C o m m u n i t y

2 0 1 2

R e p o r t

CORE VALUESSocial JusticeCreating a society that is based on the dignity of every human being• Integrity• Democratic• Equalopportunities• Integration• Participation

DiversityGivingeveryindividualtheopportunitytoachievetheirpotentialandtoparticipatefullyin the community.• Respect• Inclusion• Strengths-basedapproach• Culture/age/gender/values• Spirituality

Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers

VISION ELEMENTSVivid DescriptionWeseeafuturewheremanycitizenswalkwithnewcomerstobridgetheirtransitionintocommunity.Toachievethisvisionwewillserveasakeycatalystandleadingcollaboratorinpositivelyshapingtheattitudes,behavioursandpracticesoforganizationsandindividualstovaluethediversitythatnewcomersbringtocommunity.

CompassionShowingcareandempathyfornewcomers.• Grace• Love• Hope• Humility• Fellowship

ResponsibilityActingtoachieveourgoals.• Accountability• Trust• Change• Mentoring• Ownership• Professionalism• Solution-oriented• Transparency

CORE PURPOSEToenhancequalityoflifefornewcomersandallCanadians

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. Anne Frank

It’s good to be blessed. It’s better to be a blessing. Author Unknown

The2011-2012yearhasbeengoodforAlbertaasoureconomyremainsstrongandtheprovinceenjoysprosperity,peace,andstability.TheprovinceofAlbertacontinuestobeamongthegreatestplacesintheworldtolive.Partlyasaresultofthisprosperity,theprovincehaswelcomedrecordnumbersofnewcomersduringthisperiod.

Whilegeneralconditionsinourlandarestrong,therearestillareasthatrequiregreaterattentionandeffort.Withtheincreasing number of newcomers coming toEdmonton,ensuringtheyareallgivenaproperwelcomeandareprovidedwiththeopportunitytoworkandraiseastrongfamilybecomesanincreasingchallenge,onethattheEdmontonMennoniteCentreforNewcomers(EMCN)hasmadeitsmissiontofulfill.

AsaresultofthecontinuedinfluxofnewcomerstoEdmonton,thelast12monthshavebeeneventfulatEMCN.TheAnnualGeneralMeeting(AGM)andCommunityReportareopportunitiestoreflectontheyear’s events. InAugust2011,wewerefortunatetohaveErickAmbtmanjoinusasourExecutiveDirectorandhisleadershiphasbeena

wonderfuladditiontotheEMCNfamily.Sincehisarrival,theBoardofDirectorshasgivenErickthemandatetoupgradeEMCN’sorganizationalinfrastructure,tocreateasolidfoundationofprocessesandfunctionsbehindthescenesthatsupportourfrontlinesinefficientlyandeffectivelyengagenewcomersaswewalktogetherintheirjourneytointegration into our society and economy. TheworkonthisorganizationalupgradehasbegunandtheBoardremainsinfullsupportofErickasheworkstoimplementthisessentialmandate.

AlongwithErick’sarrival,therehasalsobeentheadditionofnewmemberstotheBoardincludingSofiaKarmali,ScottMcKeen,ScottKey,NeilBargenandPeterInglis.EachhascontributedtotheBoardintheirownway,utilizingtheirdiverseskillsandbackgrounds,enhancingdiversityattheBoardlevelandaddingtothedepthoftheAgency.

OneoftheprioritiesoftheBoardthisyearhasbeentocreateandapproveaStrategicPlanthatwillserveasaroadmapfortheExecutiveDirectorandthestaffforyearstofollow.Aftermanymeetingsandconsultations,theBoardapprovedtheStrategicPlanonMay28th,2012.TheStrategicPlanwasledbytheBoardandinvolvedtheinputfromalllevelsof

While general conditions in our land are strong, there are still areas that require greater attention and effort. With the increasing number of newcomers coming to Edmonton, ensuring they are all given a proper welcome and are provided with the opportunity to work and raise a strong family becomes an increasing challenge, one that the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN) has made its mission to fulfill.

A message from the Chairman of the Board of Directors

Board of Directors 2012

DanielEggert,Chair

SofiaKarmali,Vice-Chair/Treasurer

MariaJagiello-Cathcart,Secretary

KarenLink,Director

MatWiens,Director

NeilBargen,Director

PeterInglis,Director

RickEnns,Director

ScottKey,ExecutiveMemberatLarge

ScottMcKeen,Director

SofiaYaqub,Director

staffandthefoundingchurches.

Whilemanyimportantobjectivescameoutofthisprocess,onethathasthepotentialtohaveasignificantimpactontheidentityoftheAgencywasthegoaltoconductafullGovernanceReviewwhichwillincludethewayinwhichEMCNisgoverned.TheBoardrecognizesthatasEMCNevolvestomeettheneedsofnewcomersandourcommunity,sotoomusttheBoardevolveitspracticestomeet the needs of the agency and our many communitystakeholders.

EMCN’sabilitytobestservenewcomersandourcommunitymovingforwardwillbehighlydependentonourabilitytostayrelevantbyadaptingtochangesbothamongstnewcomers and our community. We are confidentaboutthefutureofEMCNandourcityandwelookforwardtoworkingtogetherwithourmanystakeholderstohelpincreasethequalityoflifefornewcomersandforourcommunity.

SincerelyonBehalfoftheBoard,

DanielEggertChair,BoardofDirectors

Never worry about numbers.

Help one person at a time, and

always start with the person

nearest you. ~Mother Teresa

A message from the Chairman of the Board of Directors

The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?” But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?” ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

ErickAmbtmanExecutiveDirector

Message from the Executive DirectorWhenIjoinedEMCNthisyearIknewIwasjoiningagreatorganizationthatwasapillarofstrengthandhopeintheEdmontoncommunity.WhatIdidnotknowwasthatIwasjoiningateamofincrediblypassionateanddedicatedpeople.EverydayIamhumbledbythespiritandcommitmentoftheBoard,volunteersandstaffatEMCN.Itisaplacewherethepeoplewalkthetalkandputothersbeforethemselves.Overthepastyearmuchofourefforthasgone into focusing our energy and being strategic in our choices. We have a new strategicplanthatsetsoutaboldvisionforEMCNandourroleinthecommunity.Wehavearesourcesdevelopmentplanthataimstomakeusamorestableorganizationwiththemeanstoindependentlypursuestrategicobjective.WehaveacommunicationsplanwhichwillbeimplementedtoraisetheprofileofimmigrantissuesandsuccessesaswellasthatofEMCN.Wecansaywithconfidencethatweknowwherewewanttogoandhowwewillgetthere.2011/2012wasagainatransitionyear

forEMCNbutweendedtheyearwithrenewedfocusandenergy.Wealsobuiltandstrengthenedrelationshipswithourkeystakeholdersincludingfunders,partners,staffandclients.Theresulthasbeenamoretransparent,collaborative,andopenEMCNwithincreasedcapacitytomeetourstrategicobjectives.OursuccessthisyearhasbeentheresultofourcollectiveeffortandthesupportoftheEdmontoncommunity.Internally,staffateverylevelhavetakenonnewresponsibilitiesinmanydifferentcapacities.OurBoardhasaskedallthedifficultquestionsandpushedEMCNtorealizeloftyambitions.OutsideofEMCNothercommunityorganizationshavegonetogreatlengthstosupportus.Fundershavealsocommittedresourcestohelpingusmoveinanewdirection.Ittakesavillagetoraiseachildandithastakenourwholecommunitytofacilitateourtransition.EMCNwillcontinuetopursueourambitiontobecomeatrulygreatorganization,empoweringandsupportingournewcitizensandplayingakeyroleinthecontinuedgrowthofthiswonderfulcity.

ThisyearwasanexcitingandinterestingoneforourEMCNemploymentteamintheWelcomeCentreforImmigrants(WCI).LocatedinthelivelymulticulturalcommunityinsouthEdmonton,WCIisoneoftheoldestnot-for-profitcollaborationsinEdmonton.Itisauniquewrap-aroundinitiativetohelpnewlyarrivedimmigrantsthroughthelocalmosaicofinformationandresourcesunder one roof.

In2011-12,WCIhasseen 2252 newcomers and arranged68employmentworkshopswithparticipantsfromallovertheworld–includingIndia,Pakistan,Bangladesh,Philippines,China,Korea,Afghanistan,Nigeria,Chile,Romania,Iran,SriLanka,Sudan,ElSalvador,Ukraine,Congo,Somalia,Colombia,FijiandSierraLeone.

