxingintermsofourtimeandresources;therefore,internalandexternalservicecoordinationhasbecomeagreaterfocusofourworkBydoingthis,wehopetoavoidhugeinvestmentsofresourceswithoutimprovementinoutcomes.BenefitsofthecoordinatedapproachincludetheavoidanceofduplicationofservicesfrompartnerssuchasChild&FamilyServices(CFSA),CatholicSocialServices(CSS),MulticulturalHealthBrokers(MCHB);aswellasbridgingthegapsthatsomeofourclientsfallinto.Wearebeginningtoseegains in terms of increased communication betweenserviceproviders,andfamiliesfeelingthattheyarebeingcollectivelyheld,ratherthanpassedaroundfromservicetoservice.
Ourgroupprograms–forparents,LanguageforLife:HelpingYourYouthFindTheirWay,andforyouth–FindingTheirWayhavecontinuedtogrowandflourish.Thesetwoaspectsofourprogrammingwerenewinitiativesthatstartedin2010.Wehavebeenworkingwiththe
“First of all, all of the new immigrants should know about Language for Life
because they want to live in Canada. This information is useful for them. Secondly, I encourage our classmates to take this course, especially who have children. In my opinion, most of the topics that you talked about in this class were useful
like education, Canadian culture and a movie that you showed us. I think your
group talked about everything that a new immigrant needs to live better in Canada.”
communityondevelopingthegroupsandthecurriculum,therehavealsobeenanumberofpositiveoutcomesforparticipants.WepartneredwithstafffromEMCN’sSettlementinSchoolsteamtoprovidepsycho-educationalFindingYourWaygroupsatQueenElizabethHighSchool.FollowingisanexcerptoffeedbackreceivedfromoneofourLanguageforLifeparticipants:
Our programs to support immigrant families with young children revolve around the following goals:
Literacy: Buildingblocksofstrongliteracybeginwithstrongfirstlanguageskills.Weencourageparentstopassonastrongfirstlanguagethroughstorytellingandsingingandotherinteractionswiththeirchildren.TheprogramalsoworksontheEnglishliteracyskillsoftheparentstoempowerthemtonavigateinanEnglish-speakingworld.Andtheprogramforthechildrenprovidesopportunitiestodeveloppre-literacyskillsthroughdrawing,readingbooksandengaginginstoriesduringcircletime.
Integration: Havingopportunitiestobuildcommunityandlearnaboutresourcesisasecondcomponentofthisprogram.Throughfieldtripstothelibrary,toalocalschool,andtoplacessuchasFortEdmontonPark,parentsaredirectlyinvolvedintheirchildren’slearningjourney.Aswell,weofferaskatingandswimmingprogramforpre-schoolagechildrenandtheiroldersiblingstogiveasafeandaffordableopportunityforaccessingprograms.
Child and Family Services:
Early intervention:
Exploringinterculturalparentingskillsiscriticaltosuccessfulintegration.Thisprogramcreatesopportunitiesfordiscussionsaboutissuesrelatedtoparenting.Aswell,throughhomevisits,stafflearnmoreaboutthefamiliesparticipatingintheprogramandareabletoofferholisticsupport.Parentshaveidentifiedalongingtogettogetheroutsideoftheprogramtobuildcommunityandtolearnfromeachother.ThroughEMCNstaffbrokeringofrelationships,parentshavebeenconnectedtoeachother,havemadefriends,andhavereducedtheirisolation.
• Wehave149momswhowentthroughtheprogramfromJanuary2011toDecember2011.• Wealsohave146childrenwhoparticipatedwiththeirmoms.• Weengagedwith138parentsthroughhomevisitsandholisticsupport
WehaveoneyoungSomalimomwhojoinedourprogram;shedoesnothaveanyextendedfamilyorfriendsinthecity.AMulticulturalHealthBrokerreferredhertoourprogram.Shewaslittlebitshyatthebeginningbuteventuallymadefriends.ShebecameaverygoodfriendwithaRomanianmotheraSudanesemotherandanotherSomalimother.Theymeetoutsidetheprogram;taketheirkidstoplacestogether.Theyalsomeetasafamily.Theysharedthefollowingstory:Onetime,theSudaneseandSomalimomsarrangedasleep-overforthemselvesandthekidsinonehome and their husbands hung out together in the otherhome!Everyoneseemedtohaveenjoyedthiscross-culturalexperience.
We can do no great things, only small things with great love. - Mother Teresa
TheCESIprogramoffersshort-termemploymentintervention,assistanceandsupportforimmigrantslookingtodevelopacareerand/ordevelopmeaningful,long-termemployment.Theprogramfocusesonprovidingin-depthassessmentfromqualifiedCareerPractitionersfollowedbysupportandreferraltohelpthoseweservereachtheirspecificemploymentgoals.Itsupportsimmigrantsthatarelow-skilledwithlittleornoformaltrainingoreducationwhoarenotborninCanadaandlookingforlongtermorshorttermemployment.Oncewereceivetheclient,thecounsellorwillplacehimorheron12weeksjobplacement.Thecounselorwillworkverycloselywiththeclientandfollowupwithsupportinfindingwork.
Othersupportsofferedare:
PaidWorkplaceTrainingOpportunitieswhichaimstoprovidenewskillsforimmigrantswhohavenothadtheopportunitytobetrainedinaspecificfield.AmajorpurposeoftheWTPistohelpemployersinvestinemployeepotential.ThismeanssupportandfinancialincentivesforemployerswhoarewillingtotakeonthetrainingorresponsibilityforEMCNclients.
Onsiteemploymentworkshopscustomizedtomeettheneedsofthespecificclientgroups(ENG)
EmployerLiaisonandJobDevelopmentservices
Events-JobFairs,InformationSessions,andMockinterviews
ExposurecoursesuchasFirstAid,WHMIS,H2SAlive,ForkliftSafety,CSTS,OSSA
Transportation–BusticketsorBuspassesareprovidedwithcounselorapproval
CESICAREER EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANT
Recent Success StoriesThecounselormetaclientlastNovemberwhohadtroublefindingemployment.Theresumewasrevisedandanemploymentworkshopwasprovidedfortheclienttoprepareforajob.ThenextstepwastorefertheclienttoEL/JD(EmployerLiaisonandJobDeveloper).EL/JD’sdutyistoplacetheclientwiththeemployer.EL/JDfoundajobfortheclientbutshequitaftertwodaysbecauseshedidn’tfeelsafetakingthebuslateintheeveningandhadtroublefindingsomeonelookingafterherbaby.Theclientkeptlookingforjobsbutencounteredtransportationandbabysittingproblems.Finally,shemanagedtofindadaycarenearby.Thisendedherbabysittingconcernsandtheclientisnowworkingfulltimeasabinderyworker.
