London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council February 19, 2010 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. Central Library, Learner Room 251 Dundas Street AGENDA 1. Welcome & Introductions 2. Review Terms of Reference: Roles & Responsibilities of Sub-council 3. Role of Project Staff 4. Follow up from Community Action Planning Day 5. Review of Gaps and Priority Setting Results a. Template 6. Interpretation into French 7. Process a. Selection of Chair b. Meeting Times 8. Next Steps
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London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council
February 19, 2010
10:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. Central Library, Learner Room
251 Dundas Street
AGENDA
1. Welcome & Introductions
2. Review Terms of Reference: Roles & Responsibilities of Sub-council
3. Role of Project Staff
4. Follow up from Community Action Planning Day
5. Review of Gaps and Priority Setting Results a. Template
6. Interpretation into French
7. Process a. Selection of Chair b. Meeting Times
8. Next Steps
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London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council Friday, February 19, 2010
Mohamed Al-Adeimi was introduced as the facilitator for the first meeting of the Settlement Sub-council until a Chair is selected. The group was asked to go around the table and introduce themselves and share bit about their backgrounds
Terms of Reference
The group was given a few minutes to review the Roles & Responsibilities of the Sub-Council (page 3-4 of the Terms of Reference). Mohamed provided a summary on the Roles & Responsibilities as well as a summary of how the Terms of Reference were endorsed by the community during the November 18, 2009 Community Strategy Meeting. It was noted that the deadline for completing the Strategic Plan has been extended to June 30, 2010. Each of the six sub-councils will be responsible for creating a thematic strategy (i.e. Settlement) which will be one piece in the London and Middlesex Local Immigration partnership Strategic Plan (LMLIP)
The role of the Welcoming Communities Initiative (WCI) at the University of Western Ontario in relation to the LMLIP was also highlighted. Dr Victoria Esses is the Co-director of the Community-University Research Alliance (CURA) project involving 16 universities. The LMLIP is very fortunate to have her on the Central Council representing the research arm.
Role of Project Staff
Nina Hamou was introduced as the Project Assistant on the LMLIP. She will be providing administrative support to the settlement sub-council and the Chair and Co-Chair by taking notes, distributing them, booking meeting space and communication. Nina’s role will involve clarifying or responding to some questions, as needed.
Review of Gaps and Priority Setting Results
The sub-council spent some time analyzing the Sub-council meeting minutes from February 2, 2010. Some clarification and elaboration was provided to the following points including:
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• Clarification was asked for regarding the CIC Modernization Approach which was explained as a new way for streamlining settlement services.
• More elaboration was needed on point number 7 found in the Settlement report. The discussion was regarding the education process and how the mainstream immigration is a bonus to society rather than a heavy burden.
• The role of this Sub-council as a settlement body should be on the Agenda for the next meeting.
• Collectivist vs. Individualistic Societies: immigrants that arrive in Canada may come from collectivist society. We need to implement a way of understanding society at the beginning for immigrants. This is challenging for immigrants and settlement agencies.
ACTION: The sub-council agreed that the issue of individuals coming from a collectivist society into an individualistic one is a gap.
• Affordable Childcare: daycare is very expensive, specifically in Ontario. The cost is the same as what someone would pay for education or career change. When immigrants send their children back to third world country because of lack of affordable childcare, there is a problem. Also, with fulltime Junior Kindergarten being offered, cost of daycare will increase.
• Youth and seniors: Need to look at best practices of Seniors Wrap Around program.
A point of clarification was raised with regards to a point in the Community Capacity and Needs Report (page 8 of the Settlement Report). The use of the word “acculturation” means to lose ones culture. Rather we want to facilitate “Cultural Integration”.
Interpretation into French
Although interpretation is not needed, there was agreement that all final documentation should be translated into French. This includes all the Settlement Sub-council Meeting Minutes. Any community events or consultations will require interpretation.
Process:
a. Selection of a Chair
The following individuals had put forth their names to Chair:
Marel Fielding, Gaston Mabaya and Sundoz Shubbar all withdrew the names. Mohamed was asked to continue in the role of Chair. Rifat Hussein was nominated and selected as the co-chair. b. Meeting Times: The following meeting times were selected by the Sub-Council:
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• Monday, March 1st : 9:30-11:30
• Monday, March 22nd: 9:30-11:30 • Thursday, April 8th 9:30-11:30 • Thursday, April 22nd 9:30-11:30
The group collectively agreed that they liked the Central Library for meeting space. However meetings are not to go over 2 hours so that individuals can validate their parking. ACTION: Nina to create name tags.
