Building a Welcoming & Inclusive Community Through Recreation

February 25, 2016

Lisa McLaughlin, Program Manager – Communities ChooseWell

Alberta Recreation and Parks Association

Alberta’s Changing Demographics

In 2011/12, AB’s growth rate was more than 2x as high as the national average2

• Top source countries: Philippines, India, China, UK Half of AB immigrants are aged 25-442 AB immigrants account for 21% of working age population2 Most immigrants who move to Alberta are well educated1,2

AB is expected to receive ~3000 Syrian refugees from 2015-16

What is a Welcoming and Inclusive Community?

Ensures newcomers have the opportunity to participate fully in the social, cultural and economic life of a community, without discrimination.1, 2

Ensures newcomers have access to a full range of services and programs.2

Has a strong desire to receive newcomers and create an environment where they will feel at home.2

What is Recreation?

The experience that results from freely chosen participation in physical, social, intellectual, creative and spiritual pursuits that enhance individual and community wellbeing. Freely chosen participation – alone or with others Varied activities Structured or unstructured Fosters wellbeing of individuals, communities and environments

Benefits of Recreation

Personal health and wellbeing Individual and community quality of life Human development Builds strong families and healthy communities Reduces self-destructive and anti-social behaviours Reduces health care, social service, police and justice costs Generates economic opportunity Environmental and ecological wellbeing

http://arpaonline.ca/research/benefits-hub/

Benefits of Recreation

Participation in recreational activities can contribute to an improved level of quality of life. Participation in sports, joining clubs or groups, and taking music, dance or art lessons are examples of ways in which (young) people can participate in their community, learn new skills, and socialize beyond their family boundaries (Canadian Council on Social Development, 2001)

Recreation and Inclusion

Leisure activities are a unique integrating opportunity and a normalizing influence on the life of newcomers1

Recreation brings communities together1

Recreation and leisure programs bring together people with similar interests and preferences2

Many recreational opportunities are ongoing, allowing people to meet and interact with each other over an extended period of time2

Recreation and Inclusion

5 goals: 1. Active Living 2. Inclusion & Access 3. Connect People & Nature 4. Supportive Environments 5. Recreation Capacity

Municipalities Can:

Develop and implement strategies and policies to ensure that all families or individuals are able to access public recreation opportunities.

Ensure community facilities, services and programs are accessible and affordable. • How do newcomers learn about them? • Are there barriers to access (e.g. cost, language, residency

requirements)? Reach out to newcomers and invite them to participate. Use existing structures and spaces for recreation, such as schools,

churches, vacant lots, etc. to make recreation opportunities more accessible.

Municipalities Can:

Address the historical, cultural and social barriers to participation experienced by girls and women, and apply a gender equity lens when developing and monitoring policies, programs and practices to support women and girls to participate fully in all types of recreation.

Develop leisure literacy through targeted recreation education campaigns that increase knowledge about how recreation contributes to enjoyment and quality of life, and help people to acquire the skills and attitudes they need to plan for making recreation a part of their lives.

Municipalities Can:

Provide recreational opportunities and experiences that are respectful and appropriate for various ethno-cultural groups. • Actively engage persons of diverse and racialized backgrounds in

developing, leading and evaluating recreation and park activities. • Involve immigrants and refugees who are already established in

your community. Provide cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity training for

staff, coaches and administrators to ensure programs and services meet the needs of newcomers.

Collaborate with settlement agencies.

ACE Diversity Friendly Communities

Community capacity building using ACE Change Framework with diversity focus 4 communities

• Grande Cache, Jasper, Rocky Mountain House, Carstairs Leaders’ retreat/training, community ignite events,

community building workshops and scanning events, seed funding, coaching, webinars

ACE DFC Community Initiatives Welcoming Newcomers project – created new staff position and volunteer

connectors in each neighbourhood to help newcomers feel connected and involved

Engaged high school leadership students to explore how their school community could be more diversity friendly

Introduced newcomers to outdoor recreation by hosting workshops and camps about hiking and camping

Installed “neutral language” signs on trail systems Held holiday dinner for newcomers at Christmas Community activities to celebrate differences: community storybook,

graffiti wall, community quilt, community dinner, documentary

Resources Framework for Recreation in Canada 2015 –

Pathways to Wellbeing ACE Communities Scanning Tool – Diversity Friendly Lens Abundant Communities Communities ChooseWell

• Success Travels High Five® and Aboriginal High Five® programs Human Rights Education and

Multiculturalism Fund SPARC BC – social inclusion toolkits & manuals Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against

Racism and Discrimination Toolkit Pathways to Prosperity: Canada – Sports & Recreation and Integrative

Tools Project

Alberta Recreation and Parks Association

11759 Groat Road Edmonton, AB T5M 3K6

ph: 780-415-1745, fax: 780-451-7915

e-mail: arpa@arpaonline.ca

City of Brooks A Welcoming and Inclusive Community… …through Recreation

City of Brooks Community Profile

Located along Highway 1, approximately 190km southeast of Calgary and 110km northwest of Medicine Hat.

JBS meat processing plant – employs approximately 2,700 people Including a large # of New Canadians, Immigrants, Temporary

Foreign Workers and Refugees

“A community people are proud to call home.”

City of Brooks Demographics

“City of 100 Hellos” Population – 14,185 (Municipal Census, 2015)

Home to one of the most culturally diverse populations in Canada Approximately 20% visible minority 53+ different ‘mother tongue’ languages spoken (that are not an

official language - English or French)

(2011 – Canada Census)

A “Welcoming and Inclusive Community”

“The City of Brooks is committee to building a welcoming and inclusive community and workplace that helps sustain a cultural atmosphere that all residents can enjoy.”

