• Find peaceful solutions to violence, conflict, discrimination and injustice
• Make a difference by working quietly without any special recognition (financial, status or otherwise) to create a culture of peace
• Volunteer their time and work without any special resources (financial, status or otherwise) to create a culture of peace
• Enhance the lives of people in their community and around the world by creating peaceful environments

This award is intended to acknowledge time and effort contributed on a voluntary basis. Services performed during the normal course of professional or business duties are not eligible for recognition. Self-nominations or YMCA staff will not be considered.

PS: Final draft of Submissions are due by Friday, October 10, 2008. Details on the 2008 Awards can be found at http://www.ymcatoronto.org/en/who-we-are/our-organization/international/news-events/peace_week_08.html

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Savez-vous quelqu'un qui devrait être reconnu pour leur stand extraordinaire pour la paix ?
Automatically translated into French thanks to WorldLingo

• 
  
  Trouvez les solutions paisibles à la violence, au conflit, à la discrimination et à l'injustice
  
  


• 
  
  Faites une différence en travaillant tranquillement sans n'importe quelle identification spéciale (financière, statut ou autrement) pour créer une culture de paix
  
  


• 
  
  N'offrez leur heure et travail sans aucune ressource spéciale (financière, statut ou autrement) de créer une culture de paix
  
  


• 
  
  Augmentez les vies des personnes dans leur communauté et autour du monde en créant les environnements paisibles
  
  

Picoseconde : Le projet définitif des soumissions sont dû pour le vendredi 10 octobre 2008. Des détails sur les 2008 récompenses peuvent être trouvés à http://www.ymcatoronto.org/en/who-we-are/our-organization/international/news-events/peace_week_08.html

¿Usted sabe a alguien que debe ser reconocida para su soporte extraordinario para la paz?
Automatically translated into Spanish thanks to WorldLingo

• 
  
  Encuentre las soluciones pacíficas a la violencia, al conflicto, a la discriminación y a la injusticia
  
  


• 
  
  Diferencie trabajando reservado sin ningún reconocimiento especial (financiero, estado o de otra manera) para crear una cultura de la paz
  
  


• 
  
  Ofrezca voluntariamente su hora y trabajo sin ningunos recursos especiales (financieros, estado o de otra manera) de crear una cultura de la paz
  
  


• 
  
  Realce las vidas de la gente en su comunidad y alrededor del mundo creando ambientes pacíficos
  
  

Picosegundo: El bosquejo final de sumisiones es debido antes del viernes 10 de octubre de 2008. Los detalles en las 2008 concesiones se pueden encontrar en http://www.ymcatoronto.org/en/who-we-are/our-organization/international/news-events/peace_week_08.html

Conoscete qualcuno che dovrebbe essere riconosciuto per il loro basamento straordinario per pace?
Automatically translated into Italian thanks to WorldLingo

• 
  
  Trovi le soluzioni pacifiche alla violenza, al conflitto, alla distinzione ed al injustice
  
  


• 
  
  Faccia una differenza funzionando tranquillamente senza alcun riconoscimento speciale (finanziario, condizione o al contrario) per generare una coltura di pace
  
  


• 
  
  Offra volontariamente il loro tempo e lavoro senza alcune risorse speciali (finanziarie, condizione o al contrario) di generare una coltura di pace
  
  


• 
  
  Aumenti le vite della gente nella loro Comunità ed intorno al mondo generando gli ambienti pacifici
  
  

PS: La brutta copia definitiva delle presentazioni è entro venerdì il 10 ottobre 2008 dovuta. I particolari sui 2008 premi possono essere trovati a http://www.ymcatoronto.org/en/who-we-are/our-organization/international/news-events/peace_week_08.html

Wissen Sie jemand, das für ihren außerordentlichen Standplatz für Frieden bestätigt werden sollte?
Automatically translated into German thanks to WorldLingo

• 
  
  Finden Sie ruhige Lösungen zur Gewalttätigkeit, zum Konflikt, zur Unterscheidung und zum Unrecht
  
  