WCI’senthusiasticteamhasfivefull-timestaff–fourcareerpractitionersandonejobdeveloper.LanguagesspokenincludeSomali,Arabic,Hindi,Urdu,Punjabiandmanymore.StaffmembersarealwaysreadytohelpnewcomersprepareaCanadianstyleresumefromscratch,guidethemthroughlocalresourcesandtakecareofallthenitty-grittytoempowertheminthejobmarket.Besidespracticingtraditionalcareerserviceapproaches,thisyeartheWCIteamhasusedsocialmediatohelpclientsevenbetter.WCI’sfirsteversocialnetworkingsites,aTwitteraccountandajobblogpost,wentonlineintheearlymonthsofthisfinancialyear.Twitterandthejobblogspothavehelpednewcomersintensivelywithjobsearchesinthepastfewmonths.NowWCIhas1,547followersinTwitterandstillcounting!!

In2012-2013,WCIexpectstoseea60percentincreaseinitsclientsbyprovidingservicesto4000newcomers.Tomeetthisgoal,WCIisexpandingandwearegladtosaythatweareaddinganother7000Sqftofspaceinourexistingfacilityonthe2ndfloorofthesamebuildingandwillhavemoreprogramsandservicesforourclientswith8newcolleaguesinourteamduringnextyear.

 

“I  cannot  believe  that  I  can  perform  in  an  Interview  like  I  did,  I  felt  myself  confident  because  of  the  direction  and  support  extended  by  the  WCI  team.”  –    a  newcomer  

Employment Team in Welcome Centre for Immigrants (WCI)

WCIhad68employmentworkshopsin2011-2012

Settlement support for youth and their families through the school setting continues to evolve and grow. ThiswasoursecondyearofinvolvementintheREACHSchoolsasHubprogramminginMcCauleyandBalwinschools.ThisprogramisexpandingintoEdithRogersSchoolandJ.PercyPageinMillwoods.WehavebeeninvolvedintheEdithRogersschoolcommunityforthepasttwoyearsasmorenewcomersmoveintothisschoolarea.TheSchoolsasHubsconceptallowsustobringinprogramsasanagencythatincludeanafter-schoolprogramforthechildrenandyouth,aswellasEALclasses,sewingclassesandcitizenshipclassesforadults,dependingonwhatthecommunityisrequesting.

OurSettlementinSchoolsworkfocusesontwo areas

1) Supportingfamilies,youthandschoolstaffthroughbrokeringculturalunderstanding

2) Supportingin-schoolandafter-schoolprogrammingforacademicsuccess

Thisyear,twenty-twoschoolscalledonustoprovideculturalinsightandsupportforbridgingunderstandingandsupportingnewcomeryouthindividually.

Wealsosupportedover50familiesthroughvaryingtypesofcrises,includingteensleavinghomeforvariousreasons,andfindingwaystoreunitefamiliesorsupportyouthwhoarenowon their own.

Wehavebeeninvolvedinsixschoolsonaregularbasisofferingin-schoolsupport,after-schoolprogrammingandrecreationalprograms.InQueenElizabethHighSchoolandBalwinElementaryandJuniorHighSchool,wehaveadailypresence.Intheotherschools,wesupporttheyouthbetweenoneandtwodaysaweek.

Belowisabreakdownofnumbersofstudentsourprogrammingisimpacting. • QueenElizabethHighCultureClub: 20youth• QueenElizabethHighRecreationProgram: 30youth• Balwinafterschoolprogramming: 45childrenandyouth• EdithRogersJuniorHighSchool: 25youth• BelvedereElementarySchool: 20children• JohnDBraccoJuniorHighSchool: 16youth• JohnBarnettElementarySchool: 3children• Girlsprogramming: 75girlsinthreeschools

LastsummerwehadasuccessfulsummerprogramoutofBalwinSchoolincollaborationwithpartneragencies.Over70childrenandyouthattendedthefourweekprogramthatincludedliteracyandnumeracyactivitiesaswellas recreation and crafts.

Thetwogrowingareasofourworkintheschoolsthisyearrevolvedaroundarecreationprogramforboysandprogrammingspecificallyforgirls.WhenyouthexpressedinterestandenthusiasmaroundhavingaMondaynightsoccerandWednesdaymorningbasketballatQueenElizabethHigh,ourstaffworkerHusseinSugullemadeithappen.SinceOctoberoflastyear,youthfromQueenElizabethhavebeengatheringtoplaysportstogether.Theresulthas been engagement of immigrant youth who otherwisehavebeendis-engagedfromtheschoolcommunity.Ourhopeistobuildonthisfornextyearandprovidemoreopportunityforreflectiononpositiveengagementandleadershipdevelopmentasyouthgothroughtheirhighschoolyears.

Theotherprojectgrewoutofadesireonthepartofgirlstohave“girls-only”activities.OurEMCNstaffmember,AmyJeannotte,organized“CelebratingInnerBeauty”–aneventthatbroughtgirlsfromallculturestogetherinthreedifferentschoolcommunitiestoparticipateinactivitiessuchascreatingabannertogether,doinghennaartoneachother,anddancingtogether.Thegirlsweredelightedwiththeexperience.AnoutgrowthofthisexperiencewasafashionshoworganizedbythegirlsofQueenElizabethHighthatincludedfashion,danceandsharing ethnic food.

Through the generous funding from the FederalandProvincialGovernment,theCityofEdmonton,thePublicSchoolBoardandagrantfromTELUSforourworkwithimmigrantgirls,weareabletoplayasupportiveroletotheschoolstaff,thefamilies,andthechildrenandyouthinvolvedinschoolingthroughourpublicschoolsystem.

Plant flowers in others’ gardens and your life becomes a bouquet!

Author Unknown

Thisprogramisallaboutsettingthestageforfuturesuccess.The2011-2012studentbodycommittedmoreofthemselves,challengedmoreoftheirbeliefsandvalues,andembracedthetransitiontoanewworkculturewithnewcommunicationstyleswithopenarms.Aftercompleting4monthsatEMCN,wheretheyenhancedtheirknowledgeofengineeringbusinesscommunication,Canadianworkplacecultureandhonedtheircomputerskills,

69 civil,mechanical,electricalandindustrialelectronicsengineeringprofessionalsheadedofftoNAITtorefreshtheirEngineeringknowledgethroughcourseworkinAppliedEngineering-to“Canadianize”theirengineeringskills.Onceonthejobsearchtrail,graduateswereprovidedTechnologistinTrainingmembershipswiththeAssociationofScienceandEngineeringTechnologistProfessionalsofAlberta(ASET)anddirectedjobsearchsupportbyEMCN.Theresultofalltheirhardwork?

Anincredible 98% engineering employmentsuccessratewithannualsalariesrangingbetween$78.000to$136,000.

Engineers’ and Technologists’ Integration Program Accountants’ Bridging

ProgramTheAccountants’BridgingProgramassistsinternationallyeducatedaccountingorfinanceprofessionalstotransitionintomeaningfulaccountingrelatedemploymentwhileconnectingtheprogramparticipantswiththeaccountingregulatorthatfeelmostcomfortableinpursuingadesignationwith:CGA,CMAorCA.Theprogramhasoneintakeperyear,withclassesstartinginSeptemberandendinginJuly.In2011/201215candidatesareenrolledintheprogram.Theprogramhasnotyetconcludedandsomeoftheparticipantsalreadyhaveappropriateemployment.

Payroll Clerks’ ProgramsThePayrollClerks’ProgramdiffersfromETIPandABPinthatitisatrainingprogram.This means that candidates from a range ofprofessionalbackgroundscanenrol.Weencourageprofessionalswithbackgroundsinaccounting,book-keepingorevenOfficeAdministrationtoapply,becausetheseareasaremostcloselyconnectedwithLaurie,theoccupationofpayrollclerk.AsisthecasewithAccountants’BridgingProgramthereisonlyoneintakeperyearforthisprogram.Thisisan8-monthprogramwithclassesrunningfromMaytoDecember.21clientswereenrolledintheprogramin2011.

Enhanced Language Training Program (Research and Curriculum Development)

TheWorkplace-basedAccountingLanguageandCultureCurriculumDevelopmentProgram.

Thisfederallyandprovinciallyfundedprojecthastheobjectiveofcreatingeffectivecommunicationmaterialsandlearningopportunitiesforforeign-trainedaccountantsbasedonauthenticCanadianworkplacecommunication.

Thefirststepwastogotocorporatepartnersandactuallygetauthenticsamplesofcommunicationinaccountingworkplaces.NayarLopezofEMCNthenanalyzedthesesamplesandcategorizedthemintocommunicationtasks.NayarthendevelopedlessonsthatwouldhelplearnersincarryingoutthesetasksandpilotedlessonsintheAccountingBridgingProgramatEMCN.Afterwards,lessonswereassembledintoaworkbookthatwascompletedinAprilofthisyear.