Thecounsellor’ssupportplaysaveryimportantroleintheclient’slifebecauseitprovidestheclientwithhopeandmotivationtocontinuouslyseektheidealjobandtonotgiveuponthisdream.Inorderforanygoaltobereached,itisimportanttohelptheclientmaintainthemomentuminhisjourneyofcareerdevelopment.
Statistically,wehavebeenservingover617 individualswhoreceiveddirect
counsellingservicesfromourCESIEmploymentteamandUptodatewehad190 jobplacements.Almost5000
individualswerehandledthroughourreceptionarealastfiscalyear.
“Ireallyappreciateyourunderstandingandsupportregardingtheoilrigjob.Thankyoufortakingachanceonmeandforyour
neverendingsupportandencouragement.You’vebeenrightthere,helpingoutwhereverandwheneverneededforthesepastmonths.Sendingmeallkindofopportunitiesandsendingmyresumetoemployer,Idon’treallyknowhowcanIrepayyou,you’reoneofakind.Again,deeplyfrommyheartthankyousomuchforyourhelp.Igreatlyappreciatetheassistanceyouhaveprovidedme.Peoplereallyneedsomeonelikeyoutohelpthemwiththeirfuture,Iamverygladtospeakandsaythatyourmanagerdidn’tregrettoput
youwhereyouarerightnow.”
EMNCclient.
2012 Deficiency
425%
171K
41K
2011 Deficiency
Reduced
Revenuestnarg tnemnrevog laicnivorP
stnarg tnemnrevog laredeFstnarg margorp rehtO
Rentgnisiardnuf dna snoitanoD
seef noitartsigeR emocni tnemtsevnI
2012 2011
861,053,3$939,933,3$841,509,2943,398,2528,891,1412,441,1
232,877 290,582744,48552,602222,44378,54
654,3 22,055
7,865,963 7,895,447
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONSFOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2012
RevenuesExpenses
Expensesstifeneb dna seiralaS
ecnanetniam dna seitilitu ,tneRsecivres tcartnoC
evitartsinimdAsecruoseR
noitazitromAecnanetniam dna sriaper ,tnempiuqE
Excess (Deficiency) of Revenue over Expenses
254,622,5$124,310,5$926,883,1328,904,1664,666032,877719,233816,053870,582731,912230,57458,88
092,74 91,394
7,907,373 8,065,968
$ (41,410) $ (170,521)
ISP Integrted Services Programtrends and statistics for the 2011 – 2012 fiscal yearThe2011-2012ISPreportingyearhasbeenverysuccessful.WiththeconcertedeffortsfromallofourSettlementand
“A big thank you to you for your professionalism and people skills ... it helped in making the last five days...more than just a learning experience”.
“I just wanted to share the joyous news. I was just told that I was successful in obtaining the permanent post as Registry Clerk at Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission”.
“Thank you very much for all that you have done. I really appreciated your dedication and tenacity in giving me all the tools I needed to make this transition”.
ERCgraduates
• Thenumberofindependentimmigrantscomingforservicesatallourlocationshasremainedconstantthroughoutthefiscalyearat43%ofthetotalintake.ThemajorityoftheseprofessionalimmigrantsarefromIndia(18%),Philippines(10%),Pakistan(4%)andNigeriaandChina(2%).
• EMCNnotonlyservesindependentimmigrantsbutisalsocommittedtoothercategoriesofclientswhoareprivateor
CareerPractitionersundertheISPfunded
agreement,the agency has exceededtheprojectedannualtargetof1975clientsby198,bringingthetotalclientsservedduringthe
fiscalyearto2173 intheareasofOrientation/Information/Referral;Translation/Interpretation;SupportiveCounselingandEmploymentServices.Thisrepresentedplus110%
governmentsponsoredrefugees,andconventionalrefugees.Duringthisfiscalyear,wehaveprovidedservicestoabout28%ofclientswhofallunderthePermanentResidentsConventionRefugeesorProtectedPersons,while22%oftheclientsarealsofamilysponsored.Theserefugeeshaveoriginated from refugee source countries such asSomalia(11%),Ethiopia(9%),Sudan(3%),Eritrea(3%),andIraq(3%)Colombia(2%),Afghanistan(1%),Congo(1%),andotherWestAfrican countries.
2012 Deficiency
425%
171K
41K
2011 Deficiency
Reduced
Revenuestnarg tnemnrevog laicnivorP
stnarg tnemnrevog laredeFstnarg margorp rehtO
Rentgnisiardnuf dna snoitanoD
seef noitartsigeR emocni tnemtsevnI
2012 2011
861,053,3$939,933,3$841,509,2943,398,2528,891,1412,441,1
232,877 290,582744,48552,602222,44378,54
654,3 22,055
7,865,963 7,895,447
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONSFOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2012
RevenuesExpenses
Expensesstifeneb dna seiralaS
ecnanetniam dna seitilitu ,tneRsecivres tcartnoC
evitartsinimdAsecruoseR
noitazitromAecnanetniam dna sriaper ,tnempiuqE
Excess (Deficiency) of Revenue over Expenses
254,622,5$124,310,5$926,883,1328,904,1664,666032,877719,233816,053870,582731,912230,57458,88
092,74 91,394
7,907,373 8,065,968
$ (41,410) $ (170,521)
Wesupporttheeffortsofpeopleinfindingtheirownsolutionstoproblemsratherthanimposingsolutions.Webelievethanwhencommunitiescometogethertofindsolutionsandimprovetheirownlives,theresultiscapacitybuildingandapermanentstrengthening of the community and renewed hopefortheindividualsandfamilies.Ouractivitiesinclude:
1) EntrepreneurshipTheEntrepreneurshipforNewcomersprojectisapartnershipbetweenEMCNandtheWildmanInstitute.Theprojecthasevolvedoverthepastyearasaninnovativeapproachtodeliveringanewandcreativeentrepreneurshipinitiativeforimmigrants.Itfillsagapinthecurrentsupplyofentrepreneurshipsupportfornewcomerswhoarestrugglingfinancially,butwhohavecreativebusinessideasandthepassiontocontribute.Theprogramhasexpandedtoincludementorship,withthehelpoftheImmigrantEntrepreneurMentorshipProgramsponsoredbyBusinessLink.OurgoalistolinkimmigrantentrepreneurswithAlbertanswhohaveexperiencedoingbusinessinourprovinceandcity.Atotalof54entrepreneursweretrainedduringtheyearwiththehelpofmore than 500 hours of coaching hours
2) Ethno-cultural Organizational Capacity BuildingTheCapacityBuildingProjectisapartnershipoffourorganizationssupportedbytheCityofEdmontonCommunityServicesDepartment.ThepartnersincludeActionfor
HealthyCommunities,Multi-culturalCoalition,Edmonton,AlbertaCultureandCommunityServices,andtheEdmontonMennoniteCentre.In2011,atotalof15communityworkshops-asetofthreeworkshopscoveringfiveareasoforganizationalcapacitybuilding--weredeliveredwiththeoverallgoalofincreasingthecapacityofethno-culturalcommunityleaderstoservetheircommunities.Atotalof203people,representing29differentethno-culturalcommunities,attendedtheworkshops.
