On Valentine’s Day this year, the staff and students at the Global Gathering Place were very privileged and pleased to take a part in a very special occasion. We celebrated the wedding of Klaudia and Radoslaw!

We were very honoured and a bit surprised when Klaudia approached us to ask if she could hold her wedding in our office. She told us that Global Gathering Place is like her home and the staff and clients like family. Of course we agreed!

It was a simple and elegant service, officiated by a Marriage Commissioner and witnessed by GGP long-time volunteer, Maxine, and GGP staff member, Lori. Volunteer, Ron, photographed the event, Maxine provided the beautiful and delicious wedding cake, and GGP staff worked hard to make the office festive and beautiful. Thank you to everyone for coming together to make the day such a success for the happy couple. We are just so pleased that they chose to share this occasion with us!

Klaudia and Radoslaw moved to Canada from Poland about three years ago. During that time, they’ve lived in Calgary and Saskatoon, and they celebrated the birth of their first child, a daughter, Antosia, last September.

Everyone at GGP wishes Klaudia, Radoslaw, and Antosia every ounce of happiness and success in their future together. May they share aspirations, hopes, dreams, laughter, and conquests.

Congratulations Klaudia and Radoslaw!

#307-506 25th Street East Saskatoon, SK S7K 4A7 phone: (306) 665-0268 fax: (306) 665-0440

www.globalgatheringplace.com

Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that.

~Michael Leunig

Spring is a time of change and renewal. This spring, April 1st, will mark the beginning of the next phase of the Global Gathering Place. It’s with both excitement and trepidation that we look toward our big move. We’ll host an Open House so that you will have an opportunity to see our new home first-hand. Watch for the announcement.

Our new location will be fantastic! It’s right downtown, within easy walking distance of downtown services, the bus mall, and Kiwanis Memorial Park. The building itself is spacious and bright, and boasts ample room to run all our programming, both now and well into the future.

We are extremely appreciative for the support we have received from Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration. Without their funding, understanding, and encouragement, this move would not be possible.

Global Gathering Place is Moving!

The past few months, especially December, were extremely busy for the Life Skills Program. In the last three months, we welcomed over sixty new clients to Saskatoon from countries such as Bhutan, Burma, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, and Uzbekistan. When large groups of clients arrive all at once, especially near the holidays when many businesses and agencies are closed, it can be difficult to provide quality support and attention. However, the GGP staff and volunteers worked tirelessly throughout the holidays to accommodate and support so many new arrivals and ensure that their safety and basic needs were addressed. Once again, we hired a part-time Life Skills Worker, Joan McDougall, to assist the Life Skills coordinator in providing clients with orientation to their homes and the community at large. Joan’s dedication, energy, and kindness made a wonderful impact on all the people she worked with.

Despite Canadians’ repeated warnings about our menacingly cold winters, this winter has been remarkably mild. It has prompted many clients to explore the city, engage in new winter sports such as skating, curling, and tobogganing, and delight in the beauty of fluffy, white snow and sparkling frost. However, all the long underwear shopping and demonstrations of layering winter clothes and bundling for cold weather were not in vain; we had one week of terribly cold weather. After this week of frigid, below -40°C temperatures, most of our new clients emerged from a brief period of hibernation sounding truly Canadian as they exclaimed to each other, “Nice day!” for the -10°C temperatures.

Life SkillsOur new address:

100 - 5th Avenue North

Saskatoon, SK S7K 2N7

Positive Media AttentionThe Global Gathering Place has recently

been the recipient of some positive media attention. Since December, we have been featured by C95 radio, CTV News, CBC News, and will appear in the online publication Capital News out of Ottawa.

In December, we were interviewed by C95 Radio for their Christmas Wish Grand Prize. Through our Women Exchanging Life’s Lessons (WELL) program, we got to know a bit about Sara Tut, a very courageous and hard-working single mother of four. Her story inspired us to nominate her for the C95 Christmas Wish contest, in which one family would be the recipient of many marvelous gifts, including a new car to keep. Sara won the contest, and C95 generously let the Global Gathering Place be part of the gifting and featured us in their radio program for that day.

In early January, CTV News, as part of their ‘Campaign of Warmth’, brought a camera and reporter to our office. They conducted an interview with one of our staff and one of our clients, and

really highlighted our Coffee and Conversation Program as well as the work we do as a Settlement Agency. This clip appeared on both the News at Noon and the Evening News.

In late January, CBC News sent a camera and reporter to our Information Session, Dating in Canada. This news story appeared on their late night local news as well as the evening news and was a featured video on their website as the story behind their ‘poll of the day’.

