Working with Newcomers in

Rural and Small Urban

Communities

Robyn Wisken

Manager Newcomer Services,

Newmarket Welcome Centre

March 18, 2014.

“Cultural competence or the lack of it

will be reflected in how communities

relate to and interact with service

providers and their representatives.”

*www.childwelfare.gov

Presentation Overview

1. Experience of Immigration in Simcoe County

2. Connecting with Newcomers in Rural

Communities

3. Maximizing Agency Resources for

Newcomer Programming

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wed. Thursday Friday Saturday

Meet

Child’s

Teacher

Farmers’

Market

Bank

Appt.

Groceries Dr. Appt.

Place of

Worship

Winter

Tires

Borrow

Book

from

Library

Renew

Driver’s

License

Meet

Friends

for

Dinner

Attend

Job Fair

Speak

with

Registrar

at the

College

EXPERIENCE OF

IMMIGRATION IN SIMCOE

COUNTY

Who are the Newcomers in

Simcoe County?

• In 2010 there were a total of 650 New Immigrants who

landed directly in Simcoe County, increasing by 260

(67%) since 2000

• Nearly half (49%) were

between the ages of

25 to 44

• 69% over the age of 18

were married or common-law

*Source: CIC Data Cube 2000-2010, analyzed by County of Simcoe. Presentation available at: sclip.simcoe.ca

Strengths of Rural Communities

Community Immigrant Retention Rural Ontario (CIRRO)

Attractiveness Indicators (8 Themes):

1.Health

2.Housing

3.Innovation

4.Society

5.Amenities

6.Economy

7.Education

8.Overall newcomer

attractiveness measure

* www.omaf.gov.on.ca

Cultural Groups in Simcoe

County

• Barrie and Area Chinese Community Association

• Barrie Latin Club

• Barrie Latin Cultural Association

• Barrie Latin Resource Centre

• Bayanihan Club of Simcoe County

• Club Richelieu, Penetanguishene

• Filipino Canadian Association of Barrie and Suburban Areas

• Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre

• Irish Cladding Club of Barrie & District

• Jewish Community of Barrie (JACOB)

• Ladies Lunch - Alliston

• Portuguese Cultural Centre of Bradford

• Ranji Singh Foundation

• St Andrew's Society of Simcoe County *Source: immigration.simcoe.ca/welcome

Top Settlement Activities

Mobile Unit Conducts

• Information /

Orientation

• Adjustment

Counselling

• Filling in Forms

• Language

Assessments

• Employment

Guidance and

Support

Challenges of Newcomers

In Rural Communities

• Meaningful

Employment

• Accessing

Resources

• Language

• *Transportation

“Our newcomers need information in different

areas, they need support in order to settle in,

we have many programs in Ontario but we don't

know how to access.

Sometimes our newcomers

don't speak English, they don't have family

around.

You’re doing an excellent job when you're

listening our community' necessities

and provide people information and connecting them

with the right programs.”

(Community Leader from a Simcoe County Cultural Group )

STRATEGIES FOR

CONNECTING WITH

NEWCOMERS

“Cultural competence is a vehicle used

to broaden our knowledge and

understanding of individuals and

communities.”

*www.childwelfare.gov

Welcoming Environment

• Trusted Person

• Mission Statement

• Imagery Used

• Materials in Lobby

• Translation /

Interpretation

Cultural Faux Pas

• Understand the Mistake

• Make Peace

• Move On

Culturally Competent Outreach

Going Out, Reaching Out

• Attend local festivals and events

• Community centres

• Libraries

• Family centred activities

• Common public locations:

mailboxes, Laundromats,

convenience stores,

gas stations, newspapers,

211/Community Connection,

Simcoe County Immigration

Portal

• Places of worship

• Ethno-cultural groups

MAXIMIZING ORGANIZATION

RESOURCES FOR

NEWCOMER PROGRAMMING

Collaboration

Settlement Agencies

Mainstream Service

Providers

Newcomers

Adapting Mainstream

Programming * Need to understand and incorporate the priorities

and values of the target group

Considerations • Connect with other Newcomers

• Learn about Canadian Culture

• Transportation

• Child Care

• Cultural Differences

• Date / Time

• Food / Dietary Restrictions

• Guest Speakers

• Speaking Slowly

• Family Needs Assessment / Family Structure

• Checking-in with Clients

Thank You.

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