Issue 20 AUTUMN 2014

Issue 24 Autumn/Winter 2015

UPCOMING EVENTS Message from the Executive Director, Valerian Marochko

The London Cross Cultural Learner Centre (CCLC) is reviewing its strategy to

ensure the organization responds to the needs of our communities. The CCLC has changed every time the socio-economic and political environment has under-

gone major changes. Originally created as a global education centre at Western University, CCLC became a refugee reception centre and a settlement agency in the late 1970s, when Canada became involved in the resettlement of over

60,000 Vietnamese refugees.

The last few years have been marked by important decisions related to Canada’s immigration process and structures, and we expect these to accelerate now as the government of Canada is again taking a prominent role in refugee resettle-

ment, including the commitment to quickly provide a home in Canada for more than 25,000 Syrian refugees. Compared to 35 years ago, there are at least three factors that are the same.

1. General public awareness and willingness of Canadians to support refugees. 2. Need for community collaboration: we can say that “it takes a whole community to successfully

integrate a refugee.” 3. Desire of different levels of government, private citizens, public institutions, service agencies, faith

groups, businesses, and community organizations to work together for the success of the endeavor.

The success becomes a matter of national pride and begs questions about the Canada we are building for future generations. Refugee resettlement is part of our country’s foreign policy and global humanitarian commitments.

As well, it is part of fostering prosperous, just, and inclusive local communities for our globally connected

and increasingly diverse youth and general population. Finally, it is essential in maintaining top social development and economic standards of living in Canada. By getting involved in or supporting refugee resettlement, as Canadians, we are presented with the opportunity to reaffirm our national identity and

build a new dimension of social cohesion based on humanitarian and global inclusion aspirations.

How will this affect the CCLC? Our organization needs to change with the times. We need to listen to all the actors and stakeholders involved and realign our organizations strategic goals to effectively support the evolving needs of our communities. We will be sending a link to a stakeholder survey, which will be

available on our website. You may also contact me directly at 519-423-1133 ext. 235 or email valy@lcclc.org. I look forward to hearing what you think CCLC could be doing to fulfill our organization’s

mission. Valy Marochko

ORIENTATION TO ONTARIO (O2O) WORKSHOPS The workshops will take place Wed. Dec. 16 and Fri. Dec 18, 4:30 to 8pm at CCLC, in the JSW room on the lower level.

Wheelchair accessible. Workshops will be presented in English & Arabic. Refreshments will be provided. To register, or learn

about workshops in the new year, please contact Abir Al Jamal 519-432-1133 or Orientation2ontario@hotmail.com or www.orientationtoontario.ca

LGBTQ Would you like to meet other newcomers in the LGBTQ community? Join us for a potluck dinner on Sat. Dec. 12th from 5:30

to 10pm. Everyone is welcome with advanced registration. Please call Joseph 519-432-1133 ext. 237

The COACH PROGRAM is a new program aiming to certify newcomer youth and adults as community coaches and referees

to facilitate physical activity for newcomers. Participants will have the opportunity to receive coaching and refereeing certifica-tion in addition to First Aid/CPR certification free of charge. For more info call Len 519-432-1133 ext 363

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Youth for Art, Newcomer Women’s Resilience Group, Mutual Assistance Group, Yoga Classes, French Conversation

Circles take place on Mondays, Youth Taking Action, and Northeast Mentoring at Louise Arbour—Wednesdays, Sewing Group, Computer Group, Basketball Mentorship, Family Mentoring Group, Seniors Mentoring Group and Men’s

Mentoring Group take place on Thursdays, Youth Drop In Monday-Friday 11:15-11:55am

City Attractions & Events Information Session on Mon. Dec 14th 5:30-7:30pm. Join us with a guest speaker from the

London Arts Council.

For all Community Connections events please call Nasreen for details. 519-432-1133 ext. 231

OSN—Celebration of Cultures—Thursday, Dec. 10th 6 to 9pm @ H.B. Beal Secondary School. CCLC is hosting a Pot Luck.