“A welcoming and inclusive community is one which is free from discrimination and where residents feel able to participate in all aspects of the social, cultural and economic life of the city.”

Creating a culture (community) of inclusion Welcoming and Inclusive Community Committee

Inclusion Coordinator (50% position) leads committee 2 recreation staff on the committee

Brooks.ca Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Page

Special Events

Special Events (continued)

Venue/ Gathering Place for…

Eid al-Fitr/Ramadan prayers

Francophone Association Activities

Filipino Basketball League (2008 – 2013)

Canadian Citizenship Ceremonies

Programs and Initiatives

Women’s Only Swim

Cricket workshop/tournament

Futsal workshop/tournament

Learn to Skate

Youth Activation Program Pass (“YAPP”)

Recreation Fee Assistance Program

Creating a Culture (Community) of Inclusion

Identifying and reducing barriers

Building awareness

Creating opportunities for access

Developing relationships and partnerships

Creating a community of support (and pride!)

Where are we now?

Contact Information

Russ Tanner

Manager, Recreation and Facilities

City of Brooks

rtanner@brooks.ca

Randi McPhillips

Supervisor, Recreation Services

City of Brooks

rmcphillips@brooks.ca

Longview ‘s Journey to a Welcoming Inclusive

Community Via Recreation

Michele Geistlinger Longview A R C Society Feb 25th, 2016

If We Can Do It,

You Can Too!!

Longview a

Proud ChooseWell Community

“Xtreme Makeover” of Centennial Park, Rink and Municipal Green Space

• Combined effort of A R C, Longview Recreation

Board, Veteran’s Memorial and Serenity Park

Committee, a Supportive Council and many,

many Volunteers

• Funded by A.C.E. Seed funding, awards, grants,

fund raising, donations from Individuals,

Businesses, Corporations and Foundations

Our Project Wish List consisted of : A new junior and senior playground Outdoor fitness equipment New benches, picnic tables and litter receptacles Skate Park equipment Partnered with Recreation Board for Concrete pad in

outdoor rink Partnered with committee working on Veteran’s

Memorial and Legacy Memorial Park

Centennial Park

and Playground 2009

Let’s get everyone moving!!

Incorporate Playground with Fitness Park!!

• Create welcoming inclusive Park area with picnic tables, benches

and litter receptacles

• Create Junior and Senior Playground

• Surround playground with fitness equipment

• Parents/Grandparents can workout while children play

• More people will get more active more often!

2010 to the Present

Longview Village Office Veteran’s Memorial and Serenity Garden

Now What?? • A R C decided to apply for funding via the Alberta Government and

Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation to create a 15 week fitness

program in Centennial Park and to purchase additional fitness aides like weighted balls etc.

• We desired training on the new in ground equipment along with an outdoor fitness class

• No charge to participants, everyone welcome

GO ME!!

• As a result of the ASRPWF funding we created GO ME!! For Go Out Move and Exercise!!

• The outdoor classes worked beyond our wildest dreams

• Families were coming to the class together and their kids were busy playing in the park or

trying to copy their parents

• Folks coming from as far away as Black Diamond

• Youngest Participant - 2 years old

• Eldest Participant - 85 years young

As a result of the ASRPWF funding we set up our GO ME!! Fitness Program

A R C secured permission from Council to set up an Equipment Shed in Centennial Park

A R C purchased a variety of portable exercise aids to complement the 13 pieces of exercise equipment installed around the playground

We acquired matts, weighted balls, weighted hoops, balance aids, resistance bands and more!

Our Quest for a Healthy Engaged Active Lifestyle

Flash Forward 4 Years to Present

• The Playground/Fitness and park area have been used constantly

• It seems to be the most popular spot in the warm months for everyone including the

ethnically diverse members of our population to gather

• We have observed that the Moms that are of the Muslim faith will come and exercise apart

from us on the machines but at the same time as our classes. We have invited them to

partake which they have politely declined however their children will do the class and play on

our kid friendly equipment

Recreation, the park and food, a Common Love for all

Shin doing Karaoke During Culture Days

Drumming Circle for Culture Days

Artistic submission for Heritage at Culture Days

Picnic Celebration and Games in Park

Our “Kid Pack” that shows up when we exercise!

Issues for Concern

Although these ladies are always around at the park in the summer we never see them in the

winter. Where can they gather? How can they exercise?

How do we make our classes more inclusive?

• Is there an issue because there is a male in our class?

• Is there a faith based issue in attending classes at the hall due to the fact that a church uses

the hall on Sundays?

• Considering putting exercise routines on an IPad and letting folks exercise downstairs at the

hall while the regular class runs upstairs

Food for Thought • Recreation is a true catalyst for helping new and diverse community members feel included

• I feel communities planners need to look at another population that is increasing at

breakneck speed that being Seniors

• Recreation for Seniors decreases social isolation and increases a multitude of health benefits

thus lowering health care costs in the long run.

• It has worked amazingly well for our GO ME!! Senior Warriors!

Longview Senior Warriors

About AUMA – More Than Just Advocacy

Vision Municipal governments are a fully engaged

order of government and have the capacity to build thriving communities.

Mission

The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association empowers municipalities by providing visionary

leadership, solutions-based advocacy, and service excellence.

AUMA and the WIC Initiative Partnership between AUMA and Government of Alberta to:

– Create networking and learning opportunities for municipalities. – Develop resources and tools to support municipal capacity to become more

welcoming and inclusive. – Provide support and information to encourage municipalities to join the Canadian

Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (CMARD) through the development of tangible action plans to help them meet their commitments as a signatory.

Welcoming and Inclusive Communities

toolkit

Planning Together

Engaging Ethnocultural Communities

Measuring inclusion

guide

WIC Resources

Contact:

www.auma.ca

Zohreh Saher Policy Analyst

zsaher@auma.ca