• 
  
  Unterscheiden Sie, indem Sie ruhig ohne irgendeine spezielle Anerkennung (finanziell, Status oder anders) zum einer Kultur des Friedens zu verursachen arbeiten
  
  


• 
  
  Erbieten Sie ihre Zeit und Arbeit ohne irgendwelche speziellen Betriebsmittel (finanziell, Status oder anders) eine Kultur des Friedens zu verursachen freiwillig
  
  


• 
  
  Erhöhen Sie die Leben der Leute in ihrer Gemeinschaft und um die Welt, indem Sie ruhige Klimas verursachen
  
  

PS: Abschließender Entwurf von Unterordnungen sind für Freitag, den 10. Oktober 2008 passend. Details über die 2008 Preise können an gefunden werden http://www.ymcatoronto.org/en/who-we-are/our-organization/international/news-events/peace_week_08.html

Você sabe alguém que deve ser reconhecido para seu carrinho extraordinário para a paz?
Automatically translated into Portuguese thanks to WorldLingo

• 
  
  Encontre soluções calmas à violência, ao conflito, à discriminação e ao injustice
  
  


• 
  
  Faça uma diferença trabalhando quietamente sem nenhum recognition especial (financeiro, status ou de outra maneira) para criar uma cultura da paz
  
  


• 
  
  Ofereça seus hora e trabalho sem nenhuns recursos especiais (financeiros, status ou de outra maneira) de criar uma cultura da paz
  
  


• 
  
  Realce as vidas dos povos em sua comunidade e em torno do mundo criando ambientes calmos
  
  

Picosegundo: O esboço final das submissões é devido por sexta-feira, outubro 10, 2008. Os detalhes nas 2008 concessões podem ser encontrados em http://www.ymcatoronto.org/en/who-we-are/our-organization/international/news-events/peace_week_08.html

Vet du någon som bör bekräftas för deras utöver det vanliga stativ för fred?
Automatically translated into Swedish thanks to WorldLingo

• 
  
  Finna fridsamma lösningar till våld, konflikten, diskriminering och orättvisa
  
  


• 
  
  Gör en skillnad vid arbetet tyst utan någon finansiell, status special erkännande (eller annars) för att skapa en kultur av fred
  
  


• 
  
  Ställa upp som frivillig deras tid och arbete utan några finansiella, status speciala resurser (eller annars) att skapa en kultur av fred
  
  


• 
  
  Förhöj liven av folk i deras gemenskap och runt om världen, genom att skapa fridsamma miljöer
  
  

PS: Finalen formulerar av Submissions äger rum rakt vid Fredag, Oktober 10, 2008. Specificerar på de 2008 utmärkelsearna kan finnas på http://www.ymcatoronto.org/en/who-we-are/our-organization/international/news-events/peace_week_08.html

Вы знаете кто-то должно быть подтвержено для их внесметной стойки для мира?
Automatically translated into Russian thanks to WorldLingo

• 
  
  Найдите мирные решения к расправе, конфликту, различению и несправедливости
  
  


• 
  
  Внесите изменения путем работа тихая без любого специального опознавания (финансовохозяйственного, состояния или в противном случае) для того чтобы создать культуру мира
  
  


• 
  
  Волонтирите их время и работа без VSех специальных ресурсов (финансовохозяйственных, состояний или в противном случае) создать культуру мира
  
  


• 
  
  Увеличьте жизни людей в их общине и вокруг мира путем создавать мирные окружающие среды
  
  

Пикосекунда: Окончательный проект представлений должн к суббота 10-ому октябрь 2008. Детали на 2008 пожалованиях можно найти на http://www.ymcatoronto.org/en/who-we-are/our-organization/international/news-events/peace_week_08.html

Kent u iemand wie voor hun buitengewone tribune voor vrede zou moeten worden erkend?
Automatically translated into Dutch thanks to WorldLingo

• 
  
  Vind vreedzame oplossingen aan geweld, conflict, onderscheid en onrechtvaardigheid
  
  


• 
  
  Maak een verschil door zonder enige speciale financiële erkenning (, status of anders) stil te werken om een cultuur van vrede tot stand te brengen
  
  