Aspartoftheproject,EMCNpartneredwithAthabascaUniversitytoconvertoneofthelessonsintoapilotonlinelesson.Thefeedbackfromparticipantsofboththetext-basedandonlinelessonshasbeenpositive.Hereareafewcommentsfromtheirfeedback:

“It’sagoodmaterialforuswhocomefromothercountrytoprepareusintherealCanadianworkplace.”

“Itteachesushowtodopropervoicemailing,veryhelpfultoourworkandineverydaycommunication.Makesusvery

professionalinwork.”

“Iwantmoreofthis.Thiswillhelpmeinmyfuture.”

“E-learninglessonhelpsalot,especiallytopeoplewhoareverybusy,sothey

canlearnthingsattheirownpaceortime.”

ThanksgoestothegovernmentsofCanadaandAlbertafortheirfundingsupport,EMCN’scorporatepartnersandAthabascaUniversityforassistingtheprojectandalltheaccounting

professionalswhoparticipatedinthepilotingofthelessons.

You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Mahatma Ghandi

Health & Wellbeing Services Report - 2011Throughout2011,theHealth&WellbeingServicesTeamcontinuedtoseeincreasedgrowthinthenumberofmultilayered,complexcases.Ourteamservedjustover

590uniqueclientsfrom72countries. Anoverarchinggoalinallareashasbeentobuildstrongercollaborativeworkingrelationships.Thishelpsprovideclientswithasmoother,moreresponsive,clientfriendlyreferralprocess.Throughexistingandnewcollaborations,wehaveencounterednewpossibilitiesbothfortheclientswealreadyserveandincreasedopportunitiesforoutreach.

SocialWorksupportandcrisisinterventionhascontinuedtobeextremelybusythrough2011.Itappearsthatasourserviceshavebecomebetterknown,wefindincreasinglycomplexcases.Inanumberofthose,individualsorfamiliesareinvolvedwithmultiplesystemsandserviceproviders.Thesecasescanbetaxingintermsofourtimeandresources;therefore,internalandexternalservicecoordinationhasbecomeagreaterfocusofourworkBydoingthis,wehopetoavoidhugeinvestmentsofresourceswithoutimprovementinoutcomes.BenefitsofthecoordinatedapproachincludetheavoidanceofduplicationofservicesfrompartnerssuchasChild&FamilyServices(CFSA),CatholicSocialServices(CSS),MulticulturalHealthBrokers(MCHB);aswellasbridgingthegapsthatsomeofourclientsfallinto.Wearebeginningtoseegains in terms of increased communication betweenserviceproviders,andfamiliesfeelingthattheyarebeingcollectivelyheld,ratherthanpassedaroundfromservicetoservice.

Ourgroupprograms–forparents,LanguageforLife:HelpingYourYouthFindTheirWay,andforyouth–FindingTheirWayhavecontinuedtogrowandflourish.Thesetwoaspectsofourprogrammingwerenewinitiativesthatstartedin2010.Wehavebeenworkingwiththe

“First of all, all of the new immigrants should know about Language for Life

because they want to live in Canada. This information is useful for them. Secondly, I encourage our classmates to take this course, especially who have children. In my opinion, most of the topics that you talked about in this class were useful

like education, Canadian culture and a movie that you showed us. I think your

group talked about everything that a new immigrant needs to live better in Canada.”

communityondevelopingthegroupsandthecurriculum,therehavealsobeenanumberofpositiveoutcomesforparticipants.WepartneredwithstafffromEMCN’sSettlementinSchoolsteamtoprovidepsycho-educationalFindingYourWaygroupsatQueenElizabethHighSchool.FollowingisanexcerptoffeedbackreceivedfromoneofourLanguageforLifeparticipants:

Our programs to support immigrant families with young children revolve around the following goals:

Literacy: Buildingblocksofstrongliteracybeginwithstrongfirstlanguageskills.Weencourageparentstopassonastrongfirstlanguagethroughstorytellingandsingingandotherinteractionswiththeirchildren.TheprogramalsoworksontheEnglishliteracyskillsoftheparentstoempowerthemtonavigateinanEnglish-speakingworld.Andtheprogramforthechildrenprovidesopportunitiestodeveloppre-literacyskillsthroughdrawing,readingbooksandengaginginstoriesduringcircletime.

Integration: Havingopportunitiestobuildcommunityandlearnaboutresourcesisasecondcomponentofthisprogram.Throughfieldtripstothelibrary,toalocalschool,andtoplacessuchasFortEdmontonPark,parentsaredirectlyinvolvedintheirchildren’slearningjourney.Aswell,weofferaskatingandswimmingprogramforpre-schoolagechildrenandtheiroldersiblingstogiveasafeandaffordableopportunityforaccessingprograms.

Child and Family Services:

Early intervention:

Exploringinterculturalparentingskillsiscriticaltosuccessfulintegration.Thisprogramcreatesopportunitiesfordiscussionsaboutissuesrelatedtoparenting.Aswell,throughhomevisits,stafflearnmoreaboutthefamiliesparticipatingintheprogramandareabletoofferholisticsupport.Parentshaveidentifiedalongingtogettogetheroutsideoftheprogramtobuildcommunityandtolearnfromeachother.ThroughEMCNstaffbrokeringofrelationships,parentshavebeenconnectedtoeachother,havemadefriends,andhavereducedtheirisolation.

• Wehave149momswhowentthroughtheprogramfromJanuary2011toDecember2011.• Wealsohave146childrenwhoparticipatedwiththeirmoms.• Weengagedwith138parentsthroughhomevisitsandholisticsupport

WehaveoneyoungSomalimomwhojoinedourprogram;shedoesnothaveanyextendedfamilyorfriendsinthecity.AMulticulturalHealthBrokerreferredhertoourprogram.Shewaslittlebitshyatthebeginningbuteventuallymadefriends.ShebecameaverygoodfriendwithaRomanianmotheraSudanesemotherandanotherSomalimother.Theymeetoutsidetheprogram;taketheirkidstoplacestogether.Theyalsomeetasafamily.Theysharedthefollowingstory:Onetime,theSudaneseandSomalimomsarrangedasleep-overforthemselvesandthekidsinonehome and their husbands hung out together in the otherhome!Everyoneseemedtohaveenjoyedthiscross-culturalexperience.

We can do no great things, only small things with great love. - Mother Teresa

TheCESIprogramoffersshort-termemploymentintervention,assistanceandsupportforimmigrantslookingtodevelopacareerand/ordevelopmeaningful,long-termemployment.Theprogramfocusesonprovidingin-depthassessmentfromqualifiedCareerPractitionersfollowedbysupportandreferraltohelpthoseweservereachtheirspecificemploymentgoals.Itsupportsimmigrantsthatarelow-skilledwithlittleornoformaltrainingoreducationwhoarenotborninCanadaandlookingforlongtermorshorttermemployment.Oncewereceivetheclient,thecounsellorwillplacehimorheron12weeksjobplacement.Thecounselorwillworkverycloselywiththeclientandfollowupwithsupportinfindingwork.

Othersupportsofferedare:

PaidWorkplaceTrainingOpportunitieswhichaimstoprovidenewskillsforimmigrantswhohavenothadtheopportunitytobetrainedinaspecificfield.AmajorpurposeoftheWTPistohelpemployersinvestinemployeepotential.ThismeanssupportandfinancialincentivesforemployerswhoarewillingtotakeonthetrainingorresponsibilityforEMCNclients.

Onsiteemploymentworkshopscustomizedtomeettheneedsofthespecificclientgroups(ENG)

EmployerLiaisonandJobDevelopmentservices

Events-JobFairs,InformationSessions,andMockinterviews

ExposurecoursesuchasFirstAid,WHMIS,H2SAlive,ForkliftSafety,CSTS,OSSA

Transportation–BusticketsorBuspassesareprovidedwithcounselorapproval

CESICAREER EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANT

Recent Success StoriesThecounselormetaclientlastNovemberwhohadtroublefindingemployment.Theresumewasrevisedandanemploymentworkshopwasprovidedfortheclienttoprepareforajob.ThenextstepwastorefertheclienttoEL/JD(EmployerLiaisonandJobDeveloper).EL/JD’sdutyistoplacetheclientwiththeemployer.EL/JDfoundajobfortheclientbutshequitaftertwodaysbecauseshedidn’tfeelsafetakingthebuslateintheeveningandhadtroublefindingsomeonelookingafterherbaby.Theclientkeptlookingforjobsbutencounteredtransportationandbabysittingproblems.Finally,shemanagedtofindadaycarenearby.Thisendedherbabysittingconcernsandtheclientisnowworkingfulltimeasabinderyworker.