Next Steps:
ACTION: Nina to take the gaps in the Settlement Report and the gaps mentioned in today’s meeting and insert them into the template.
Next meeting: March 1, 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. Central Library, Stevenson & Hunt Room B Regrets to [email protected]
The group reviewed and approved the minutes. It was noted that the interpretation of int French may be used in this group if it does expand to include those who require it. Nina announced that as for now Citizen and Immigration Canada will be funding interpretation, but it is not yet known if they will fund translation of meeting minutes.
The Minutes were moved by Gaston and approved by Mary.
Introduction:
Individuals who were not present at the last meeting were introduced and welcomed.
Contact List:
The group gave its approval for the creation of a contact list which includes the names, emails and organizations of the sub-council members. Those who would not like their names on the list are to contact Nina directly.
Review of Gaps and Priority Setting Template
The goal is the creation of a strategic plan for the Settlement area of focus, no later than April 23, 2010. The final Strategic Plan will be completed and submitted to Citizen and Immigration Canada (CIC) by June 30, 2010.
The group reviewed the gaps organized in the template. The template included information from the Community Action Planning Day, The Community Needs and Capacity Report and the February 19 discussion. The goal of this was to elaborate on points and suggest gaps which were missing.
Key priorities discussed: • Need to acknowledge that London is a bilingual city and services should be available in French and
English. • Need up to date research regarding the types of immigrants and where they are coming from. • Connecting newcomers to services
‐ Immediate access to information upon arrival (Including the border and all other ways) ‐ Communication ‐ Welcoming process
• Navigating the system
‐ Difficulties for immigrants in navigating bureaucratic structures, filling out forms, responding to letters etc
• Managing Finances ‐ Credit, transition from government sponsorship, taxes, Phone bills, student credit cards
• Family ‐ Families who separate upon arrival (divorce, psychological barriers to adapting) ‐ Families who separate geographically (some immigrate and some stay in home country) ‐ Issues between Children and Parents (values, language) ‐ Childcare (overarching)
ACTION: Nina to update template with points discussed and send to group.
The group also discussed compiling statistics related to settlement in the London Community.
ACTION: Jill Tansley to send statistics on City website and connect with Mo Jeng.
ACTION: Nina to connect with Vicki to find out what the University of Western Ontario, Welcoming Communities Initiative, is doing in terms of settlement statistics.
ACTION: Nina to explore options for meeting space.
Next Steps
Next meeting: March 22, 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. Central Library, Lerner Room Regrets to [email protected]
London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council
March 22, 2010
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Kinsmen Recreation Centre Room 2a
20 Granville St.
AGENDA
1. Welcome & Introductions
2. Meeting Minutes/Attachments
3. Updates a. Chair: Review Tasks and Timelines b. Staff
4. Timelines and Goals
5. Review Gaps a. Refine priorities b. Identify activities/strategies under each priority
6. Next Steps: Meeting April 8, 9:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Kinsmen Recreation Centre, room
2a
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London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council Monday, March 22, 2010 Present: Mohamed Al-Adeimi, Nan Abuhalib, Fadela Ahmed, Maria del Pilar Silva, Marel Fielding, Rifat Hussain, Ramona Lucan, Mersija Nuric, Nancy Santos, Jill Tansley, Eugene Tremblay, Nina Hamou; Regrets: Mayssa El-Sayegh
SUMMARY
Welcome and introductions
Mohamed welcomed the committee members and thanked everyone for their interest. The
group was asked to introduce themselves and new members were welcomed.
Updates
a. Meeting Minutes
Following review, minutes were motioned by Maria and approved by Fadela. Ola Abiodun name
will be included in the list of those present at the last meeting. There was consensus that all
action items have been achieved. Jill was thanked for sharing statistics on immigration in
London.
b. Timelines and Tasks
The group was reminded that there are only two more meetings remaining to complete the
required task by April 23, 2010. The group was asked to save the date of May 26, 2010,
whereby the draft strategic plan will be presented to the community for input.
A document from Statistics Canada was circulated showing projections of diversity and
immigrants in the next few years. This is important information to be mindful of as we move
forward.