• 
  
  Meld me hun tijd en werk zonder enige speciale financiële middelen (, status of anders) aan om een cultuur van vrede tot stand te brengen
  
  


• 
  
  Verbeter het leven van mensen in hun gemeenschap en rond de wereld door vreedzame milieu's te creëren
  
  

PS: Het definitieve ontwerp van Voorlegging is gepast door Vrijdag, 10 Oktober, 2008. De details op de Toekenning van 2008 kunnen worden gevonden bij http://www.ymcatoronto.org/en/who-we-are/our-organization/international/news-events/peace_week_08.html

أنت تعرف أحد ما الذي سوفت كنت اعترفت لحامل قفصهم خارق للعادة لسلام?
Automatically translated into Arabic thanks to WorldLingo

أنت تعرف أحد ما الذي سوفت كنت اعترفت لحامل قفصهم خارق للعادة لسلام?

[إفري تيم] يأخذ أحد ما عمل لسلام, الناس ربطت; إلى بنفسي و [تو ش وثر]. في كلّ جماعة هناك الناس الذي يجعل فرق والذي يحاول بشدّة أن يحضر سلام وإزدهار إلى العالم هم يعيش داخل, غالبا بوجه عظيمة نزاع وظلم. ال [يمك] سلام ميدالية طريقك أن يميّز وب احتفل أعضاء من جماعتك الذي يلهمنا أن يتلاقىهم في يخلق أكثر عالم سلميّة.

أنا احتجت مساعدتك أن يلد تعيين (أو اثنان) في الأيام قادمة. ربّما يعرف أنت أحد ما الذي ينعت ل هذا مكافأة معتبرة.

إن هكذا بعد ذلك يترك ثرثرة. أنا يتوفّر أن يساعد مع خضوع!

يرى مثل من سنون متأخّرة 2007 [يمك] سلام ميدالية مستلمات

http://www.ymcatoronto.org/en/whats-happening/2007medallion-recipients.html.

نحن نّفذ أنّ الذي يكون يعمل بما أنّ متطوعات أن يحبك حلول سلميّة إلى عنف, فقر, ظلم وتمييز. نحن [أنس غين] نميّز التعهد خارق للعادة أنّ جماعة صانع سلام يتلقّون على العالم. من كلّ مشية الحياة, من كلّ ثقافات ومواريث, وحّدت صانع سلام برغبتهم أن يخلق ثقافة السلام.

معايير

نحن نبحث فردات الذي:

• 
  
  وجدت حلول سلميّة إلى عنف, نزاع, تمييز وظلم
  
  


• 
  
  جعلت فرق ب يعمل بهدوء دون أيّ تمييز خاصّة (ماليّة, وضع أو خلاف ذلك) أن يخلق ثقافة السلام
  
  


• 
  
  تطوّعت هم وقت وعمل دون أيّ موردات خاصّة (ماليّة, وضع أو خلاف ذلك) أن يخلق ثقافة السلام
  
  


• 
  
  حسنت الحيوات الالناس في جماعتهم وحول العالم ب يخلق بيئات سلميّة
  
  

نويت هذا مكافأة أن يعترف وقت وجهد يسهم على أساس إراديّة. ليس خدمات ينجز أثناء المسلك عاديّة من محترفة أو عمل واجب رسم جديرة لتمييز. سيعتبر [سلف-نومينأيشنس] أو [يمك] ملاكة لن يكون.

تعيين عملية

بشكل خاصّ يأخذ هو [ا فو] أسابيع إلى طبل فوق تعيينات ويحصلهم يتأهّب لأكتوبر - تشرين الأوّل [10ث] ميعاد أخير. هذا أسبوع يدعو أنا [فولكس] ضمن شبكتي يسأل لمساندتهم في يلد تعيينات لخضوع.