Thecounsellor’ssupportplaysaveryimportantroleintheclient’slifebecauseitprovidestheclientwithhopeandmotivationtocontinuouslyseektheidealjobandtonotgiveuponthisdream.Inorderforanygoaltobereached,itisimportanttohelptheclientmaintainthemomentuminhisjourneyofcareerdevelopment.

Statistically,wehavebeenservingover617 individualswhoreceiveddirect

counsellingservicesfromourCESIEmploymentteamandUptodatewehad190 jobplacements.Almost5000

individualswerehandledthroughourreceptionarealastfiscalyear.

“Ireallyappreciateyourunderstandingandsupportregardingtheoilrigjob.Thankyoufortakingachanceonmeandforyour

neverendingsupportandencouragement.You’vebeenrightthere,helpingoutwhereverandwheneverneededforthesepastmonths.Sendingmeallkindofopportunitiesandsendingmyresumetoemployer,Idon’treallyknowhowcanIrepayyou,you’reoneofakind.Again,deeplyfrommyheartthankyousomuchforyourhelp.Igreatlyappreciatetheassistanceyouhaveprovidedme.Peoplereallyneedsomeonelikeyoutohelpthemwiththeirfuture,Iamverygladtospeakandsaythatyourmanagerdidn’tregrettoput

youwhereyouarerightnow.”

EMNCclient.

2012 Deficiency

425%

171K

41K

2011 Deficiency

Reduced

Revenuestnarg tnemnrevog laicnivorP

stnarg tnemnrevog laredeFstnarg margorp rehtO

Rentgnisiardnuf dna snoitanoD

seef noitartsigeR emocni tnemtsevnI

2012 2011

861,053,3$939,933,3$841,509,2943,398,2528,891,1412,441,1

232,877 290,582744,48552,602222,44378,54

654,3 22,055

7,865,963 7,895,447

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONSFOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2012

RevenuesExpenses

Expensesstifeneb dna seiralaS

ecnanetniam dna seitilitu ,tneRsecivres tcartnoC

evitartsinimdAsecruoseR

noitazitromAecnanetniam dna sriaper ,tnempiuqE

Excess (Deficiency) of Revenue over Expenses

254,622,5$124,310,5$926,883,1328,904,1664,666032,877719,233816,053870,582731,912230,57458,88

092,74 91,394

7,907,373 8,065,968

$ (41,410) $ (170,521)

ISP Integrted Services Programtrends and statistics for the 2011 – 2012 fiscal yearThe2011-2012ISPreportingyearhasbeenverysuccessful.WiththeconcertedeffortsfromallofourSettlementand

“A big thank you to you for your professionalism and people skills ... it helped in making the last five days...more than just a learning experience”.

“I just wanted to share the joyous news. I was just told that I was successful in obtaining the permanent post as Registry Clerk at Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission”.

“Thank you very much for all that you have done. I really appreciated your dedication and tenacity in giving me all the tools I needed to make this transition”.

ERCgraduates

• Thenumberofindependentimmigrantscomingforservicesatallourlocationshasremainedconstantthroughoutthefiscalyearat43%ofthetotalintake.ThemajorityoftheseprofessionalimmigrantsarefromIndia(18%),Philippines(10%),Pakistan(4%)andNigeriaandChina(2%).

• EMCNnotonlyservesindependentimmigrantsbutisalsocommittedtoothercategoriesofclientswhoareprivateor

CareerPractitionersundertheISPfunded

agreement,the agency has exceededtheprojectedannualtargetof1975clientsby198,bringingthetotalclientsservedduringthe

fiscalyearto2173 intheareasofOrientation/Information/Referral;Translation/Interpretation;SupportiveCounselingandEmploymentServices.Thisrepresentedplus110%

governmentsponsoredrefugees,andconventionalrefugees.Duringthisfiscalyear,wehaveprovidedservicestoabout28%ofclientswhofallunderthePermanentResidentsConventionRefugeesorProtectedPersons,while22%oftheclientsarealsofamilysponsored.Theserefugeeshaveoriginated from refugee source countries such asSomalia(11%),Ethiopia(9%),Sudan(3%),Eritrea(3%),andIraq(3%)Colombia(2%),Afghanistan(1%),Congo(1%),andotherWestAfrican countries.

2012 Deficiency

425%

171K

41K

2011 Deficiency

Reduced

Revenuestnarg tnemnrevog laicnivorP

stnarg tnemnrevog laredeFstnarg margorp rehtO

Rentgnisiardnuf dna snoitanoD

seef noitartsigeR emocni tnemtsevnI

2012 2011

861,053,3$939,933,3$841,509,2943,398,2528,891,1412,441,1

232,877 290,582744,48552,602222,44378,54

654,3 22,055

7,865,963 7,895,447

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONSFOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2012

RevenuesExpenses

Expensesstifeneb dna seiralaS

ecnanetniam dna seitilitu ,tneRsecivres tcartnoC

evitartsinimdAsecruoseR

noitazitromAecnanetniam dna sriaper ,tnempiuqE

Excess (Deficiency) of Revenue over Expenses

254,622,5$124,310,5$926,883,1328,904,1664,666032,877719,233816,053870,582731,912230,57458,88

092,74 91,394

7,907,373 8,065,968

$ (41,410) $ (170,521)

Wesupporttheeffortsofpeopleinfindingtheirownsolutionstoproblemsratherthanimposingsolutions.Webelievethanwhencommunitiescometogethertofindsolutionsandimprovetheirownlives,theresultiscapacitybuildingandapermanentstrengthening of the community and renewed hopefortheindividualsandfamilies.Ouractivitiesinclude:

1) EntrepreneurshipTheEntrepreneurshipforNewcomersprojectisapartnershipbetweenEMCNandtheWildmanInstitute.Theprojecthasevolvedoverthepastyearasaninnovativeapproachtodeliveringanewandcreativeentrepreneurshipinitiativeforimmigrants.Itfillsagapinthecurrentsupplyofentrepreneurshipsupportfornewcomerswhoarestrugglingfinancially,butwhohavecreativebusinessideasandthepassiontocontribute.Theprogramhasexpandedtoincludementorship,withthehelpoftheImmigrantEntrepreneurMentorshipProgramsponsoredbyBusinessLink.OurgoalistolinkimmigrantentrepreneurswithAlbertanswhohaveexperiencedoingbusinessinourprovinceandcity.Atotalof54entrepreneursweretrainedduringtheyearwiththehelpofmore than 500 hours of coaching hours

2) Ethno-cultural Organizational Capacity BuildingTheCapacityBuildingProjectisapartnershipoffourorganizationssupportedbytheCityofEdmontonCommunityServicesDepartment.ThepartnersincludeActionfor

HealthyCommunities,Multi-culturalCoalition,Edmonton,AlbertaCultureandCommunityServices,andtheEdmontonMennoniteCentre.In2011,atotalof15communityworkshops-asetofthreeworkshopscoveringfiveareasoforganizationalcapacitybuilding--weredeliveredwiththeoverallgoalofincreasingthecapacityofethno-culturalcommunityleaderstoservetheircommunities.Atotalof203people,representing29differentethno-culturalcommunities,attendedtheworkshops.

3) The Community Partnership Leadership ChallengeThepartnershipgroupisagroupof17ethno-culturalcommunityleadersthathavebeenworkingtogetherforthreeyearstofindsolutionstotheircommunitychallenges.Theymeetmonthlytonetworkandmotivateeachotherinordertobettersupporttheircommunities.

If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. If you want to touch the

future, touch a life. Author Unknown

Community Development

2011/2012

4) Youth SupportThroughouttheschoolyearEMCNisbeeninvolvedinmanyinandoutofschoolprogramsforimmigrantyouthincludingSt.FrancisofAssisiHomeworkclub,SaturdayEMCNhomeworkclubandEdithRogersGirlsgroup,whichhaveallmadetremendousprogress.Therehavebeenworkshopsandguestspeakersonbullying,selfesteem,bodyimage,publicspeaking,gambling,leadership,andartprojects.ThroughanInnerbeautycelebration,fieldtripsandrecreationtheyouthhavebeenabletofeelempoweredtobecomeleadersinnotonlytheirschoolsbutintheircommunities.Morethan70youthhaveparticipatedintheprograms.

5) I-WINImmigrantWomenIntegrationNetwork(IWIN)wasan18monthprojectfundedbyStatusofWomenCanada.ThegoalofI-WINwastoworkwithimmigrantwomentobuildtheirleadershipskills,broadentheirnetworksbylinkingthewomentovolunteeropportunitiesand community resources and by using a strength-basedapproachtohelpthewomenworktowardstheircareerandpersonalgoals.TheprojectconcludedinNovemberof2011withacompletionrateof85%oftheparticipants.ThesuccessofI-WINisnotaboutthecompletionratebuttheimpactithasmadeonthelivesofthe98participants.To date most of the women have formed networksandhavemonthlymeetingsandseveralhavebeenemployedwithinEMCNoncontractualandfulltimejobs.