Review Gaps
In consultation with the Chairs, Nina compiled the priorities the group discussed in the previous
meeting, as well as what the community has suggested, into the following categories
(highlighted items reflect additions by the group):
1. Connecting newcomers to services
• Immediate access to information upon arrival
• Communication
• Welcoming process
• Needs of Refugees vs. Landed Immigrants
• GARS/PSR vs. Economic class
• Providing settlement services at the neighbourhood level
• Agency vs. ethno-cultural referrals
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• Long-term support
• Use of the Immigration Portal
• Students
• Temporary Workers
2. Navigating systems
a. Bureaucratic Systems
• Difficulties for immigrants in navigating bureaucratic structures, filling out
forms, responding to letters etc.
• Language and literacy
b. Managing Finances
• Credit
• Transition from government sponsorship
• Taxes
• Phone bills
c. Education System
3. Family Challenges
• Families who separate upon arrival (divorce, psychological barriers to adapting)
• Families who separate geographically (some immigrate and some stay in home
country)
• Children and Parents (values, language)
• Transition from collectivist to individualistic Societies
• Childcare/child minding
• Youth
• Seniors
• Parenting
• Role of men in the community
• Family Sponsorship
4. Housing
• Landlord/ tenants rights and responsibilities
• Affordable housing
• Co-ops
5. Overarching themes
The following additions and revisions were made:
• Students, temporary workers to be added as a priority groups under “connecting
services to newcomers”
• “Education system” is to be included under “navigating systems”
• “Housing” will be included as a separate priority with issues of tenant and
landlord rights and responsibilities falling under it
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• “Family challenges”: parenting, family sponsorship and the role of men will be
included. The role of men in the community was given considerable discussion.
It is felt that men are being neglected in the settlement process. There need to
be services to address their role as a father figure and male of the household.
• “Space concerns” will be removed from the list as it is unclear
The following activities were suggested:
1. Connecting Services to Newcomer
- Effective use of the immigration portal by service providers, immigrants, and
potential immigrants
- Setting up a joint reception centre
- Providing support for students in the university
- Targeting economic class immigrants by promoting London abroad (Immigration
Portal)
- Information available to GARs and Refugees Applicants– creating a database of
services available for different categories of immigrants by building on the database
we already have
2. Navigating the systems
- Providing additional training services to students
- Involve Interpreters with training and knowledge on settlement information
- Cognitive behavioral therapy- helping immigrants change the way they perceive
situations
ACTION: Nina to organize all the priorities and the activities discussed in a working template for
the group.
Next steps:
The group will continue to discuss activities.
Meeting minutes will be posted on the Immigration Portal welcome.london.ca.
Next Meeting: April 8, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Kinsmen Recreation Centre, room 2a Regrets to [email protected]
London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council
April 8, 2010 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Kinsmen Recreation Centre 20 Granville St.
AGENDA
1. Welcome & Introductions
2. Meeting Minutes/Attachments
3. Updates a. Chair: Review Tasks and Timelines b. Staff
4. Review Gaps a. Refine priorities b. Identify activities/strategies under each priority
5. Next Steps: Meeting April 22, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Kinsmen Recreation Centre
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London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council Thursday, April 8, 2010 Present: Amani Radhaa, Eugene Tremblay, Marel Fielding, Mustafa Zahid, Jill Tansley, Maria del
Pilar Silva, Sunduz Shubar, Brian Rhoden, Rifat Hussain, Mohamed Al-Adeimi and Nina Hamou.
Welcome and Introductions Mohamed thanked the group for their attendance and commitment. Updates Mohamed briefed the group on the Central Council Meeting. At the meeting he provided a summary of the priorities and progress of this sub-council so far. Following discussion it was overlapping advocacy issues were mentioned such as space and childcare. Nina shared the invitation for the Wednesday, May 26 Community Strategy meeting during which, the draft strategic plan will be presented. Individuals are reminded to RSVP. The report by the Welcoming Communities Initiative (WCI) was circulated via email. It included a chapter related to housing. The group decided that it would refer to the recommendations made in the document to avoid duplication. Meeting Minutes Meeting minutes were reviewed. Maria accepted and Mohamed seconded the move. Priorities The following strategies were discussed: 1. Connecting newcomers to services: • Ensure immediate access to information upon arrival and maintaining an ongoing
welcoming process - Create and set up a joint reception centre which is coordinated by all settlement
agencies in London. - Create a binder with all information related to services in a culturally and
linguistically relevant way which includes brochures in different languages that explain settlement agencies and services they provided in schools, places of worship, health services etc.