اتّصال: [دن] [تربنير], [يمك] من تورونتو عظيمة, 42 شارلز شارع شرقيّة, تورونتو, على [م4ي] [1ت4], [ت] 416.928.3362 [إإكست.2002], [ف] 416.928.3552

بريد إلكترونيّ [دن.تربنيرمكغت.ورغ]

[بس]: مسوّدة نهائيّة خضوع واجبة بيوم الجمعة, أكتوبر - تشرين الأوّل 10, 2008. تفاصيل على ال 2008 مكافآت يستطيع كنت أسّست في http://www.ymcatoronto.org/en/who-we-are/our-organization/international/news-events/peace_week_08.html

تعيين أشكال في http://www.ymcatoronto.org/en/files/PDF/final_form_peace_week_08.pdf

إنتقاء عملية

اصطلحت اللجنة من [كمّونيتي ممبر] و [يمك] ملاكة يختار أن يمثّل تشكيل من فوائد, خبرات وأعمار. مستلمات أنفذت مع الميدالية في خاصّة سلام مراسم في نوفمبر - تشرين الثّاني أثناء [يمك] عالم سلام أسبوع في [يمكس] عبر ال [غتا].

The YMCA Peace Medallion Award recognizes individuals who have shown a commitment to peace through personal contributions made within their community. Peace Medallions are awarded in communities across the GTA during YMCA World Peace Week: November 18-25, 2006.

We honour individuals who are peacemakers, working in a volunteer capacity towards peaceful solutions to violence, conflict, discrimination and injustice; who have had a significant impact on the lives of others in their community, but without any special recognition or special resources.

Past recipients come from all walks of life yet they are united in their active commitment to creating a culture of peace.

You are invited to the
YMCA 2006 Peace Medallion
Awards Presentation
Honouring Peacemakers in our Community

Thursday, November 23, 7:30 a.m.
YMCA Charles Street Auditorium
42 Charles St. E. (Yonge and Bloor), Toronto. Canada

RSVP: Veronica Hercules (416) 413-1020 ext 4204
please be sure to indicate ceremony location when responding.

REV. DR. BRENT HAWKES AWARDED THE YMCA 2006 Peace Medallion Award.
Translated into French by: Dan Trepanier

A top Eritrean AIDS activist is among some 150 delegates of last month's international AIDS conference in Toronto who stayed behind and filed refugee claims in a bid to remain in Canada, immigration officials confirm.

Amanuel Tesfamichael, 32, had to sprint to a waiting car at Pearson airport to escape Eritrean agents as he arrived for the AIDS 2006 conference.

Most of the claimants have the deadly disease and include a large group of women from hardest-hit South Africa and citizens of El Salvador, Eritrea, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

"It feels good to be free," said Tesfamichael, who has the disease. "I like Canada and the people here."

The activist, who is founder of Eritrea's 6,000-member association for people living with AIDS, was allowed to travel to Canada on the condition he surrender his passport to two government minders, who were also delegates.

Tesfamichael said he was given his passport for processing on landing at Pearson and managed to bolt to a pre-determined meeting with men who spirited him to a waiting car.

"I was only allowed to leave my homeland for 10 days," he said. "The government didn't want me to leave the country."
Many of the claimants are staying at Toronto hostels awaiting hearing dates before an immigration board, officials said.

24,000 PARTICIPANTS
Canadian immigration spokesman Karen Shadd-Evelyn confirmed yesterday that up to 150 claims were received from the 24,000 participants at the Aug. 13-18 conference.
"We can't talk about specific claims," Shadd-Evelyn said. "We cannot release their country of origins or other information."

Francisco Rico-Martinez, of the FCJ Refugee Centre in Toronto, said three of the claimants -- Tesfamichael, a man from El Salvador and a woman from Zimbabwe -- were referred to his "gender-friendly" hostel.

"Both of the men have AIDS," Rico-Martinez said yesterday. "They face persecution and discrimination at home."

He said Tesfamichael faces persecution or jail if he returns to Eritrea for violating the 10-day permit.
Rico-Martinez said the claimants are treated in their native countries as outcasts, or have little or no medicine. He said some are discriminated against by doctors, who don't want to treat them.

Joan Anderson, a senior adviser of AIDS 2006, said 14,000 of the delegates were from outside North America.
Melissa Anderson, of the Immigration and Refugee Board, said it'll take about a year before the claimants find out if they're accepted in Canada. About 48% of all claimants are accepted in Canada as refugees.