3) The Community Partnership Leadership ChallengeThepartnershipgroupisagroupof17ethno-culturalcommunityleadersthathavebeenworkingtogetherforthreeyearstofindsolutionstotheircommunitychallenges.Theymeetmonthlytonetworkandmotivateeachotherinordertobettersupporttheircommunities.
If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. If you want to touch the
future, touch a life. Author Unknown
Community Development
2011/2012
4) Youth SupportThroughouttheschoolyearEMCNisbeeninvolvedinmanyinandoutofschoolprogramsforimmigrantyouthincludingSt.FrancisofAssisiHomeworkclub,SaturdayEMCNhomeworkclubandEdithRogersGirlsgroup,whichhaveallmadetremendousprogress.Therehavebeenworkshopsandguestspeakersonbullying,selfesteem,bodyimage,publicspeaking,gambling,leadership,andartprojects.ThroughanInnerbeautycelebration,fieldtripsandrecreationtheyouthhavebeenabletofeelempoweredtobecomeleadersinnotonlytheirschoolsbutintheircommunities.Morethan70youthhaveparticipatedintheprograms.
5) I-WINImmigrantWomenIntegrationNetwork(IWIN)wasan18monthprojectfundedbyStatusofWomenCanada.ThegoalofI-WINwastoworkwithimmigrantwomentobuildtheirleadershipskills,broadentheirnetworksbylinkingthewomentovolunteeropportunitiesand community resources and by using a strength-basedapproachtohelpthewomenworktowardstheircareerandpersonalgoals.TheprojectconcludedinNovemberof2011withacompletionrateof85%oftheparticipants.ThesuccessofI-WINisnotaboutthecompletionratebuttheimpactithasmadeonthelivesofthe98participants.To date most of the women have formed networksandhavemonthlymeetingsandseveralhavebeenemployedwithinEMCNoncontractualandfulltimejobs.
ISP Employment Readiness Class TheIntegratedServicesProgramemploymentteamatEMCNprovidesEmploymentReadinessClassesfornewcomerstoCanadainordertohelpthemimprovetheirjobreadinessskills.TheclasscoversCanadianworkculture,labourmarketinformation,resume/coverletterwriting,jobsearch,jobapplication,interviewpreparation,rightsandresponsibilitiesintheworkplace,training/fundinginformation,financialliteracyandothersettlementresources.ERCstudentsparticipateindifferentgroupactivitiesincludingroleplayinterviews.Guestspeakersindifferentareassuchasbankingandlawareinvitedtoprovideinformationusefulfornewcomers.Wealsoinviteemployerstomockinterviews,whichallERCstudentsgreatlyappreciate.AftercompletingERC,studentsreceiveacertificateandmeetwithjobdeveloperswhoassistthemwithjobsearchintheJob
Club.MostERCstudentsenjoylearningnewskillsandmakingnewfriendsinthegroup.Manyofthemstillkeepintouchtosupporteachother.ERCgraduatesoftenfindworkintheirfields(e.g.,accounting,engineering,sales,marketing,pharmacyandadministration)andaremakingavaluablecontribution to Canadian society.
OneofthepastERCgraduatesoriginallycametoEdmontonfromJamaicaasanindependentimmigrantin2010.SheobtainedherBachelorofScienceDegreeinProfessionalManagementandhadcustomerserviceandadministrationexperienceinaviation,accountingandautomotivesalescompanies.WhensheattendedtheERC,shewasquitenewtoEdmontonanddidnothavemuchinformationrelatedtoemployment.Shewantedtofindworkin the customer service or administration fields.SheactivelyparticipatedinallgroupactivitiesandsuccessfullycompletedtheERC.Assoonasshestartedsendingherresumestodifferentemployers,shereceivedinterviewphonecalls.ShesuccessfullylandedaRegistryClerkjobatAlbertaGamingandLiquorCommissionin2010andwaspromotedtoanExecutiveAssistantpositionwiththesameemployerin2011.
CIIPthe Canadian Immigrant Integration Program
CIIPprovidesfreepre-departureorientationtoFederalSkilledWorkers,ProvincialNominees,theirspousesandadultdependents,whiletheyarestilloverseasduringthefinalstagesoftheimmigrationprocess.CIIPhelpsimmigrantsprepareforeconomicsuccessbyproviding
information,planningandonlinesupportthroughpartnersinCanada.
TotalnumberofclientsservedbytheEMCNOnlineAdvisorfortheperiodApril2011–March2012:
463CIIPgraduatesarebetterpreparedthanotherimmigrantsforintegrationintoCanadianlabourmarketandthesuccessrateismuchhigher:73%foundemploymentwithin3monthsafter
arrival;93%within6months;59%wereemployedinthesameorrelatedoccupation(firstjob);and22%atthesamelevelorhigher(firstjob).