ISP Employment Readiness Class TheIntegratedServicesProgramemploymentteamatEMCNprovidesEmploymentReadinessClassesfornewcomerstoCanadainordertohelpthemimprovetheirjobreadinessskills.TheclasscoversCanadianworkculture,labourmarketinformation,resume/coverletterwriting,jobsearch,jobapplication,interviewpreparation,rightsandresponsibilitiesintheworkplace,training/fundinginformation,financialliteracyandothersettlementresources.ERCstudentsparticipateindifferentgroupactivitiesincludingroleplayinterviews.Guestspeakersindifferentareassuchasbankingandlawareinvitedtoprovideinformationusefulfornewcomers.Wealsoinviteemployerstomockinterviews,whichallERCstudentsgreatlyappreciate.AftercompletingERC,studentsreceiveacertificateandmeetwithjobdeveloperswhoassistthemwithjobsearchintheJob

Club.MostERCstudentsenjoylearningnewskillsandmakingnewfriendsinthegroup.Manyofthemstillkeepintouchtosupporteachother.ERCgraduatesoftenfindworkintheirfields(e.g.,accounting,engineering,sales,marketing,pharmacyandadministration)andaremakingavaluablecontribution to Canadian society.

OneofthepastERCgraduatesoriginallycametoEdmontonfromJamaicaasanindependentimmigrantin2010.SheobtainedherBachelorofScienceDegreeinProfessionalManagementandhadcustomerserviceandadministrationexperienceinaviation,accountingandautomotivesalescompanies.WhensheattendedtheERC,shewasquitenewtoEdmontonanddidnothavemuchinformationrelatedtoemployment.Shewantedtofindworkin the customer service or administration fields.SheactivelyparticipatedinallgroupactivitiesandsuccessfullycompletedtheERC.Assoonasshestartedsendingherresumestodifferentemployers,shereceivedinterviewphonecalls.ShesuccessfullylandedaRegistryClerkjobatAlbertaGamingandLiquorCommissionin2010andwaspromotedtoanExecutiveAssistantpositionwiththesameemployerin2011.

CIIPthe Canadian Immigrant Integration Program

CIIPprovidesfreepre-departureorientationtoFederalSkilledWorkers,ProvincialNominees,theirspousesandadultdependents,whiletheyarestilloverseasduringthefinalstagesoftheimmigrationprocess.CIIPhelpsimmigrantsprepareforeconomicsuccessbyproviding

information,planningandonlinesupportthroughpartnersinCanada.

TotalnumberofclientsservedbytheEMCNOnlineAdvisorfortheperiodApril2011–March2012:

463CIIPgraduatesarebetterpreparedthanotherimmigrantsforintegrationintoCanadianlabourmarketandthesuccessrateismuchhigher:73%foundemploymentwithin3monthsafter

arrival;93%within6months;59%wereemployedinthesameorrelatedoccupation(firstjob);and22%atthesamelevelorhigher(firstjob).

1 Abakar,Reiman2 Abdulkadir,Abdufatah3 Adamowicz,Karol4 Afzal,Muhammad5 Agbor,Frankline6 Ali,Hiba7 Ali,Mana8 Ali,Nima9 Allaf,Nahid10 Ambtman,Erick11 Aminzadah,Sharif12 Ancy,Rani13 Andriuk,Terry14 Atia,Nadra15 Au,Veronica16 Baba,Randa17 Baergen,Don18 Begashaw,Lule19 Beiner,Susann20 Bekono,Adelaide21 Bhavsar,Karuna22 Bradley,Karen23 Budnick,Annie24 Cai,Qing25 Cerna,Ariela26 Chan,Mei-Chi27 Chang,Jianmin28 Chell,Wanda29 Chernaeva,Elena30 Chin,Wendy31 Croll,Su32 Cudmore,Valerie33 Davis,Ronda34 Dean,Doreen35 Deen-Kamara,Bandalay36 Diaz,Dorys37 Doane,Gail38 Duong,Christine39 ElSaghir,Mohamed40 ElSaghir,Siham41 El-Bouhali,Chouaib42 Eltayb,Ala43 Fatona,Olutoyin44 Garang,Aluk45 Garcia-Hoyt,Delmy46 Gross,Suzanne47 Grossi,Daisy

48 Grover,Shikha49 Guleed,Nuro50 Hagenimana,Jerome51 Hall,Beth52 Haq,Riazul53 Hassan,Aisha54 Hassan,Ayan55 Hauer,Laurie56 Huizinga,Dolores57 Ivanyk,Lesya58 Jeannotte,Amy59 Johal,Rajinder60 Johnson,Elsie61 Kater,Marilyn62 Khader,Rukhsana63 Khalema,Ernest64 Khan,Aftab65 Khan,Noreen66 Kim,Eun-Jin67 Klettke,Meghan68 Klinck,Louise69 Kurien,Bonnie70 Lako,Lucia71 Lawson-body,Yolande72 Linschoten,Karin73 LopezVillegas,Nayar74 Lopez,Digna75 Lopez,Greg76 Loteka,Rita77 Lu,Peiwen78 Luri,Joseph79 Mahdi,Ali80 Manginsay,Glynis81 Mann,Elaine82 Matthews,Karen83 Mendoza,Deanna84 Muganga,Lawrence85 Nunez,Ana86 Nur,Fatima87 Nutter,Monique88 Odegard,Charlynn89 Oliver-McBride,Marty90 Orobio,Jaime91 Osman,Said92 Parekh,Sunita93 Patel,Prakash94 Phan,Oanh

95 Pratoomporn,Sam96 Raulin,Laurel97 Rempel,Judy98 Ripley,Daniel99 Ruhigisha,Joy100 Sabour,Arzoo101 Sabra,Sanaa102 Saksaranrome,Wanna103 Salat,Ashish104 Sami,Lubna105 Schmuhl,Chissa106 Schmuhl,Derrick107 Scott,Jacqueline108 Shahid,Muhammad109 Shan,Ying110 Shebanksy,William111 Sicilia,Juan112 Sillito,Judy113 Siltan,Asmarech114 Singh,Amarjot115 Smolova,Klara116 Sommers,Jane117 Sotonwa,Nicole118 Stevens,Amy119 Stogrin,Nicole120 Sugulle,Hussein121 Swayne,Ludivina(Marcella)122 Tadaiyon,Sepideh123 Tesfaslasie,Zige124 Trembly,Rispah125 Ukubalidet,Yosief126 Uwera,Margaret127 Villegas,AdarveNancy128 Virji,Yasmin129 Warsame,Halimo130 Wiyual,John131 Woldehanna,Meseret132 Woldeyohnnes,Tigist133 Wong,Betty134 Wong,Nettie135 Yesufu,Rafiat136 Yirsaw,Yohannes137 Yousuf,Tuttun138 Yussuf,Hodan139 Zacharias,Lillian140 Zalcik,James

2011-2012 EMCN STAFF

95 Pratoomporn,Sam96 Raulin,Laurel97 Rempel,Judy98 Ripley,Daniel99 Ruhigisha,Joy100 Sabour,Arzoo101 Sabra,Sanaa102 Saksaranrome,Wanna103 Salat,Ashish104 Sami,Lubna105 Schmuhl,Chissa106 Schmuhl,Derrick107 Scott,Jacqueline108 Shahid,Muhammad109 Shan,Ying110 Shebanksy,William111 Sicilia,Juan112 Sillito,Judy113 Siltan,Asmarech114 Singh,Amarjot115 Smolova,Klara116 Sommers,Jane117 Sotonwa,Nicole118 Stevens,Amy119 Stogrin,Nicole120 Sugulle,Hussein121 Swayne,Ludivina(Marcella)122 Tadaiyon,Sepideh123 Tesfaslasie,Zige124 Trembly,Rispah125 Ukubalidet,Yosief126 Uwera,Margaret127 Villegas,AdarveNancy128 Virji,Yasmin129 Warsame,Halimo130 Wiyual,John131 Woldehanna,Meseret132 Woldeyohnnes,Tigist133 Wong,Betty134 Wong,Nettie135 Yesufu,Rafiat136 Yirsaw,Yohannes137 Yousuf,Tuttun138 Yussuf,Hodan139 Zacharias,Lillian140 Zalcik,James

EMCNdeliversawidevarietyofpart-timeoptionsforEnglishlanguageclassesandcontinuestobealeaderinthecityinLINCandincreativeprogrammingthatrespondswelltotheneedsofnon-traditionalstudents-thosewithlittleformaleducationandliteracyskillsintheirfirstlanguage,withmultiplebarrierstolearningincludingfinancialandtimestressors,largefamilies,andminimalsupports.