Article Quote: It "It feels good to be free" and in Canada, says activist Amanuel Tesfamichael, who bolted from his Eritrean government handlers at Pearson airport after arriving for last month's international AIDS conference. (Alex Urosevic/Sun)

Article Written By TOM GODFREY, TORONTO SUN Fri, September 1, 2006

Link to original article http://www.torontosun.com/News/TorontoAndGTA/2006/09/01/1792238-sun.html

July 12th, 2007 news of the bomb blast in Mumbai reminds us all that our world is not safe and peaceful for many.

It also reminds us that our world is becoming smaller and more interconnected.

Living in Toronto, Canada is indeed a privilege and a responsibility.

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has 100,000’s of residents who at one time called Mumbai their home and is still home to their family and friends. I am certain that many people are anxious for news of their loved ones and their well-being. Our thoughts and wishes for peace are with them today.

Events like this bring awareness to global issues and insecurities but also raise tensions and conflict. Events like these are a reminder to us all that the work of the YMCA of Greater Toronto is as a “peace builder” among individuals, groups, communities and globally. It is important work.

I am proud to say that a number of YMCA representatives from across Canada are participating in the YMCA World Alliance meeting in Durban, South Africa. Increasingly, our partner YMCA’s are working to alleviate and bring constructive solutions to violence, HIV/AIDS and other issues of global importance. Through YMCA international we are helping in these efforts.

Jun. 17, 2006. 01:00 AM
KEVIN LITTLE
GUEST COLUMN The Toronto Star

It can be confusing to be a father these days. What is expected of us? The stereotype says we are the source of discipline, rough housing and barbecues. It is silly, but these old assumptions remain with us. My dad offered his three boys patience, unconditional love, and presence, but there were other role models for me as well.

A close friend of mine has adopted three daughters from India. Mark lives in Springfield, Mo., where he is a regional director with Habitat for Humanity. Mark recalls taking his daughters to the local grocery store where he was confronted by an irate mother.

"You should be ashamed of yourself," she declared, without having ever met Mark before.

It was obvious that none of Mark's daughters was a biological sister to the others. This woman assumed that Mark was the kind of man who spread his seed around.

"Imagine, three different women, three different mothers. Have you no sense of decency?" she demanded.

With a deadpan only Mark could muster, he replied, "Yes, and it's much worse. All of them have different fathers as well."

Mark's family is hardly conventional, but neither are others I have come to admire. I take my daughter swimming every Saturday. While we were in the pool I saw Lucy chatting with a friend. When she dog-paddled over to me I overheard her friend tell one of his dads, "Lucy has a mommy."

In my daughter's world some of her friends have two daddies, some have two mommies, some have one parent, and some are raised by grandparents. But all are families.

In my denomination, the word "inclusive" is as overused as "giving 110 per cent" is by NHL players. Not all families are models of the kind of relationship I seek to build with my daughter. I want her to know she is loved, unconditionally, but I also want her to know this love is abundant and best expressed by loving others. That's why my partner Kimberley reminds Lucy at every turn about consideration. It's why I remind Lucy about the newcomer in her classroom, and the volunteering we Christians do to build the New Jerusalem.

On the second Sunday of January every year, I preach on baptism. On that occasion, I remind the congregation that through the rite of baptism we become a new family, a certain kind of family. Jesus himself saw this. You will recall his retort to his biological parents when they found him busy in the temple, "I am about my parent's (father's) business."

Or when told that Mary and his brothers were outside calling his name, he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers? Those that do the work of the movement are my family."

Kimberley becomes furious with the news media in Canada when they refer to our Governor General and her "adopted" daughter. It is not necessary to use the word "adopted" but I know the reason we do. The natural tug of loving our own is all-consuming. I see it everywhere. People will give their last dime to a son who has the stewardship sense of a baby boomer with a credit card in Vegas.

But that same family will begrudge money to welfare recipients and want an accounting of every last cent. Churches that can't raise money for an outreach ministry can accumulate big bucks to replace a beloved stain glass window faster than you can say "social club."

Through the sacrament of baptism we are adopted as God's own, given a new set of lenses so that we might see the world as Jesus did.