As a spin-off from the CBC News story, we were contacted by a reporter from the online publication, Capital News. They will use the GGP as an example of one centre in Canada that is addressing the issue of the dating culture in Canada. The story will appear in their publication mid-February.

It is gratifying to be recognized as a centre known for delivering excellent programming. It provides a welcome validation for the important and well-received work that we do every day.

Amanda, from CBC News, conductingan interview with Adina about the Dating in Canada Information Session.

Join us in welcoming Lilah Cram, our newest ESL teacher. Lilah taught the Literacy class over the summer holidays, and everyone at GGP was thrilled that she agreed to join us on a more permanent basis. She teaches the morning and afternoon Literacy classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Lilah brings thirty years of teaching experience to our programming and a world of energy and creativity. Please join us in welcoming Lilah!

Welcome, Lilah!

Bridget Elliott

Volunteerism continues to thrive at Global Gathering Place. Over the winter months, our volunteers have been very busy helping out in Coffee and Conversation, ESL classes, Homework Help sessions, Computer training courses, and meeting with clients individually. GGP volunteers bring something unique to our programming and stretch beyond their volunteer roles to help newcomers settle in Saskatoon. We are so fortunate to have such capable volunteers who go out of their way to independently assist our clients look for jobs, housing, daycare, vehicles, and household objects as well as get them involved in the community. Thank you Volunteers!

For this issue, Global Gathering Place chose to spotlight Bridget Elliott. Bridget joined our volunteer force in May of 2009. Initially, Bridget was placed as a mentor and met with a client weekly to offer support, Canadian expertise, and language practice. This mentorship grew into an everlasting friendship. In January 2011, Bridget started assisting in the

Literacy class where she realized her passion for teaching English to newcomers. When the opportunity came up for Bridget to teach a seniors’ English class voluntarily, she jumped at the opportunity. Bridget has been doing an amazing job teaching a group of older adults every week. Her students adore her and look forward to coming to GGP each week to practice their English. Thank you Bridget for your kind heart, your positive teaching energy, and your commitment to the Global Gathering Place. We greatly appreciate your contributions towards our programming.

My family and I hosted an exchange student from Japan three years ago. It was a rewarding experience that allowed us a window into Japanese culture as well as a way to "re-experience" Canada, Saskatchewan, and Saskatoon through our student’s eyes. When our student returned to Japan, I missed tutoring him in English as well as the cross-cultural experience so I decided to volunteer with GGP.

Volunteering at GGP has been inspiring. It has taught me to appreciate so much that we take for granted in Canada. The people I have worked with are inspiring in their attitudes, work ethic, and determination. They make me want to be a better person and I am humbled to be considered a teacher or tutor when I feel I learn so much from my students. The senior's class is such a great atmosphere! I hope that when I am at the age of these students I have the energy and enthusiasm to continue learning as they do.

As a one on one tutor, my tutor match and I began to meet at Starbuck's downtown. We would meet for coffee and conversation, often discussing current issues. One day when we sat down with our coffees, she told me that she felt like she was in a movie—kind of a "dream come true" moment. I was happy to be there to share that moment. Especially so, as I have come to learn that there are many hurdles and trying times as well in the life of a new immigrant.

I am finishing my TESL Certificate and hope to someday teach with GGP and/or one of the other community agencies in Saskatoon. The work is so rewarding I would love to make it my career.

1. Why did you decide to volunteer with the Global Gathering Place?

2. What have you learned through volunteering at GGP?

3. Can you describe a memorable moment you have experienced?

4. What are your future plans?

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHTVOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Bridget ElliottVOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

The GGP Board of Directors bid farewell to Gladys Block at their February Board meeting. Gladys served on the GGP Board almost as long as GGP has existed; a constant pillar of strength and resourcefulness that will be missed by Board and staff alike.

GGP owes its success in large part to the dedication of volunteers such as Gladys. She remains an inspiration through her invaluable contributions to the Board and her generous philanthropy. We sincerely hope that Gladys will stop in to visit often to mark our progress and say hello to friends old and new.

Farewell, Gladys

ESL UpdateThe big news in GGP’s English Language

Programming is the addition of two additional LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers) classes and the expansion of our morning Literacy class. Thank you to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for this funding so that we may work toward meeting the high demand for English language instruction.

We now offer Literacy classes five days a week, in both mornings and afternoons. These are taught by teachers Dionne Wilkinson and Lilah Cram. Also new is a LINC 1-2 class in our Meadowgreen location on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Charlene Shuttleworth teaches this class.