ThisyearweembarkedonanationalpilotprojectsponsoredbyCitizenshipandImmigrationCanadatointroduceportfolio-basedlanguageassessment(PBLA)intothefederally-fundedLanguageInstructionforNewcomerstoCanada(LINC)program.

Hereareourstatisticsfortheyear.

SummaryofLanguageServicesTypeofClass NumberofstudentsperyearLINCClasses 20part-timeclasses;childcareavail-

able800

LINCforSeniors 1classservingBhutaneserefugeeswithdisabilities

40

CommunityEnglishLanguageClasses

7classeshelddowntownandwestend

200

EnglishlanguageforSeniors

6classeshelddowntown 250

EnglishlanguageforparentsinTransitionSchools

4classesheldatBalwinandMcCau-leySchools

100

ParentingandLiteracy 4classesformomswithpre-schoolchildren,childcareincluded

75

EnglishforTemporaryForeignWorkers

Inexpensivefee-for-serviceclassesintheeveninglocateddowntown

40

ACETESOLTeacherTrainingProgram

Offeredtwiceayear;100hourpro-gramplus20hourpracticum;recog-nizedbyTESLCanada

20

1520

Language Services

2012 RISE AWARDS

2012 RISE AWARDS

TheCommunityAwardswerealsoheldattheWestinasareceptionintheevening.Wellover230peopleattendedthiscolourfuleventthatfeatureddance,musicandpoetry.

CommunityLeadershipAward:AbdulAzizKhan.Dr.KhanhasreflectedleadershipqualitiessincehisarrivaltoCanadain1975.HeisawellknownandrespectedvolunteerintheEdmontonMuslimcommunity.

CommunityInitiativeAward(Individual):WilsonDaved.Mr.Davedisarespectedbusinessprofessionalaswellasaleaderintheareaofrefugeesponsorshipandsupport.

Arts,CultureandAthleticsAward:AhmedAli.ASomalibornCanadianpoet,AhmedAliisastrongrolemodelforyouthandisthepoetinresidenceatEMCN.

YouthAchievementAward:AbdulrashidAli.CurrentlyastudentatQueenElizabethHigh,AbdulrashidcametoCanadain2005fromarefugeecampinKenya.HeiswellrespectedbyhisSomalipeers.

CommunityInitiativeAward(Organization):EdmontonHeritageDaysFestival.Forover30yearsthisfestivalisCanada’slargestmulticulturalcelebration.The3dayeventattracts300,000peoplewhoareeagertolearnaboutandcelebratedifferentcultures.

LifetimeAchievementAward:HankZyp.Mr.ZypcametoCanadawithlittleeducationandfinancesin1953.Hesucceededinbecomingateacherand,withhiswifeTillie,ledalifededicatedtohelpingothersbothhereandabroad.

EdmontonMennoniteCentreforNewcomerswouldliketoacknowledgeoursponsorsandpartnersfortheRISEAwards.WeespeciallyacknowledgeandthankNorQuestCollegewhichhassupportedtheeventforthelastthreeyears.

NorQuestCollegeCTVWorleyParsonsCoSynNAITMcElhanneyERIECTheWestinInviteRightEdmontonMennoniteCentreforNewcomers

The RISE awards are the signature event for Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers. Through them we recognize the invaluable support of employers and individuals who show leadership, responsibility and a commitment to the community.

The2012RISEAwardswereheldonWednesday,May30thattheWestinHotel.TheEmployerAwardsceremonywasanenjoyableeventthatfocusedonthededicationandpassionoftherecipients.

StrategicLeadershipAward:EnbridgePipelines.Thisawardrecognizesanemployerwhodemonstratesstrategicleadershipthroughthedevelopmentandimplementationofaninitiativethatbreaksdownemploymentbarriersforemployees.

IndividualAchievementAward:MarthaVega-Smith(EnbridgePipelines).MsVega-Smithisrecognizedforleadershipandinnovationinintegratinginternationallytrainedprofessionals.

SmallBusinessExcellence:UpsideSoftware.Thiscompanyhasimplementedprogramsandpracticesthataddressoneofthefollowing:attraction,retention,integrationordevelopmentofinternationallytrainedprofessionals.

ERIECMentoring:OMNITelevision.Thisawardacknowledgesanemployerforoutstandingcontributionsinsupportingandpromotingcareerdevelopmentofthroughmentorshipinanorganizationorinthe community.

OutstandingWorkplaceAward:CanadaSafeway.Thisawardrecognizesanemployerthathasestablishedculturaldiversity,practicesandinitiativesthatfacilitatesuccessintheworkplace.

Learning the Language Learning the Land

ThisyearEMCNsponsoredfiveweekendcampingtripsforimmigrantfamilies:threetripstoMiquelonLake,twotripstoDinosaurProvincialParkandoneweekendexcursiontoJasperNationalPark.InJasper,newcomershadthechancetohike,cycle,gorockclimbing,participateincampfiregamesledbyvolunteersfromScoutsCanada and share their food with others aroundacollectivecampkitchen.

TheGlobalVoicesChoirvisitedDinosaurProvincialParkwheretheyperformedataspecialCitizenshipCeremony.Theweatheralldaywasspectacularandthepeople-allfirsttimecampers-werefilledwithexcitement.Aftereveryonewassnuggleddowninthetents,however,arainstormblewinunexpectedly.Severaltentswereflattenedbytheheavywind,pegsbegantodislodge,andthethunderandlightningaddedfulldramatotheevent.Thefirsttimecamperswerefrightenedasstaffranfromtenttotenttosecuretentsandreassurecampers.Inthemorningthesunwaswarmandbrilliant.Thecampersemergedfromtheirtentsburstingwithprideandeagertorecounttheirstories.Theynowfelttruly“Canadian”.InvaryingdegreesofEnglish,thecamperstalkedaboutthisastheirfirsttimetodisplaytheirownpersonalcouragesincecomingtoCanada,andtheyfeltarenewedconfidenceinthemselves.

Thisprogramisuniqueinitsmergingofeducationalobjectivesinlanguagelearningandenvironmentalliteracywithanintegrationexperienceinaparkssettingandthushasreceivedpublicinterest.AteamofresearchersfromMacEwanUniversityandStFrancisXavierUniversityreleasedafullresearchreportandhaspublishedseveralacademicpapersabouttheproject;andacrewfromOMNItelevisionhasjustreleasedafull-lengthdocumentaryaboutthecampingtripscalledNature’sInvitation.

Global Voices ChoirGlobalVoicesChoircontinuestosingthemessageofEMCNvaluesthroughoutthecityandprovince.Comprisedofover40people,thisgroupofCanadiansandnewcomers,youngandold,employeesofEMCNandpeopleusingsingingasawaytolearnEnglish,performsmonthlyatavarietyofpublicevents.ThisyeartheyperformedatCityHall,atWorldRefugeeDay,atfundraisersandcommunityeventsandforaspecialCitizenshipCeremonyheldatDinosaurProvincialPark.TheChoirwasalsonominatedfortheYMCAPeaceAward.

Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.

Author Unknown

Theyear2011-2012saw335wonderfulvolunteersperform

9,578hoursofvaluableworkforTheEdmontonMennoniteCentreforNewcomers. AsinterimCoordinatorofVolunteerServices,Ihadtheprivilegeofmeetingmanyveryinterestingandtalentedpeople.Also,throughtheirvolunteerplacements,Ilearnedmuchmoreaboutthescoresofservicesofferedbyouragency.ThemoreIlearn,themoreIamawedbythededicationandvisionofallthestaffandvolunteerswhoareinvolvedwiththisagency.

EachyeartherearemanypeoplewhocomethroughEMCNlookingforvolunteerwork.Theywanttogiveback,ortheywanttogainexperienceordevelopskills.Someadmiretheworkdonehereandwanttobeapartofit.Somearewithusforjustafewmonthsbuttheircontributionsareinvaluable.Othersarewithusforyears,addingconsistencytoprogramsaswellastheirownpersonalities,passion,talentanddedication.

Inrecognitionofallourvolunteers,thispastMarchweunveiledalargepermanentmural;treesagainstabluebackgroundwith“brass”engravedleaves.Allstaffwhoworkwithvolunteersintheirprogramswereaskedtosubmitadjectivesthatdescribedthevolunteersintermsofpersonalqualitiesortheworktheydo.Wehadthesewordsengravedontheleavesthenplacedthemthroughoutthebranchesofthemural.