- Providing additional training services to immigrant students and their families by building on SWIS and LSP programs to assist families and students connect to services.
• Strengthen communication between service providers and immigrants - Enhance and strengthen referrals between agencies through greater collaboration
and opportunities for communication.
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- Include immigrants in planning stages in the delivery of services by holding focus groups and ensuring representation on planning committees.
- Advocate for increased number of brochures in different languages that explain settlement agencies and services they provided in schools, places of worship, health services etc.
- Promote and coordinate the use of the Immigration Portal and other existing tools within our community.
• Ensure there are programs that reflect and understand the diverse and unique needs of various classes of immigrants. (GARS/PRs, Economic class, students, temporary workers, refugees, landed immigrants)
- Targeting economic class immigrants by promoting London abroad through the use and promotion of the Immigration Portal.
- Provide support for students and temporary workers who may wish to stay in Canada.
- Create opportunities for agency to connect with ethno-specific communities. • Increase the delivery of settlement services at the neighbourhood level to establish long-
term support and consistent ethno- cultural referrals. - Creation of a volunteer management position within settlement organization which
will ensure volunteers are trained to provide basic settlement services and ongoing support and follow-up to immigrants when eligibility criteria restricts continued service. Volunteers will be recruited from host-community and can be immigrants themselves.
- Build and expand on existing programs such as the Women of the World Program to train community leaders to provide information on settlement services.
2. Navigating Systems
a. Bureaucratic Systems - Advocate and create opportunities for interpreters to be involved training and
knowledge on settlement information.
b. Managing Finances - Create ongoing interactive workshops which creatively educate immigrants how to
manage all aspects of finances including banking, credit, transition from government sponsorship, taxes, and bill payments
3. Family Challenges • Increase referral and support for families who separate upon arrival or separate
geographically - Direct to free and informal counselling services that take into account pre-
migratory experiences. • Intergenerational conflict between children and parents and the transition from collectivist
to individualistic societies • Build on programs which assist the settlement of specific segments of the family, youth
and seniors - Adopt a unique wrap-around model for each
• Increase supports and resources for existing parenting programs to support newcomer needs.
- Increased collaboration with CAS and Settlement through outreach to school aged children and their parents.
- Training of community leaders of ethno cultural communities to provide referrals and support for parenting and child care issues.
• Increase supports for the role of men in families and in the community - Promote and enhance existing programs which providing fathers and or husbands
with the tools and information on their roles and responsibility in the community.
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4. Housing • Enhance supports for education on landlord and tenants rights and responsibilities
- Build on workshops that proactively teach individuals their rights and responsibilities and how to respond in tenant/landlord conflicts.
- Information-sharing that facilitates newcomers’ access to shelters (WCI). • Enhance and create affordable and suitable housing
- Creation of housing sensitive to the needs of newcomers (WCI) while ensuring that newcomers are kept out of silos.
- Advocating for city planning that seeks to address newcomers’ housing needs. Next Steps Rationale and timelines will be discussed at the next meeting. Next meeting Thursday, April 8, 2010 Kinsmen Recreation Centre, Room 2a Regrets to: [email protected]
London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council
April 22, 2010 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Kinsmen Recreation Centre 20 Granville St.
AGENDA
1. Welcome & Introductions
2. Meeting Minutes/Attachments
3. Updates a. Chair: Central Council
4. Review of Draft Template & wrap up
5. Next Steps: Community Strategy Meeting May 26, 2010, London Convention Centre,
1:00-4:30
Funded by: Co-led by:
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London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council Thursday, April 22, 2010
Present: Brian Rhoden, Marel Fielding, Mustafa Zahid, Maria Vasquez, Jill Tansley, Rifat Hussain, Eugene Tremblay, Amani Radha, Mohamed Al-Adeimi, Ramona Lucan, Mersija Nuric and Nina Hamou. Regrets: Fadela Ahmed, Tharcisse Ntakibirora, Gaston Mabaya, Ola Abiodun and Mayssa El-Sayegh. SUMMARY
Welcome and Introductions
Mohamed thanked everyone for their attendance.
Updates
The group was reminded this was the last time they would meet to revise the priority setting
template. The goal is for project staff to send the templates to the Central Council by Monday,
April 24.
