Multicultural Association of Carleton County
…but you can call us MACC
You may ask yourself . . .
Where is Carleton County?
Woodstock
Hartland
Florenceville/Bristol
To Fredericton 100 kms
Carleton County
HISTORY OFMACC
It all started with a potato…
…from that potato a multinational company was formed – McCain Foods
Flash forward 50 years.
Responding to the growing need for high-skilled IT personnel, McCain Foods searched the WORLD to fill their employment needs.
Soon companies from all around Carleton County joined the search to
fill employment needs.
Now people from over 39 different countries make Carleton County home.
A ‘mini’ United Nations amongst the potato fields!
The region’s population growth is almost entirely due to the arrival of new immigrants
To embrace and celebrate this cultural diversity, the Multicultural Association of Carleton County (MACC) was
formed.
• 2001 Meetings held to identify the needs of the newcomer community and develop a mandate
• 2003 Inaugural Celebration • 2005 Citizenship Award• 2005 ESL classes start
• 2006 NBELT program started• 2007 NBELT expanded
• 2008 Settlement Services started• 2009 ESL services expand to second site – Woodstock
• 2009 Community Involvement Program (HOST)
OBJECTIVES
To facilitate contact and communication between persons of
different cultural backgrounds
Different CulturesAll Friends
To foster harmonious relationships among all cultural groups and individuals.
Ethno Cultural Nights
To raise public consciousness and acceptance of multiculturalism.
Information Sessions
To assist newcomers to become established in the community.
Life Skills Lessons
To act as an advocate on issues dealing with multiculturalism.
Community Support
But it was not all smooth sailing . . .
Services were suspended in the fall of 2006.
A new approach was needed.
Newcomer Services for Rural NB
Challenges
• Distance, our clientele are spread out over 3312 square kilometres.
• Accessibility - there are no public transit systems available.
• Small class sizes with a wide range of language levels.
• Clients who are isolated and not feeling connected to the community.
Challenges are meant to be overcome.
A New Vision
Client-Centred Approach
MACCPHILOSOPHY OF SERVICE
Client Centred Approach
Family Supports Employment Services
Social NetworkingHOST
Settlement ServicesISAP
ESL
Community Inclusion
Client
Clients choose the services they need when they need them.
CLIENTSSettlement
Program Coordinator ISAP
Community Involvement
Coordinator H
OST
Employment
Counsellor
NB Employment
Language Training
ESL
Administrative Coordinator
Program
Director
Board of Directors FundersOrganizational Structure
Services are driven by the needs of the clients.
FUNDERSCitizenship Immigration and Multiculturalism Canada
• John Barrett• Donna-Rae Gibbs
Population Growth Secretariat• Ashraf Ghanem, Director Settlement and Multiculturalism• Lisa Pardy, Program Counsultant, Settlement and Multiculturalism
Department of Post Secondary Training and Labour• Kelli Green, Consultant Employment Programs and Services• Diane Martin, Manager Employment Counselling Woodstock
New Brunswick Multicultural Council• Debra Wybou, Managing Director• Mary Lou Arsenault, NBELT Program Director
MACCSERVICES
Multiple Sites
Addresses transportation challenges
Settlement Services
Settlement Services• Facilitate the contact and communication between
persons of different cultural backgrounds.• Foster harmonious relationships among all cultural groups
and individuals.• Raise public consciousness and acceptance of
Multiculturalism.• Assist newcomers in adapting to their new community, to
acquire accommodations, educational services, health care.
• Act as an advocate on issues dealing with Multiculturalism.• Coordinate bridging sessions between newcomers and
services they require.
English Second Language Training
New Brunswick Employment Language Training - NBELT
• Focused on workplace language.• Part-time classes 16 – 20 hours per week.• Continuous Intake – Clients can start immediately and
stay as long as they need.• Available one-on-one instruction.• Multi-Level classes – One room school house.• Clients are sent out into the community on
assignments.• Internet based learning.• Onsite language instruction available in the workplace.
English Second Language Training
•ESL for survival, workplace, acclimatization, acculturation and social contexts.
•Focus on local language characteristics and colloquialisms – What is a “Dooryard”?
•Cultural bridging activities.•Workshops and field trips providing instruction and orientation on accessing community resources.
•Multilevel and one-on-one classes; scheduled and drop-in.
•Continuous enrolment.
Employment Counselling
Client-Centred Employment Services
• One on One sessions with Employment Counsellor.• Cover letter and resumes are customized for each client.• EC works closely with local companies to arrange for
work placements – voluntary and subsidized.• EC negotiates with employers to allow for ESL class
participation to continue.• Work Permit assistance.• Professional Portfolio Development - PLAR.• Arrange other employment training.
HOST Program
Community Integration• Building friendly relationships through our Host Volunteer
Program.• Partnering with service groups and recreation groups to
build community awareness and participation.• Provide newcomers the opportunity to be involved in the
community.• Creating a sense of belonging in the community.• Recruiting local individuals and families willing to offer
friendship to newcomers. • Facilitate communication between newcomers and the
community.Talk, smile, laugh! Opportunities abound in Carleton County!
RESULTS
January 2007
7 ClientsPart-time ESL classes
Part-time Employment Services
July 200716 Clients in Employment Language
Training
All 7 of original clients advanced 2 Canadian Language Benchmarks!
First 3 Clients found employment
March 200840 Clients being served in ELT
16 Clients obtain permanent full-time employment
Families began to engage MACC services
New in 2008ELT services offered in 2 locations:
Florenceville and Woodstock
On-line ESL training commenced
Settlement Services (ISAP/HOST) commence
Work Permit/LMO Assistance
2008/2009 FiscalNBELT• 38 clients in ELT classes• 45 clients served with employment services• 20 clients obtained FT Permanent Employment • 5 clients FT Seasonal employmentSettlement Services• 13 Information Sessions with 40 participants• 13 Community Events with 330 participants• 7 Socio/Cultural Events with 177 participants• Settlement Activities with 20 Families, 25 Partial services, 90
individuals• 5 Community Promo events with 60 participants• 33 New Permanent Residents received services
New in 2009ESL services expanded in Woodstock
Satellite office opened in downtown Woodstock
Full-time Community Integration Program (HOST)
ESL on-line services expanded
One-on-One ESL instruction program offered
On-site language instruction offered
Settlement activities expanded to include community pot-lucks, recreation events, social-cultural events
Program Director position approved
2009/2010 fiscalELT/ESL• 25 ESL students in Florenceville classroom• 34 ESL students in Woodstock classroom• 44 on-line students• 20 one-on-one students
Employment• 18 client employed Full-time• 5 Full-time Seasonal• 3 Part-time• 45 active clients in employment services
Community Integration• 9 clients connected with Friendship Matches• 4 clients connected in volunteer programs• 280 personal contacts made throughout the county• Partnering with community cultural and recreation
organizations
Settlement Services• 15 Information Sessions with 525 participants• 15 Community Events with 400 participants• 24 Socio/Cultural Events with 740 participants• Settlement Activities with 30 Families, 55 Partial
services, 305 individuals• 22 Community Promo events with 250 participants• 42 New Permanent Residents
Something to celebrate!
Future
• Mentorships – professional and entrepreneurial • Road Mapping of Social Services – e.g. accessing
mental health, financial aid, child protection services • Cultural sensitivity training – schools and workplaces• Building community involvement• Building community partnerships – local schools,
governments, social and service organizations• Potato fueled rocket ships
Thank-youMerci Beaucoup
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