1 Abakar,Reiman2 Abdulkadir,Abdufatah3 Adamowicz,Karol4 Afzal,Muhammad5 Agbor,Frankline6 Ali,Hiba7 Ali,Mana8 Ali,Nima9 Allaf,Nahid10 Ambtman,Erick11 Aminzadah,Sharif12 Ancy,Rani13 Andriuk,Terry14 Atia,Nadra15 Au,Veronica16 Baba,Randa17 Baergen,Don18 Begashaw,Lule19 Beiner,Susann20 Bekono,Adelaide21 Bhavsar,Karuna22 Bradley,Karen23 Budnick,Annie24 Cai,Qing25 Cerna,Ariela26 Chan,Mei-Chi27 Chang,Jianmin28 Chell,Wanda29 Chernaeva,Elena30 Chin,Wendy31 Croll,Su32 Cudmore,Valerie33 Davis,Ronda34 Dean,Doreen35 Deen-Kamara,Bandalay36 Diaz,Dorys37 Doane,Gail38 Duong,Christine39 ElSaghir,Mohamed40 ElSaghir,Siham41 El-Bouhali,Chouaib42 Eltayb,Ala43 Fatona,Olutoyin44 Garang,Aluk45 Garcia-Hoyt,Delmy46 Gross,Suzanne47 Grossi,Daisy
48 Grover,Shikha49 Guleed,Nuro50 Hagenimana,Jerome51 Hall,Beth52 Haq,Riazul53 Hassan,Aisha54 Hassan,Ayan55 Hauer,Laurie56 Huizinga,Dolores57 Ivanyk,Lesya58 Jeannotte,Amy59 Johal,Rajinder60 Johnson,Elsie61 Kater,Marilyn62 Khader,Rukhsana63 Khalema,Ernest64 Khan,Aftab65 Khan,Noreen66 Kim,Eun-Jin67 Klettke,Meghan68 Klinck,Louise69 Kurien,Bonnie70 Lako,Lucia71 Lawson-body,Yolande72 Linschoten,Karin73 LopezVillegas,Nayar74 Lopez,Digna75 Lopez,Greg76 Loteka,Rita77 Lu,Peiwen78 Luri,Joseph79 Mahdi,Ali80 Manginsay,Glynis81 Mann,Elaine82 Matthews,Karen83 Mendoza,Deanna84 Muganga,Lawrence85 Nunez,Ana86 Nur,Fatima87 Nutter,Monique88 Odegard,Charlynn89 Oliver-McBride,Marty90 Orobio,Jaime91 Osman,Said92 Parekh,Sunita93 Patel,Prakash94 Phan,Oanh
95 Pratoomporn,Sam96 Raulin,Laurel97 Rempel,Judy98 Ripley,Daniel99 Ruhigisha,Joy100 Sabour,Arzoo101 Sabra,Sanaa102 Saksaranrome,Wanna103 Salat,Ashish104 Sami,Lubna105 Schmuhl,Chissa106 Schmuhl,Derrick107 Scott,Jacqueline108 Shahid,Muhammad109 Shan,Ying110 Shebanksy,William111 Sicilia,Juan112 Sillito,Judy113 Siltan,Asmarech114 Singh,Amarjot115 Smolova,Klara116 Sommers,Jane117 Sotonwa,Nicole118 Stevens,Amy119 Stogrin,Nicole120 Sugulle,Hussein121 Swayne,Ludivina(Marcella)122 Tadaiyon,Sepideh123 Tesfaslasie,Zige124 Trembly,Rispah125 Ukubalidet,Yosief126 Uwera,Margaret127 Villegas,AdarveNancy128 Virji,Yasmin129 Warsame,Halimo130 Wiyual,John131 Woldehanna,Meseret132 Woldeyohnnes,Tigist133 Wong,Betty134 Wong,Nettie135 Yesufu,Rafiat136 Yirsaw,Yohannes137 Yousuf,Tuttun138 Yussuf,Hodan139 Zacharias,Lillian140 Zalcik,James
2011-2012 EMCN STAFF
95 Pratoomporn,Sam96 Raulin,Laurel97 Rempel,Judy98 Ripley,Daniel99 Ruhigisha,Joy100 Sabour,Arzoo101 Sabra,Sanaa102 Saksaranrome,Wanna103 Salat,Ashish104 Sami,Lubna105 Schmuhl,Chissa106 Schmuhl,Derrick107 Scott,Jacqueline108 Shahid,Muhammad109 Shan,Ying110 Shebanksy,William111 Sicilia,Juan112 Sillito,Judy113 Siltan,Asmarech114 Singh,Amarjot115 Smolova,Klara116 Sommers,Jane117 Sotonwa,Nicole118 Stevens,Amy119 Stogrin,Nicole120 Sugulle,Hussein121 Swayne,Ludivina(Marcella)122 Tadaiyon,Sepideh123 Tesfaslasie,Zige124 Trembly,Rispah125 Ukubalidet,Yosief126 Uwera,Margaret127 Villegas,AdarveNancy128 Virji,Yasmin129 Warsame,Halimo130 Wiyual,John131 Woldehanna,Meseret132 Woldeyohnnes,Tigist133 Wong,Betty134 Wong,Nettie135 Yesufu,Rafiat136 Yirsaw,Yohannes137 Yousuf,Tuttun138 Yussuf,Hodan139 Zacharias,Lillian140 Zalcik,James
EMCNdeliversawidevarietyofpart-timeoptionsforEnglishlanguageclassesandcontinuestobealeaderinthecityinLINCandincreativeprogrammingthatrespondswelltotheneedsofnon-traditionalstudents-thosewithlittleformaleducationandliteracyskillsintheirfirstlanguage,withmultiplebarrierstolearningincludingfinancialandtimestressors,largefamilies,andminimalsupports.
ThisyearweembarkedonanationalpilotprojectsponsoredbyCitizenshipandImmigrationCanadatointroduceportfolio-basedlanguageassessment(PBLA)intothefederally-fundedLanguageInstructionforNewcomerstoCanada(LINC)program.
Hereareourstatisticsfortheyear.