Thenextphaseofthisprojectistoaddthenamesoflongtermvolunteers.Tobegin,wehaveaddedthenameofoneparticularvolunteer,PatZimmer,inrecognitionoftheoutstandingdedicationshehasshowntotheEdmontonMennoniteCentreforNewcomers.Pathasworkedwithussincethe1980s,longerthanmostofthestaff!

Inthemonthsaheadwewilladdmorenamestothemuralandinthissenseitisanongoingproject.Ifyouhaven’tseenit,itcanbefoundonthemainflooratourheadquartersbuilding.

Abdolrazaghi,AzadehAbdullah,RadhdaAbdullah,TahaAbel,EliseAbla,EsenamAdria,KathyAfele,GuenetAfzal,FarahAhmed,FaizaAlemi,BekeleAlemseged,MaskalamAli,HibaAlmaouad,GhadahAlsherbiny,RobaAlwedo,JoanAmaratunge,MalshaAmirult,WilmaAshraf,ZozanAssefa,ZelalemAtique,HumnaAttar-Hannan,WidadAu,AprilAu,VeronicaBaergen,IreneBaergen,JoyceBaergen,DonBanks,PatBargen,NeilBartelNickel,LynneaBauer,BonnieBekono,AdelaideBentley,DonnaBentley,NoelBerih,ZufanBestman,MirandaBhavsar,KarunaBobol,MargaretBosson,AtandePaulinBoyd,Alicia

Bradley,KarenBrodacki,JenniferBrown,EricaBrunn,MargotCadrin,NicoleCampbell-Pearse,ShirleyCart,KathyCastro,DanrieCerna,ArielaChacon,DanielChambers,DesireeChammout,JomanaChau,WendyChernik,AliciaChute,DennisClarke,ShannonCollins,MeganConnell,CindyCouch,JoannaCrowell,VickiCruz,TeodeletteCvijic,JelisavaDavies,ChristineDawson,BonnieDeBoeck,NyckideSantos,MeryDean,DoreenDehlehhosseinzadeh,HamidDemeter,KelseyDennis,SheenaDerian,JalalDixon,KimberlynDonald,TarynDu,MaryDu,SophieDuranLopez,MagdalenaDyck,CarolEdiger,Alyse

Eggert,DanielElassal,SuleimaElena,MariaEl-Kalany,WadihEnns,RickEntz,DonnaEntz,LorenErickson,DavidEsau,ShaunEspiritu,AnitaEwenson,LindaFacette,MichelleFan,DianFarah,DeqaFeser,TiffanyFikremarim,GeoregiorgisFish,JimFraser,HelenGallo,AdrianaGao,MiaoGarcia,DinorahGarcia,MarinaGarcia,RogerGarpan,PeterMaliahGebraselasie,LemienGebremedhin,KibromGill,JaspreetGordon,AndreaGowreesunker,PraveerGross,NaomiGrover,ShikhaGuillaume,AugustHabiballa,ShamaHagos,FreweianKidaneHallam,BillHamamoto,SakiHanson,KarieHaq,RiazulHarcus,Jeanette

EMCN VOLUNTEERSTHANK YOU2011-2012

EMCN VOLUNTEERSHassan,AmalHassan,OmarHeine,DorothyHenderson,KaileyHenderson,LeslieHermila,Rodas&RawelHernandez,JoseBarredaHicks,MaryHo,WilmaHoyt,MichaelHuizinga,MelleHurlburt,NoraIki,AyanaInglis,PeterIppolito,BobJagiello-Cathcart,MariaJanzen,SueJeanotte,AmyJess,AllenJin,YuChaoJobal,NasrinJohnson,ElsieJohnston,MargaretKamal,AnitaKarbani,YusufKargbo,DorcasKarmali,SofiaKaushal,SantoshKawKu,SharKeji,ChristineKendal,ElaineJeanKey,ScottKhader,RukhsanaKhoja,AminaKhoja,Laila

Kihuyu,MainaKings’UniversityGroupKirbyson,CeliaKlettke,MeghanKopecky,JaniceKoyama,TatsuyaKrill,JustinKuai,SulanKyakuwa,MargaretLacoursiere,KristinLadd,BrianLakew,AlemetsehayLama,DeepakLane,CarlieLaurie,DaveLaurie,DavidLaurie,JanetLaurie,JoanLaurie,KatharineLee,JeongHeeLewis,RusselLila,NaslanLink,KarenLiu,HeLogan,AugustusLopez,DignaLopez,MagdalenaLu,CathyLu,DahaiLu,TiantianLu,WendyLu,YujieLynch,RuthLyone,JayneMacaraig,Julita

Machtoub,JanetMaelwas,RollyBryanMagana,JesusMago,MetchelGedayaMagok,YaiMahon,AshleyManginsay,GlynisMann,ElaineMari,LauraMauthe,MariaMazumder,SultanaMcCoy,DanielleMcDonald,KelseyMcIntosh,JoAnnMcKeen,ScottMcLung,PennyMehari,ZuftanMelhem,LayalMendoza,PeterMengsteab,TeberhMiller,BobMiranda,LuzMariaMirza,SoheraSaharMirza,TariqMirza,ZareenMohammed,IvieMohammed,MalakMurekatete,EsperanceMurphy,KaraNayanika,KumarNepal,PrekshyaNieuwenhuis,GregNikakhtari,ZaraNisa,AshrafUnNorrbom,Stacy

We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our

youth for the future. Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Nshimirimana,ClaudetteNunes,NicoleNyanzaza,BeathieOanh,PhanO’Brien,AllenOliver-McBride,MartyOngkiko,PilitaOrobio,JimmyOrr,ChantelOsman,SaidOzarko,GalynaPanchal,SamirParram,DonathPaudel,KrishnaShramaPelletier,JanetPetrosky,JillianPetrov,DanielaPich,AnthonyPoon,VioletPower,PaulineProvencal,WayneQingping,CindyQuapp,MaryRadyo,AnnaRaghe,WardaRahman,TamalikaRaulin,LaurelRemesovscaia,AnaRemple,JudithRemple,LeeRennie,TrinaReynolds,JaniceRos,NaryrathRoulson,ChrisSabour,ArezooSaid,Janate

Sakriye,MohamedSalinas,DilmaSandoval,MariaJocelynSawyer,LynnSchmuhl,ChissaScott,AubreyScott,JacquelineScott,LowellSekhon,SurpreetSerrano,JunShaposhnikov,IritShaposhnikov,MicheallaSharma,JyotiShawa,AgnesSherk,MartaSifuentes,ZoilaSitu,SamuelSlobod,CharitySoares,FatimaSommers,JaneSong,BentonSt.Arnault,DavidStork,JeremyStrauss,ChrisStrong,SharonSultana,IrfanSumar,ShazinSutton,HarrySyeda,ParveenTaira,NorikoTam,AlbertTaniguchi,RonTegenge,GenetTerada,TaichiTesfamariam,DawnTesfamarian,Salome

Thiessen,MeaganThursby,DorothyToews,GuentherToews,RuthToro,EdwinTrinityManorTenantsUkubalidet,YosiefUniversityofAlbertaInternationalVelasquezdeSoto,CarmenVervoorst,SylviaVieira,RenataFragaBarbosaVisser,LouiseVriend,NormaWagenvoort,JessicaWall,KarleenWang,BobbyWang,KunWay,RobertWeghata,SalomeWestonBenjaminWevik,HelenWiens,MatWilliams,SarahWilson,RodWintonyk,LeahWong,NettieWoodward,AmandaYan,JunYaqub,SofiaYesufu,RafiatYussuf,HodanZacharias,LillianZahir,NasimZheng,JudyZielsdorf,MargaretZip,Erin

The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others. Mohandas Gandhi

EMCN is blessed by the many rich partnerships that have evolved over the years as we collaborate to combine talents and expertise to deliver programs and services for newcomers. Below are the projects that have benefited from collaborative partnering:

Program/Project/Event Partner(s)/ Sponsor(s)RISE

(Recognizing Immigrant Success in Edmonton)

Edmonton Regional Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC); Norquest ; NAIT, Worley-Parsons Co-syn; McElhanney; CTV, OMNI

Language Services City of Edmonton, First Baptist Church, Aga Khan Foundation, LINC Projects Office

Learning the Language Learning the Land: Camp-ing for Newcomers

Parks Alberta, Jasper National Park, Elk Island National Park, Brewster Bus lines, Mountain Equip-ment Co-op, Scouts Canada, City of Edmonton Parks, OMNI

After-school and summer programming for children and youth

REACH Edmonton – Schools as Hubs, Family Centre; Action for Healthy Communities, YMCA, Edmonton Public Library, Islamic Family Social Ser-vices Association, City of Edmonton