Contact Susan ext. 245.

INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCY TRAINING Free Information Sessions Wednesdays from 1-2:30 beginning November 27th, 2015

Module Workshops (NEW) begin January 29th, 2016 Fridays 1:00pm – 4:30pm. Register for all four workshops and receive

a Certificate in Intercultural Competency. Contact 519-432-1133 or cclc@lcclc.org.

Train-the-Trainer Workshop Weekend 9:00pm to 4:00pm February 6 & 7, 2016. Contact Katy ext. 365

CULTURAL DIVERSITY TUESDAYS Jan 26, 2016 May Haithem, Feb. 23 Dr. Linda Weber, March 29 Amal Mahmoud

Please contact Sumbal ext. 280 for topics and further details

Thanks to our contributors

Amal Sari, RAP Settlement Worker Corrie Kinahan, Job Search Workshop Facilitator/Assessor Marilyn Cook, Communications Coordinator and Portal Support Rifat Hussain, OSN Manager Surya Acharya, RAP Settlement Worker Tam Dam, RAP Manager

Valerian Marochko, Executive Director Ann Murray, Editor

Visit the London Middlesex Immigration Portal website http:\\immigrantion.london.ca to access information about London and local resources in the community

OSN (Orientation Services for Newcomers) RESETTLEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (RAP) A lot has happened in the RAP program since the last newsletter. During the April 2014 to March

2015 fiscal year, 237 Government Assisted Refugees “GARs” arrived at CCLC s Jeremiah’s

Reception centre from 15 countries around the world including Bhutan, Syria, Iran, the Congo,

Eritrea, Myanmar, Turkey, Colombia, Central Africa and Tibet. In addition there were 6 GARs who

transferred to London as Secondary Migrants.

The top five leading countries, in term of arrivals, include Iraq with 100 people representing 41.2%

of the arrivals; Bhutan with 66 people representing 27.20% of the arrivals; Syria with 16 people

representing 6.5% of the arrivals; Iran with 14 people representing 5.7% of the arrivals, Congo

with 14 people representing 5.7% of the arrivals. From April 2015 to October 2015, 188 people arrived from Afghanistan, Bhutan,

Colombia, Eritrea, Iraq, Myanmar, Sierra Leone, and Syria. There have been great challenges for the RAP program in addressing the

needs of the GARs this year as there were more seniors, young children and people with special needs than in the past.

Every year, the students at The Church School at St. Michael and All Angels

raise money to purchase backpacks for the newly arrived children. This year

students were able to purchase 30 backpacks and delivered these to the

children on October 2nd. It was an exciting event for both the students and

the children. Some exchanged phone numbers for future connection. Stu-

dents were very excited to offer their help to the newcomer children who

themselves were very thrilled with the offers. Special thanks to the students

for their thoughtfulness in supporting the newcomer children.

Volunteers

It has been wonderful to see people from different cultures and backgrounds volunteer their time to the RAP program. Volunteers

helped out with everything from chores in the kitchen to administrative, orientation, and language support. Currently a volunteer

from Turkey and another from Colombia are providing clerical support. Thank you to them for their support which contributes to

the success of the program.

Housing

Moving to a new country, especially with small children, medical conditions, or elderly parents is a life changing experience.

The biggest fear is that of the unknown. Not knowing where they will live, how to pay expenses, survive without a job, and even

survive the cold, are some concerns people have as they embark on a new life in a new country. The RAP Housing Coordinator

works with families to provide orientation a few days after newcomers arrive in London. There is much to learn including the

Residential Tenancies Act and landlord & tenant rights & responsibilities, rent deposits, eviction, how to set up utilities and so on.

Clients are encouraged to learn as much as they can. The more they know the better prepared they will be, and better able to deal

with unexpected issues.

Homecoming!

This summer’s relentless effort of soul-searching with a view in finding out what my transferable soft skills for the labor market are,

led me back to join the RAP team. Having previously worked in the program, it feels rather seamless to join the team for a year.