SummaryofLanguageServicesTypeofClass NumberofstudentsperyearLINCClasses 20part-timeclasses;childcareavail-
able800
LINCforSeniors 1classservingBhutaneserefugeeswithdisabilities
40
CommunityEnglishLanguageClasses
7classeshelddowntownandwestend
200
EnglishlanguageforSeniors
6classeshelddowntown 250
EnglishlanguageforparentsinTransitionSchools
4classesheldatBalwinandMcCau-leySchools
100
ParentingandLiteracy 4classesformomswithpre-schoolchildren,childcareincluded
75
EnglishforTemporaryForeignWorkers
Inexpensivefee-for-serviceclassesintheeveninglocateddowntown
40
ACETESOLTeacherTrainingProgram
Offeredtwiceayear;100hourpro-gramplus20hourpracticum;recog-nizedbyTESLCanada
20
1520
Language Services
2012 RISE AWARDS
2012 RISE AWARDS
TheCommunityAwardswerealsoheldattheWestinasareceptionintheevening.Wellover230peopleattendedthiscolourfuleventthatfeatureddance,musicandpoetry.
CommunityLeadershipAward:AbdulAzizKhan.Dr.KhanhasreflectedleadershipqualitiessincehisarrivaltoCanadain1975.HeisawellknownandrespectedvolunteerintheEdmontonMuslimcommunity.
CommunityInitiativeAward(Individual):WilsonDaved.Mr.Davedisarespectedbusinessprofessionalaswellasaleaderintheareaofrefugeesponsorshipandsupport.
Arts,CultureandAthleticsAward:AhmedAli.ASomalibornCanadianpoet,AhmedAliisastrongrolemodelforyouthandisthepoetinresidenceatEMCN.
YouthAchievementAward:AbdulrashidAli.CurrentlyastudentatQueenElizabethHigh,AbdulrashidcametoCanadain2005fromarefugeecampinKenya.HeiswellrespectedbyhisSomalipeers.
CommunityInitiativeAward(Organization):EdmontonHeritageDaysFestival.Forover30yearsthisfestivalisCanada’slargestmulticulturalcelebration.The3dayeventattracts300,000peoplewhoareeagertolearnaboutandcelebratedifferentcultures.
LifetimeAchievementAward:HankZyp.Mr.ZypcametoCanadawithlittleeducationandfinancesin1953.Hesucceededinbecomingateacherand,withhiswifeTillie,ledalifededicatedtohelpingothersbothhereandabroad.
EdmontonMennoniteCentreforNewcomerswouldliketoacknowledgeoursponsorsandpartnersfortheRISEAwards.WeespeciallyacknowledgeandthankNorQuestCollegewhichhassupportedtheeventforthelastthreeyears.
NorQuestCollegeCTVWorleyParsonsCoSynNAITMcElhanneyERIECTheWestinInviteRightEdmontonMennoniteCentreforNewcomers
The RISE awards are the signature event for Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers. Through them we recognize the invaluable support of employers and individuals who show leadership, responsibility and a commitment to the community.
The2012RISEAwardswereheldonWednesday,May30thattheWestinHotel.TheEmployerAwardsceremonywasanenjoyableeventthatfocusedonthededicationandpassionoftherecipients.
StrategicLeadershipAward:EnbridgePipelines.Thisawardrecognizesanemployerwhodemonstratesstrategicleadershipthroughthedevelopmentandimplementationofaninitiativethatbreaksdownemploymentbarriersforemployees.
IndividualAchievementAward:MarthaVega-Smith(EnbridgePipelines).MsVega-Smithisrecognizedforleadershipandinnovationinintegratinginternationallytrainedprofessionals.
SmallBusinessExcellence:UpsideSoftware.Thiscompanyhasimplementedprogramsandpracticesthataddressoneofthefollowing:attraction,retention,integrationordevelopmentofinternationallytrainedprofessionals.
ERIECMentoring:OMNITelevision.Thisawardacknowledgesanemployerforoutstandingcontributionsinsupportingandpromotingcareerdevelopmentofthroughmentorshipinanorganizationorinthe community.
OutstandingWorkplaceAward:CanadaSafeway.Thisawardrecognizesanemployerthathasestablishedculturaldiversity,practicesandinitiativesthatfacilitatesuccessintheworkplace.
Learning the Language Learning the Land
ThisyearEMCNsponsoredfiveweekendcampingtripsforimmigrantfamilies:threetripstoMiquelonLake,twotripstoDinosaurProvincialParkandoneweekendexcursiontoJasperNationalPark.InJasper,newcomershadthechancetohike,cycle,gorockclimbing,participateincampfiregamesledbyvolunteersfromScoutsCanada and share their food with others aroundacollectivecampkitchen.
TheGlobalVoicesChoirvisitedDinosaurProvincialParkwheretheyperformedataspecialCitizenshipCeremony.Theweatheralldaywasspectacularandthepeople-allfirsttimecampers-werefilledwithexcitement.Aftereveryonewassnuggleddowninthetents,however,arainstormblewinunexpectedly.Severaltentswereflattenedbytheheavywind,pegsbegantodislodge,andthethunderandlightningaddedfulldramatotheevent.Thefirsttimecamperswerefrightenedasstaffranfromtenttotenttosecuretentsandreassurecampers.Inthemorningthesunwaswarmandbrilliant.Thecampersemergedfromtheirtentsburstingwithprideandeagertorecounttheirstories.Theynowfelttruly“Canadian”.InvaryingdegreesofEnglish,thecamperstalkedaboutthisastheirfirsttimetodisplaytheirownpersonalcouragesincecomingtoCanada,andtheyfeltarenewedconfidenceinthemselves.
Thisprogramisuniqueinitsmergingofeducationalobjectivesinlanguagelearningandenvironmentalliteracywithanintegrationexperienceinaparkssettingandthushasreceivedpublicinterest.AteamofresearchersfromMacEwanUniversityandStFrancisXavierUniversityreleasedafullresearchreportandhaspublishedseveralacademicpapersabouttheproject;andacrewfromOMNItelevisionhasjustreleasedafull-lengthdocumentaryaboutthecampingtripscalledNature’sInvitation.
Global Voices ChoirGlobalVoicesChoircontinuestosingthemessageofEMCNvaluesthroughoutthecityandprovince.Comprisedofover40people,thisgroupofCanadiansandnewcomers,youngandold,employeesofEMCNandpeopleusingsingingasawaytolearnEnglish,performsmonthlyatavarietyofpublicevents.ThisyeartheyperformedatCityHall,atWorldRefugeeDay,atfundraisersandcommunityeventsandforaspecialCitizenshipCeremonyheldatDinosaurProvincialPark.TheChoirwasalsonominatedfortheYMCAPeaceAward.
Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.
Author Unknown
Theyear2011-2012saw335wonderfulvolunteersperform
9,578hoursofvaluableworkforTheEdmontonMennoniteCentreforNewcomers. AsinterimCoordinatorofVolunteerServices,Ihadtheprivilegeofmeetingmanyveryinterestingandtalentedpeople.Also,throughtheirvolunteerplacements,Ilearnedmuchmoreaboutthescoresofservicesofferedbyouragency.ThemoreIlearn,themoreIamawedbythededicationandvisionofallthestaffandvolunteerswhoareinvolvedwiththisagency.
EachyeartherearemanypeoplewhocomethroughEMCNlookingforvolunteerwork.Theywanttogiveback,ortheywanttogainexperienceordevelopskills.Someadmiretheworkdonehereandwanttobeapartofit.Somearewithusforjustafewmonthsbuttheircontributionsareinvaluable.Othersarewithusforyears,addingconsistencytoprogramsaswellastheirownpersonalities,passion,talentanddedication.
Inrecognitionofallourvolunteers,thispastMarchweunveiledalargepermanentmural;treesagainstabluebackgroundwith“brass”engravedleaves.Allstaffwhoworkwithvolunteersintheirprogramswereaskedtosubmitadjectivesthatdescribedthevolunteersintermsofpersonalqualitiesortheworktheydo.Wehadthesewordsengravedontheleavesthenplacedthemthroughoutthebranchesofthemural.
Thenextphaseofthisprojectistoaddthenamesoflongtermvolunteers.Tobegin,wehaveaddedthenameofoneparticularvolunteer,PatZimmer,inrecognitionoftheoutstandingdedicationshehasshowntotheEdmontonMennoniteCentreforNewcomers.Pathasworkedwithussincethe1980s,longerthanmostofthestaff!
Inthemonthsaheadwewilladdmorenamestothemuralandinthissenseitisanongoingproject.Ifyouhaven’tseenit,itcanbefoundonthemainflooratourheadquartersbuilding.
Abdolrazaghi,AzadehAbdullah,RadhdaAbdullah,TahaAbel,EliseAbla,EsenamAdria,KathyAfele,GuenetAfzal,FarahAhmed,FaizaAlemi,BekeleAlemseged,MaskalamAli,HibaAlmaouad,GhadahAlsherbiny,RobaAlwedo,JoanAmaratunge,MalshaAmirult,WilmaAshraf,ZozanAssefa,ZelalemAtique,HumnaAttar-Hannan,WidadAu,AprilAu,VeronicaBaergen,IreneBaergen,JoyceBaergen,DonBanks,PatBargen,NeilBartelNickel,LynneaBauer,BonnieBekono,AdelaideBentley,DonnaBentley,NoelBerih,ZufanBestman,MirandaBhavsar,KarunaBobol,MargaretBosson,AtandePaulinBoyd,Alicia
Bradley,KarenBrodacki,JenniferBrown,EricaBrunn,MargotCadrin,NicoleCampbell-Pearse,ShirleyCart,KathyCastro,DanrieCerna,ArielaChacon,DanielChambers,DesireeChammout,JomanaChau,WendyChernik,AliciaChute,DennisClarke,ShannonCollins,MeganConnell,CindyCouch,JoannaCrowell,VickiCruz,TeodeletteCvijic,JelisavaDavies,ChristineDawson,BonnieDeBoeck,NyckideSantos,MeryDean,DoreenDehlehhosseinzadeh,HamidDemeter,KelseyDennis,SheenaDerian,JalalDixon,KimberlynDonald,TarynDu,MaryDu,SophieDuranLopez,MagdalenaDyck,CarolEdiger,Alyse
Eggert,DanielElassal,SuleimaElena,MariaEl-Kalany,WadihEnns,RickEntz,DonnaEntz,LorenErickson,DavidEsau,ShaunEspiritu,AnitaEwenson,LindaFacette,MichelleFan,DianFarah,DeqaFeser,TiffanyFikremarim,GeoregiorgisFish,JimFraser,HelenGallo,AdrianaGao,MiaoGarcia,DinorahGarcia,MarinaGarcia,RogerGarpan,PeterMaliahGebraselasie,LemienGebremedhin,KibromGill,JaspreetGordon,AndreaGowreesunker,PraveerGross,NaomiGrover,ShikhaGuillaume,AugustHabiballa,ShamaHagos,FreweianKidaneHallam,BillHamamoto,SakiHanson,KarieHaq,RiazulHarcus,Jeanette
EMCN VOLUNTEERSTHANK YOU2011-2012
EMCN VOLUNTEERSHassan,AmalHassan,OmarHeine,DorothyHenderson,KaileyHenderson,LeslieHermila,Rodas&RawelHernandez,JoseBarredaHicks,MaryHo,WilmaHoyt,MichaelHuizinga,MelleHurlburt,NoraIki,AyanaInglis,PeterIppolito,BobJagiello-Cathcart,MariaJanzen,SueJeanotte,AmyJess,AllenJin,YuChaoJobal,NasrinJohnson,ElsieJohnston,MargaretKamal,AnitaKarbani,YusufKargbo,DorcasKarmali,SofiaKaushal,SantoshKawKu,SharKeji,ChristineKendal,ElaineJeanKey,ScottKhader,RukhsanaKhoja,AminaKhoja,Laila
Kihuyu,MainaKings’UniversityGroupKirbyson,CeliaKlettke,MeghanKopecky,JaniceKoyama,TatsuyaKrill,JustinKuai,SulanKyakuwa,MargaretLacoursiere,KristinLadd,BrianLakew,AlemetsehayLama,DeepakLane,CarlieLaurie,DaveLaurie,DavidLaurie,JanetLaurie,JoanLaurie,KatharineLee,JeongHeeLewis,RusselLila,NaslanLink,KarenLiu,HeLogan,AugustusLopez,DignaLopez,MagdalenaLu,CathyLu,DahaiLu,TiantianLu,WendyLu,YujieLynch,RuthLyone,JayneMacaraig,Julita
Machtoub,JanetMaelwas,RollyBryanMagana,JesusMago,MetchelGedayaMagok,YaiMahon,AshleyManginsay,GlynisMann,ElaineMari,LauraMauthe,MariaMazumder,SultanaMcCoy,DanielleMcDonald,KelseyMcIntosh,JoAnnMcKeen,ScottMcLung,PennyMehari,ZuftanMelhem,LayalMendoza,PeterMengsteab,TeberhMiller,BobMiranda,LuzMariaMirza,SoheraSaharMirza,TariqMirza,ZareenMohammed,IvieMohammed,MalakMurekatete,EsperanceMurphy,KaraNayanika,KumarNepal,PrekshyaNieuwenhuis,GregNikakhtari,ZaraNisa,AshrafUnNorrbom,Stacy
We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our