REACH Immigrant and Refugee Initiative Multi-cultural Health Brokers Coop; Changing To-gether, Catholic Social Services

Community Development Partnership: Working Group

Alberta Culture, Action for Healthy Communities; Multi-cultural Coalition, City of Edmonton

Entrepreneurship Training Wildman Institute, Business Link- Immigrant Entre-preneurs Mentorship Program

Community Kitchen First Baptist Church, Alberta Health ServicesEmployment Bridging Programs NAIT , The Association of Science and Engineering

Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET), Certi-fied General Accountants (CGA), Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC), McElhan-ney, Certified Management Accountants of Alberta, Chartered Accountants of Alberta, Worley-Parsons, KPMG, Deloitte, Landmark Group, Judy Saylor, Co-Syn, PCL, Flint Energy, Enbridge, Sherrit, Rotaflow Controls, Engineers Without Borders

Temporary Foreign Worker program Catholic Social Services, Temporary Foreign Worker Advisory Office, ActAlberta, Edmonton Community Legal Centre, Multicultural Health Brokers, Edmon-ton Immigrant Services Association (EISA)

Welcome Centre for Immigrants (WCI) Catholic Social Services, Indo-Canadian Women’s Association, Edmonton Community Foundation, City of Edmonton

Housing Works Capital Region Housing CorporationPracticum work experience MacEwan Nursing , Child and Youth, Social Work

Programs; Norquest Social Work Program; Univer-sity of Calgary Social Work program

World of Story Multi-cultural Health Brokers Coop, ASSIST Com-munity Services

Health & Wellbeing Services Partners Multicultural Health Brokers Coop, Edmonton Cath-olic School Board (St. Elizabeth School), REACH Edmonton, Government of Alberta: Child & Family Services (now part of Human Services), Addiction & Mental Health, Edmonton Public School Board, City of Edmonton, Catholic Social Services, Changing Together, Oromo Community, The Good Food Box

Collaborations and Partnerships

Organization DonorsTheRiverCommunityChurchEarth’sGeneralStoreDeloitteandToucheUniversityofAlbertaInternationalHousePaulKaneHighSchoolTELUSCorporationMcElhanneyLandSurveysLtd.CapitalPowerCorporationAL-TERRAEngineeringLtd.Union52BenevolentSocietyShoresJardineLLPBarristers&SolicitorsLimakInvestmentsWestendChristianReformedChurchDeaconateWalmartCanadaCorporationCanadaHelpsUW-BarbaraLeahQueenElizabethHighSchoolFellowshipChristianReformedChurchDiscountCarandTruckRentalsCombinedInsuranceCompanyHollyTurnerCityofEdmontonBeatriceStevensMemorialFoundationInc.BuchananEastwoodUnitedChurchHolyroodMennoniteChurchTheDianneandIrvingKipnesFoundationFirstMennoniteChurchNorquestCollegeLendrumMennoniteBrethrenChurchRoyalAlexandraHospitalEmployeeCharitableDonationsFundHabitatforHumanityCombinedInsuranceCompanyofAmericaDonateaCarCanada

Individual DonorsC.RoderickWilsonYonathanNegussieAnjaliAgarwalRitaJagerElizabethMcCrumAliMahdiLyndonandSandraWilliams-EppOttoandLorraineBraunLanaGutwinValerieDennisLaurieHauerMaryKuschkePaulandHelenWhiteJimHoangKarlLumnitzerSaulZalikTimothyandJaniceHaakRichardPaulEppRudyandTenaWiebeMarkHeuleKololaAugouL.GaumontMaryTrumpenerLornaSutherlandBruceandJanetAndersonRudyandHeidiKornelsonNeilBargenPaulPrechtHaroldWiensRobertandFrancesLoewenAnnetteBalkwillHarryandJeanBauerGaryFriesenMichelBelangerA.HelenaVothMathewandKimberlyWiensIsaacGlickSuzanneGrossDanielEggertEdmondHamreTineSteen-DekkerJacobGandIreneBaergenJeromeHagenimanaDavidandJeanLefeverAna NunezSheronPickardAndrewandMariaCathcartAngieLabergeStephenandLynnMandel

Life is never so busy that there is no time to serve. Author Unknown

SaidOsmanEdithMcKeenDuncanMcKeenMaryKutschkeRobertandGretchenBrundinMoniqueNutterDouglasJ.RocheWayneProvencalMatthewandKimberlyWiensDonaldandShirleyCampbell-PearseDoloresHuizingaJohnandEleanoreRempel-WoollardLillianZacaariasMorleyandValBlanchJamesandGwenethMabbottD.H.orMaryE.QuappTimandEmilyVanderwekkenHenryandJadwigaKalkeCarolAllenMichaelTilleardRonaldA.andHertaM.ThiessenJeffandJessicaKlassen-FriesenJacobD.andHellaHarderPrakashA.PatelTimothyHartnagelWaldemarFriesenHenryGroenendykAdolfandEileenLoefflerTzgeredaTesfaslaslie

JudySillitoLorneBuhrSimonYuThomasandNancyVanDrielDeannaMendozaErickAmbtmanRonaldandLavonHolgateErichandLaurelRaulinBandalayDeen-KamaraDonBaergenChouaibEl-BouhaliMuhammadShahidTracyApollHarveyKrahnSofiaKarmaliHenryJanzenWilliamHallamPeterMacaskillJudyRempelSheilaHolzerCharlesNeillAlanHodgsonAnnaSmallwoodDianeKlassen-FriesenShirleyStinsonMarianWilliamsMarioandGlynisManginsay

TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER SUPPORT SERVICES 2011-2012EdmontonMennoniteCentreforNewcomersTemporaryForeignWorkerSupportServicesProgramprovidedarangeofservicestoatotal

of 1351 workersduringthepastyear.Theseincludedoutreach,groupinformationsessions,permanentresidenceworkshops,referralsandbasicsupportsincludingfood,emergencyshelterandawiderangeofotheressentialservices.ThemajorityoftheworkerswerefromMexicoandthePhilippines.

EMCNhasbeenhostinginter-agencymeetingswithagenciesliketheEdmontonCommunityLegalCentre,EdmontonImmigrantServicesAssociation,MulticulturalHealthBrokersandActAlbertaandparticipatinginmonthlymeetingswiththeTemporaryForeignWorkersAdvisoryOfficetonetworkwithotherfrontlineworkersandserviceproviderstoaddresscriticalissuesandtrends.Wehavehadanincredibleyearintermsofdoingcollaborativeworktocasemanagedifficultfilesandbuildworkingrelationshipswithemployersandothercommunitystakeholders.

Manyofthechallengesandproblemsthatariseforforeignworkersareofanimmigrationandlegalnature.WehavenoticedthattherehasbeenanincreasingneedforaffordableandaccessiblelegalservicesinEdmontonandwehavedevelopedastrongpartnershipwithEdmontonCommunityLegalCentretocoordinatereferralsforthosewhocannototherwiseaccessaffordablelegalservices.Clientsareextremelygratefulfortheservicesthatareprovidedthrougheveningandweekendclinics,andeducationalworkshops.

TheProgram’sSettlementPractitionersareproudtohaveassistedseveralindividualswhosesuccessesincludedwagesrecoveredfromemployersbyEmploymentStandards,emergencyassistancetobridgeworkersthroughdifficulttimes,informedguidanceforworkpermitapplicationsandpathstopermanentresidence.

Asaprogramandanagency,wecontinuallystrivetoincreaseourcapacity,knowledgeandavenuesforopencommunicationwithotherstofindsolutionsinareasofextremesensitivity.Toencourageasenseofcommunityandshowoursupportofappreciationforworkersandtheirfamilies,theProgramhostedaChristmasparty.TheFirstBaptistChurchprovidedthevenue,andHelpingHandsofHopeprovidedthefunding,thecooksandvolunteerstocatertheevent.Over200peopleparticipatedinthefestivities.Intheupcomingyear,weareexploringsomenewandinnovativeapproachestoprovidingservices.

Charity sees the need, not the cause.German Proverb

Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN)11713-82Street,EdmontonABT5B2V9Phone:780-424-7709Fax:780-424-7736

EMCN Career and Employment Services8914-118Avenue,EdmontonABT5B0T6Phone:780-421-7400Fax:780-428-4252

EMCN at the Welcome Centre for Immigrants#335,TowerII,MilbourneMarketMall(38AvenueandMillwoodsRoad),EdmontonABT5K3L6

Phone:780-462-6924Fax:780-466-6594

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS FUNDERS

Our prayers for others flow more easily than those for ourselves. This shows we are made to live by charity.

C.S.Lewis