Post on 10-May-2022
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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