youth for the future. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Nshimirimana,ClaudetteNunes,NicoleNyanzaza,BeathieOanh,PhanO’Brien,AllenOliver-McBride,MartyOngkiko,PilitaOrobio,JimmyOrr,ChantelOsman,SaidOzarko,GalynaPanchal,SamirParram,DonathPaudel,KrishnaShramaPelletier,JanetPetrosky,JillianPetrov,DanielaPich,AnthonyPoon,VioletPower,PaulineProvencal,WayneQingping,CindyQuapp,MaryRadyo,AnnaRaghe,WardaRahman,TamalikaRaulin,LaurelRemesovscaia,AnaRemple,JudithRemple,LeeRennie,TrinaReynolds,JaniceRos,NaryrathRoulson,ChrisSabour,ArezooSaid,Janate
Sakriye,MohamedSalinas,DilmaSandoval,MariaJocelynSawyer,LynnSchmuhl,ChissaScott,AubreyScott,JacquelineScott,LowellSekhon,SurpreetSerrano,JunShaposhnikov,IritShaposhnikov,MicheallaSharma,JyotiShawa,AgnesSherk,MartaSifuentes,ZoilaSitu,SamuelSlobod,CharitySoares,FatimaSommers,JaneSong,BentonSt.Arnault,DavidStork,JeremyStrauss,ChrisStrong,SharonSultana,IrfanSumar,ShazinSutton,HarrySyeda,ParveenTaira,NorikoTam,AlbertTaniguchi,RonTegenge,GenetTerada,TaichiTesfamariam,DawnTesfamarian,Salome
Thiessen,MeaganThursby,DorothyToews,GuentherToews,RuthToro,EdwinTrinityManorTenantsUkubalidet,YosiefUniversityofAlbertaInternationalVelasquezdeSoto,CarmenVervoorst,SylviaVieira,RenataFragaBarbosaVisser,LouiseVriend,NormaWagenvoort,JessicaWall,KarleenWang,BobbyWang,KunWay,RobertWeghata,SalomeWestonBenjaminWevik,HelenWiens,MatWilliams,SarahWilson,RodWintonyk,LeahWong,NettieWoodward,AmandaYan,JunYaqub,SofiaYesufu,RafiatYussuf,HodanZacharias,LillianZahir,NasimZheng,JudyZielsdorf,MargaretZip,Erin
The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others. Mohandas Gandhi
EMCN is blessed by the many rich partnerships that have evolved over the years as we collaborate to combine talents and expertise to deliver programs and services for newcomers. Below are the projects that have benefited from collaborative partnering:
Program/Project/Event Partner(s)/ Sponsor(s)RISE
(Recognizing Immigrant Success in Edmonton)
Edmonton Regional Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC); Norquest ; NAIT, Worley-Parsons Co-syn; McElhanney; CTV, OMNI
Language Services City of Edmonton, First Baptist Church, Aga Khan Foundation, LINC Projects Office
Learning the Language Learning the Land: Camp-ing for Newcomers
Parks Alberta, Jasper National Park, Elk Island National Park, Brewster Bus lines, Mountain Equip-ment Co-op, Scouts Canada, City of Edmonton Parks, OMNI
After-school and summer programming for children and youth
REACH Edmonton – Schools as Hubs, Family Centre; Action for Healthy Communities, YMCA, Edmonton Public Library, Islamic Family Social Ser-vices Association, City of Edmonton
REACH Immigrant and Refugee Initiative Multi-cultural Health Brokers Coop; Changing To-gether, Catholic Social Services
Community Development Partnership: Working Group
Alberta Culture, Action for Healthy Communities; Multi-cultural Coalition, City of Edmonton
Entrepreneurship Training Wildman Institute, Business Link- Immigrant Entre-preneurs Mentorship Program
Community Kitchen First Baptist Church, Alberta Health ServicesEmployment Bridging Programs NAIT , The Association of Science and Engineering
Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET), Certi-fied General Accountants (CGA), Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC), McElhan-ney, Certified Management Accountants of Alberta, Chartered Accountants of Alberta, Worley-Parsons, KPMG, Deloitte, Landmark Group, Judy Saylor, Co-Syn, PCL, Flint Energy, Enbridge, Sherrit, Rotaflow Controls, Engineers Without Borders
Temporary Foreign Worker program Catholic Social Services, Temporary Foreign Worker Advisory Office, ActAlberta, Edmonton Community Legal Centre, Multicultural Health Brokers, Edmon-ton Immigrant Services Association (EISA)
Welcome Centre for Immigrants (WCI) Catholic Social Services, Indo-Canadian Women’s Association, Edmonton Community Foundation, City of Edmonton
Housing Works Capital Region Housing CorporationPracticum work experience MacEwan Nursing , Child and Youth, Social Work
Programs; Norquest Social Work Program; Univer-sity of Calgary Social Work program
World of Story Multi-cultural Health Brokers Coop, ASSIST Com-munity Services
Health & Wellbeing Services Partners Multicultural Health Brokers Coop, Edmonton Cath-olic School Board (St. Elizabeth School), REACH Edmonton, Government of Alberta: Child & Family Services (now part of Human Services), Addiction & Mental Health, Edmonton Public School Board, City of Edmonton, Catholic Social Services, Changing Together, Oromo Community, The Good Food Box
Collaborations and Partnerships
Organization DonorsTheRiverCommunityChurchEarth’sGeneralStoreDeloitteandToucheUniversityofAlbertaInternationalHousePaulKaneHighSchoolTELUSCorporationMcElhanneyLandSurveysLtd.CapitalPowerCorporationAL-TERRAEngineeringLtd.Union52BenevolentSocietyShoresJardineLLPBarristers&SolicitorsLimakInvestmentsWestendChristianReformedChurchDeaconateWalmartCanadaCorporationCanadaHelpsUW-BarbaraLeahQueenElizabethHighSchoolFellowshipChristianReformedChurchDiscountCarandTruckRentalsCombinedInsuranceCompanyHollyTurnerCityofEdmontonBeatriceStevensMemorialFoundationInc.BuchananEastwoodUnitedChurchHolyroodMennoniteChurchTheDianneandIrvingKipnesFoundationFirstMennoniteChurchNorquestCollegeLendrumMennoniteBrethrenChurchRoyalAlexandraHospitalEmployeeCharitableDonationsFundHabitatforHumanityCombinedInsuranceCompanyofAmericaDonateaCarCanada