Within this period I am hoping to accomplish two things in particular: that I may grow in the knowledge of myself in the light of

working with colleagues in the organization, and particularly with the RAP team and the wonderful clients that I am gong to meet and

secondly, that I might refine the skills much needed in the workforce, such as leadership, interpersonal, analytical, and decision

making skills with a commitment to strict work ethics.

Surya Acharya

Journeys of Migration

Western University held a third annual event this year entitled Journeys of Migration on

November 19th. The purpose of the event was to share first hand stories of migration to

Canada. The Ameen family, a newly arrived Syrian family from the CCLC GAR group, was

chosen among 3 other panelists to describe the challenges and difficulties they faced when

they fled their home country. They provided eye witness accounts of the war; the situation in

Syria; and the living conditions of refugees. I was present to support them

during their brave testimony. Among the other panelists was a lawyer, Bassam Lazar, who immigrated to Canada from Iraq many years ago; a

social entrepreneur, Bianca Lopes, from Brazil; and a business owner,

Phuong Phama, from Vietnam. I also had an opportunity to share my story

of arriving in Canada in 2006. It was inspiring to hear stories of resilience,

and courage. The event was well arranged and well attended. Amal Sari

Backpack Event – Oct 2nd 2015

New friendships formed at the Backpack Event

Orientation to Ontario is a pilot project funded through both federal and provincial funding. The

O2O project is a bilingual initiative designed to ease the transition of newcomers by providing access to settlement information and connect newcomers to community services in Ontario. Each workshop

will cater to the needs of the participants to help them better navigate the various services available within their geographical area. The first workshop took place on November 10th—12th and was very successful. Please check the back of this newsletter or www.lcclc.org for information about upcoming

workshops.

The OSN program is busy planning our upcoming “Celebrating Cultures” program that will be held on Dec. 17th, 2015. This program will highlight and celebrate the various cultures that come through our doors. This program will also acknowledge the various festivities that are celebrated throughout

the year highlighting the one main event in that culture.

SPONSORING A REFUGEE can be a long process. Applications are accepted from community organizations, groups of five or more permanent residents, or Sponsorship Agreement Holders, usually churches or charitable groups. Application forms, available on the Citizenship and

Immigration website, are processed in Winnipeg. This process can take many months.

Much thought needs to be given before deciding to sponsor a refugee. Sponsors are expected to help the refugee settle in the community, which includes finding housing and work. Sponsors must commit to supporting the refugees for 12 months or until the refugee is able to be independent. Costs can

vary widely.

Many charities are taking donations to assist the Syrian refugees. If you are interested in sponsoring a refugee or would like further information on the process of sponsoring a refugee Joe Friesen has written an excellent article in the Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/

refugee-sponsorship-can-be-a-long-complex-process---heres-how-it-works/article26323043/

A happy child from Bhutan with a new back-pack.

The OSN Team Dariush, Giselle, Joseph, Rana, Rifat, Susan, Zoran, Debra (absent)

Henri Boyi, CCLC Board

member and Western French Studies professor

has been named one of the recipients of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant

Award for 2015. The award recognizes people

who have made a positive contribution in Canada.

Congratulations Henri!

From top left to right: Yasmin Amin & Mohamad Ameen Bottom left to right: Bhassam Lazar, Bianca Lopes, & Phuong Pham

CCLC and our partner organizations are awaiting the arrival of the Syrian refugees. From the early settlement process, to language assessment and referral to schools, to job searching, we are ready to offer our services to make the resettlement process as smooth and stress free as possible.

Want to get involved? Check out our website to learn more about what we do, contact the centre to become a volunteer, or make a donation. Upon request, charitable tax receipts will be provided for donations over $10.00. For further details contact the finance department at 519-432-1133 ext. 241 or 243. For info about donating items please contact Rifat at ext 232. For info on the matching fund — http://www.international.gc.ca/media/dev/news-communiques/2015/09/12a.aspx?lang=eng.