Transition to Welcoming Communities

Presented and designed by:Marilena Benak

Ice Breaker Exercise

• This is an exercise that will give us a better understanding of the audience and the organizations they are representing.

Strengths Of Our Services

• Flexible and individual oriented

• Time effective

• Cost effective (use of volunteers)• Open to changes in environment and other

external influences (1)

• Easy to remodel and adapt

• Easy to deliver outside the main office

What We Want To Continue To Do Well

• Building staff-client relationships

• Establishing community connections

• Engaging external resources

• Providing external referrals

• Being mindful in adapting to clients’ needs

Adding To What We Already Do• Activities focused on:

Age group segments (children, seniors) Gender interests (women, men) Professional goals (mentoring) Volunteering initiatives (create opportunities, create

connections) Civic participation interests (leadership training)

• Customized initiatives: Neighbourhood needs (language, faith, status) Local issues (economic trends, transportation) (1)

Immediate needs for specific groups (massive refugee inflow from one particular country) (2)

The New Model;Our Role In The Framework

The active participation of Service Providers in creating a diverse society that promotes linguistic duality and social inclusion

• Promotion of cultural understanding

• Community development and capacity building

• Participation in community and civic life

• Fulfilling the immediate needs of immigrant clients and helping with their long-term goals

(CIC website)

The Modernized Approach: From A Suite Of Programs To

One Integrated Program

• Orientation

• Language Skills

• Access to The Labour Market

• Welcoming Communities

• Policies and Program Development

Start Your New Service Delivery Diagram

• Welcoming and Initial Assessment, including short orientation and referrals to language assessment

• Needs Assessment and Design the Case Management (Service Pathway)

• Referral to support services and follow up

• Outcome Measurement evaluation

• Report to the organizational level

The Impact Of The Modernized Approach

• Provide integrated services based on defined results communicated by newcomers

• Retrain the staff and revise their duties to fit the new delivery model

• Define the type of services provided outside your main office

• Create the proper environment to deliver the available posted services

• Document all the services provided

The Desired Results

• Clients can make informed decisions based on the comprehensive information

• Clients have an understanding of social and legal rights and know how to access resources

• Clients have the official language skills to function in Canadian society

• Clients have the skills – life skills to function in Canadian society

The Desired Results (cont’d)

• Clients have knowledge of the Canadian Labour Market and Workplace Culture

• Clients have the skills to apply for employment

• Clients are connected in the community and actively participate in diverse social networks

Tools For The Modernized Approach

• One door intake process in a computerized version

• Database accessible to all staff engaged in supporting client through their individualized service pathway

• Effective use of volunteers

The Welcoming Community

• Strong desire to receive newcomers and create a “feel at home” environment

• Ensure that newcomers are able to participate fully in the community life

• Access to a full range of programs and meaningful employment

Continuing To Build Welcoming Communities

• Include “Creating Welcoming Communities” in your long term outcome measurement

• Measure the impact of your services in a professional manner utilizing a variety of tools and means

• Communicate the results of your assessments to others

• Celebrate your successes and spread the good news

Advance A Critical Team Approach For Building Support

• Get a wider perspective on how to attract more clients through community consultations and local research

• Identify champions to promote your cause (1)

• Create meaningful Partnerships

• Use advanced tools for building your reputation (media, employers of choice)

Strategies For Building Support

• Make a list of the immigrant population’s challenges in your community

• Do a SWOT analysis of your organization (1)

• Set objectives and practical goals (2)

• Share consensus with your partners and collaborators

• Involve stakeholders from various sectors and create new collaborations (4)

The Welcoming Community Design Your Service Pathway

• Re-evaluate and reinforce the clients’ needs (1)

• Define with the client the projected success

• Design and implement your activities based on the desired result

• Identify and record the outcomes in the preferred format

• Evaluate your work; the outcomes should be reflected in your evaluation

Expected Outcomes• Create social inclusion

forge new friendships connect with professional counterpartsexposure to and engagement with community

organizations for civic participation

• Increase your English ability

• Learn about ethics and cultural values in Canadian society and the workplace

• Have a sense of safety and security

• Overcome issues by getting a better understanding of Canadian society

Where Can We Expand The Delivery Of Services?

• Schools

• Community Centres

• Libraries

• Heritage Places

• Business Sector

• Municipalities

The Activities That Will Meet The Clients’ Expectations

• Youth related activities:

Learning activities:o learning circleso theatre projectso ambassador groupso leadership activities

Recreational activities:o team sports and competitionso environmental activities

The Activities That Will Meet The Expected Outcomes

• General Activities: Conversation Circles Training, workshops, and presentations

o leadership training for civic inclusiono self esteem workshopso social skillsoanger management

Networking events and focus/support groupso women/man focus groupo grief and loss support group

Factors Affecting Clients’ Connections

• Organization’s reputation

• The need of services provided

• Family ties

• Organization’s marketing strategies

• Awareness of existing community barriers

• Language and culture

• Comfort in service reception (receiving)

Attracting Clients

• Website portal

• Community Resources Guide• Interactive marketing (1)

• Accessibility of services (2)

• Customized services vs. standardized services (3)

• Active presence throughout the community

Client Focus Services

CLIENT

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failures." Colin Powell

Closure

• Build relationships and share resources (space, time, human capital, etc.)

• Attract new stakeholders

• Create new marketing image and brand your services

• Use all the tools to approach the new model

• Continue to do what you are doing well!

Contact Information

Marilena Benak

(519) 579-9622 ext. 261

KW YMCA Immigrant Services

800 King St W, 3rd Floor

Kitchener, Ontario

N2G 1E8

www.ymcacrosscultural.ca

Thank You