C l a s s e s a t G G P e m p l o y a communicative approach with an emphasis on communication and linking theory to real world experiences. As part of this, the ESL students were kept busy both inside and outside the classroom with a mix of lessons and field trips.

A highlight was attending the FSIN SIGA Pow Wow at Credit Union Centre in mid-November. The colourful regalia, rhythmic drumming and singing, and different First Nations traditional dances kept everyone captivated.

Learning happens both in and out of school. If you would like to improve your English language skills at home on your own, here are some websites that might help:�Guide to Grammar and Writing:

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar�Writing Den:

http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/�ESL - Learning English with the CBC:

http://www.cbc.ca/ottawa/esl/�English Learner Online:

http://www.englishlearner.com/

Crab-Stuffed MushroomsPreparation Time: 5 Minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes | Makes: 4-5 Servings

Ingredients:1 cup crabmeat½ cup cream cheese½ cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese10 white mushroom caps½ cup bread crumbssaltpeppergarlic powderNonstick cooking spray

Method:Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Combine the crabmeat, cream cheese, parsley, green onions and Parmesan. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, to taste. Stuff the mushroom caps with the mixture and top with bread crumbs. Spray the tops with nonstick spray to help them brown. Transfer to the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the filling is hot and melted.

Feature House for All Nations

The Global Gathering Place is committed to collaborating and building relationships with a wide scope of partners. The Meadowgreen House for All Nations was a natural fit because of its location in the Meadowgreen neighbourhood, near to many of our clients’ homes and its priority to partner with groups that serve the immigrant community. Although the House for All Nations is a Christian church with a focus on spreading its Christian values, there has been a consistently high level of respect for GGP’s programming, which is independent of spiritual and religious instruction.

We had the pleasure of sitting down w i t h R i c k G u e n t h e r , f r o m t h e Meadowgreen House for All Nations, to talk to him about his organization. The House for All Nations is a church plant started in September of 2009 by the Ebenezer Baptist Church with the idea of reaching out to the immigrant, refugee, and First Nations community in Saskatoon’s Meadowgreen neighbourhood. During the first year, there were no regular services; the doors were opened to allow agencies to use the facility for youth groups, community barbecues, language classes, and even a health clinic. Community potluck lunches followed by informal church services began in September of 2010.

The partnerships with outside agencies have been very encouraging to the people at the House for All Nations and key to reaching out to the immigrant, refugee, and First Nations community. The church recognized that one of the greatest challenges faced by community members is low English language skills. Therefore, as part of their mission to serve and minister to the community, they sought to offer language training, partnering with agencies who have the skills and experience to offer this kind of service.

The strongest of these partnerships is with the Global Gathering Place. We run programming out of the House for All Nations five days a week: English classes from Monday to Thursday, and the BrightStart! program for mothers and their young children on Fridays. All of this helps the House for All Nations become an important and visible part of the Meadowgreen community and key to reaching out.

In addition to GGP, important partners include Saskatoon Open Door Society, International Women of Saskatoon, S a s k a t o o n H e a l t h R e g i o n , t h e Meadowgreen Community Association, and the Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan. There is a great diversity of programming, including an African dance troupe, a Burmese youth group, a Burmese loom group, and diabetes screening.

The Global Gathering Place is grateful for all the support it receives from the Meadowgreen House for All Nations. The ability to offer programming in the neighbourhood where clients live is of great benefit. Thank you!

House for All NationsHouse for All Nations

Feature Funder Funder Driver TheoryDriving TheoryIn 2011 Global Gathering Place introduced a new course, Driving Theory, to our

existing programming. This class gives the participants everything they need to know to pass the written portions of the Saskatchewan driving exam.

Over the past year, we offered Driving Theory to six different groups of eager participants. Feedback from this program was very positive; students continue to praise their certified SGI instructor for clearly explaining the rules of the road and challenging them with a variety of driving scenarios. Past participants continue to encourage new clients to sign up for this successful program.

Program participants go on to directly achieve their Class 7 licence. This licence, or “Learner’s Licence”, allows Class 7 drivers to operate a vehicle under the supervision of a qualified driver while they practice and improve their driving skills in preparation for the Class 5 road test.

The excellent results, feedback, and overwhelming interest in this program from our clients, speak for themselves. Starting in April, GGP is happy to announce that we will expand to offer nine Driving Theory classes over the next year!

Watch for opportunities on our website and bulletin board, listen to announcements in ESL classes, or stop by the office and speak to Afton if you’re interested in getting involved in this program.

Programming at the Meadowgreen House for All Nations