Individual DonorsC.RoderickWilsonYonathanNegussieAnjaliAgarwalRitaJagerElizabethMcCrumAliMahdiLyndonandSandraWilliams-EppOttoandLorraineBraunLanaGutwinValerieDennisLaurieHauerMaryKuschkePaulandHelenWhiteJimHoangKarlLumnitzerSaulZalikTimothyandJaniceHaakRichardPaulEppRudyandTenaWiebeMarkHeuleKololaAugouL.GaumontMaryTrumpenerLornaSutherlandBruceandJanetAndersonRudyandHeidiKornelsonNeilBargenPaulPrechtHaroldWiensRobertandFrancesLoewenAnnetteBalkwillHarryandJeanBauerGaryFriesenMichelBelangerA.HelenaVothMathewandKimberlyWiensIsaacGlickSuzanneGrossDanielEggertEdmondHamreTineSteen-DekkerJacobGandIreneBaergenJeromeHagenimanaDavidandJeanLefeverAna NunezSheronPickardAndrewandMariaCathcartAngieLabergeStephenandLynnMandel
Life is never so busy that there is no time to serve. Author Unknown
SaidOsmanEdithMcKeenDuncanMcKeenMaryKutschkeRobertandGretchenBrundinMoniqueNutterDouglasJ.RocheWayneProvencalMatthewandKimberlyWiensDonaldandShirleyCampbell-PearseDoloresHuizingaJohnandEleanoreRempel-WoollardLillianZacaariasMorleyandValBlanchJamesandGwenethMabbottD.H.orMaryE.QuappTimandEmilyVanderwekkenHenryandJadwigaKalkeCarolAllenMichaelTilleardRonaldA.andHertaM.ThiessenJeffandJessicaKlassen-FriesenJacobD.andHellaHarderPrakashA.PatelTimothyHartnagelWaldemarFriesenHenryGroenendykAdolfandEileenLoefflerTzgeredaTesfaslaslie
JudySillitoLorneBuhrSimonYuThomasandNancyVanDrielDeannaMendozaErickAmbtmanRonaldandLavonHolgateErichandLaurelRaulinBandalayDeen-KamaraDonBaergenChouaibEl-BouhaliMuhammadShahidTracyApollHarveyKrahnSofiaKarmaliHenryJanzenWilliamHallamPeterMacaskillJudyRempelSheilaHolzerCharlesNeillAlanHodgsonAnnaSmallwoodDianeKlassen-FriesenShirleyStinsonMarianWilliamsMarioandGlynisManginsay
TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER SUPPORT SERVICES 2011-2012EdmontonMennoniteCentreforNewcomersTemporaryForeignWorkerSupportServicesProgramprovidedarangeofservicestoatotal
of 1351 workersduringthepastyear.Theseincludedoutreach,groupinformationsessions,permanentresidenceworkshops,referralsandbasicsupportsincludingfood,emergencyshelterandawiderangeofotheressentialservices.ThemajorityoftheworkerswerefromMexicoandthePhilippines.
EMCNhasbeenhostinginter-agencymeetingswithagenciesliketheEdmontonCommunityLegalCentre,EdmontonImmigrantServicesAssociation,MulticulturalHealthBrokersandActAlbertaandparticipatinginmonthlymeetingswiththeTemporaryForeignWorkersAdvisoryOfficetonetworkwithotherfrontlineworkersandserviceproviderstoaddresscriticalissuesandtrends.Wehavehadanincredibleyearintermsofdoingcollaborativeworktocasemanagedifficultfilesandbuildworkingrelationshipswithemployersandothercommunitystakeholders.
Manyofthechallengesandproblemsthatariseforforeignworkersareofanimmigrationandlegalnature.WehavenoticedthattherehasbeenanincreasingneedforaffordableandaccessiblelegalservicesinEdmontonandwehavedevelopedastrongpartnershipwithEdmontonCommunityLegalCentretocoordinatereferralsforthosewhocannototherwiseaccessaffordablelegalservices.Clientsareextremelygratefulfortheservicesthatareprovidedthrougheveningandweekendclinics,andeducationalworkshops.
TheProgram’sSettlementPractitionersareproudtohaveassistedseveralindividualswhosesuccessesincludedwagesrecoveredfromemployersbyEmploymentStandards,emergencyassistancetobridgeworkersthroughdifficulttimes,informedguidanceforworkpermitapplicationsandpathstopermanentresidence.
Asaprogramandanagency,wecontinuallystrivetoincreaseourcapacity,knowledgeandavenuesforopencommunicationwithotherstofindsolutionsinareasofextremesensitivity.Toencourageasenseofcommunityandshowoursupportofappreciationforworkersandtheirfamilies,theProgramhostedaChristmasparty.TheFirstBaptistChurchprovidedthevenue,andHelpingHandsofHopeprovidedthefunding,thecooksandvolunteerstocatertheevent.Over200peopleparticipatedinthefestivities.Intheupcomingyear,weareexploringsomenewandinnovativeapproachestoprovidingservices.
Charity sees the need, not the cause.German Proverb
Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN)11713-82Street,EdmontonABT5B2V9Phone:780-424-7709Fax:780-424-7736
EMCN Career and Employment Services8914-118Avenue,EdmontonABT5B0T6Phone:780-421-7400Fax:780-428-4252
EMCN at the Welcome Centre for Immigrants#335,TowerII,MilbourneMarketMall(38AvenueandMillwoodsRoad),EdmontonABT5K3L6
Phone:780-462-6924Fax:780-466-6594
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS FUNDERS
Our prayers for others flow more easily than those for ourselves. This shows we are made to live by charity.
C.S.Lewis