The group was reminded to RSVP their attendance to the Community Strategy Meeting on May
26, 2010.
Meeting Minutes
The Sub-council reviewed and approved the meeting minutes.
Review of Draft Template & Wrap-up
Timelines and rationales were developed for each strategy and wording was modified to reflect
strategic language.
The following advocacy items were added:
• Information pre-immigration and post immigration • Landlord and housing rules and regulations
There was discussion on the strategy regarding the creation of a joint reception centre. It was agreed that more parameters need to be in place and that we need to acknowledge the work that is being done in the community.
Next Steps
The group was reminded that this is not the last meeting. This Sub-council will convene again to
monitor the implementation of the strategic plan.
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Next meeting: Community Strategy Meeting, London Convention Centre Wednesday, May 26, 2010 RSVP to [email protected]
Funded by: Co-led by:
London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council
June 24, 2010
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Kinsmen Recreation Centre 3a
20 Granville St.
AGENDA
1. Welcome & Introductions
2. Approval of Meeting Minutes
3. Debrief a. May 26 Community Strategy Meeting b. Community feedback
4. Role of sub-council in relationship to the LMLIP Council
5. Next Steps – Phase Two
Funded by: Co-led by:
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London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council Thursday, June 24, 2010 Present: Mohamed Al-Adeimi, Ramona Lucan, Brian Roden, Yasmine El-Sabawi, Nancy Santos, Marel Fielding, Jill Tansley and Nina Hamou. Regrets: Mustafa Zahid, Maysaa Elsayegh and Fadela Ahmed. Welcome & Introductions Mohamed thanked the group for their attendance. Yasmine El-Sabawi was introduced as a new member. Approval of Meeting Minutes Meeting minutes from April 23, 2010 were motioned by Marel seconded by Jill. May 26 Community Strategy Meeting Mohammed indicated that the meeting truly was a celebration of the wonderful work completed despite the tight schedules. Momentum was continuous and we were able to meet to submit template. The group felt there was a general positive atmosphere and people were enthusiastic. Community Feedback Some feedback that came from the Community Strategy Meeting includes:
• Neighbourhood not interchangeable with community – distinct • Sponsorship challenges: family class immigrants who fall through cracks due to
abandoning by sponsors • “Role of men” needs to change to be more inclusive. Example: should read ‘roles of
children, men and women in the family and community or engagement of men. Staff have gone through the draft Strategic Plan to ensure consistency with the use of the terms, “neighbourhood” and “community”. In terms of sponsorship, this concept is already captured under advocacy. Also, it was explained that individuals who are abandoned by a sponsor can qualify for Ontario Works. The issue that arose due to the priority regarding “”the role of men in the community” was due to the missing context of the rationale. The need for services that engage men was taken as a focus on men to the exclusion of women. By doing this we were making an assumption that it is the men who do not engage, in some cultures it may be the women. ACTION: Staff to change language to include roles of all family members. Role of Sub-council in relationship to LMLIP Council
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Mohamed gave an overview of the letter sent to the Sub-councils. Key points include that each
Sub-council will:
• look at area specific strategies, support progress within the area and report to the Central Council through its chair
• will lead implementation of the recommended strategies while working with current members and engaging new partners as appropriate
• will work actively to support the goals identified in the plan. Next Steps Mohamed reminded the group that we will continue to meet in the Fall. This sub-council should continue to be a place to network and to share information. It was recommended that a tool be developed to allow members to network with each other. ACTION: Staff to look into creating a membership directory with and organizational link and description.
Funded by: Co-led by:
London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council
September 15, 2010
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Kinsmen Recreation Centre 2a
20 Granville St.
AGENDA
1. Welcome & Introductions
2. Approval of Meeting Minutes
3. Update on Central Council a. Review of role of Sub-Council in relationship to the LMLIP Council
4. The work of the Employment Sub-Council for this year. a. Priority #1 Determine Year 1 Objectives and establish an
implementation plan b. Priority# 2 (for future meetings this year) Determine Year 2 and 3
objectives
5. Wrap up and next meetings Documents for the meeting:
• Agenda/June24, 2010 minutes • LMLIP Final Strategic Plan • Draft Implementation Document
Co-led by:
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London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council Wednesday, September 15, 2010 Present: Mohamed Al-Adeimi, Fadela Ahmed, Mustafa Zahid, Amani Radhaa, Nancy Santos,