What does all of this have to do with Father's Day? In the Maritimes, people often ask, "Who's your father?" In our culture, this strong sense of being connected through your father lineage is key to your identity as a person. What if we could change that with this new set of lenses, so that our sense of family had less to do with a biological father and more to do with a commitment to be present to all of creation?

The real test of my fatherhood lies not in my affection, loyalty or generosity to Lucy but in how my love for her is equally demonstrated in the way I treat the refugee in Sudan, the woman in the halfway house in my neighbourhood, the gay men in my church who want to be married and adopt children.

When Kimberley and I were going through the adoption process, one of the red flags raised about me was the amount of time I spent volunteering in the community for my church, on local non-profits, working for food banks and advocating for the homeless.

The social worker wondered what kind of message this would send my daughter. I think in this country, where children grow up thinking "it's all about me," watching and participating with a daddy who sees the family in more places than his backyard is a good thing. In fact, I think it is a spiritual thing.

Perhaps we fathers who see the world as our family ought to start a new tradition of fatherhood. Take our barbecues out of our enclosed backyards and put them on the street in front of our houses. Invite everyone!

To all those fathers making a difference in their communities, Happy Father's Day!

Kevin Little is a United Church minister serving a Toronto congregation.

A group of Filipino would-be immigrants to Canada attend an orientation seminar to familiarize themselves with Canadian culture and weather.

Canadian organizations are hoping to capitalize on the momentum of the immigrant rights movement that has swept the U.S. in recent months to raise the profile of the plight of undocumented workers in Canada.

On May 27, rallies similar to those held in the U.S. all spring were held in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa and Fredericton to protest an apparent recent rise in illegal worker deportations. Activists also seek to press the new Conservative government to give legal recognition to the country's non-status labour force.

Since taking power in January, the Conservative government has taken a hard line on illegal immigration, stepping up efforts to deport transgressors. Immigrant rights activists say that as a result, the Canada Border Services Agency has become much stricter with its application of the law.
"Examples have been going to schools and using children as bait to get to their parents, going to malls and asking people for identification…These are tactics that we had never heard of before, but in the last three or four months we're hearing more and more that the CBSA are using these tactics to get to undocumented people and to deport people," says Sonja Nerad, Community Health Program Manager with Access Alliance.

Craig Fortier, an organizer with No One Is Illegal Toronto, calls these methods "U.S.-style enforcement" giving rise to a "climate of fear" in non-status communities where people are afraid to leave their homes to get vital medical care or are keeping their children back from school.

"The decision to remove someone from Canada is not taken lightly. The CBSA has an obligation to remove any person that has been issued a removal order… as soon as possible," says CBSA spokesperson Cara Prest.

Despite some parallels with the U.S. situation, Liberal Member of Parliament Mario Silva, Associate Critic for Canadian Heritage, thinks that in terms of magnitude, there's little comparison between the two countries. Canadian estimates for non-status workers are anywhere between one quarter to half a million people, compared to approximately 11 million in the U.S. "So it's a totally different scale," says Silva, who attended the May 27 march near his Toronto riding.

Another difference is that Canada does not have an issue of porous borders as is the case between the U.S. and Mexico. Many undocumented workers in Canada arrive legally, as visitors, temporary workers or students, and then overstay their visas.

Many of the illegal labourers in Canada are here for years, enrolling their children in schools and becoming part of mainstream society.

"Most of these people are really well integrated, they have families, they really contribute to society. So Canada needs them," says Silva.

This is particularly true of the construction industry, says Silva, which is a primary beneficiary of
non-status labour. Canada is currently experiencing a construction boom and there is a serious shortage of skilled workers to fill the need.

"The average age of construction workers now is 50 years old, and we're going to have a huge crisis in another 10 years," notes Silva.

In British Columbia alone, 20,000 additional construction workers will be needed over the next three years to prepare for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. There's a huge labour crunch in Ontario, and in Winnipeg they are scrambling for factory workers. Help wanted signs are ubiquitous in Alberta, where immigrant workers are also in high demand to work in the oil sands.

The Liberal government was planning to increase immigration targets by roughly 40,000 people per year – a plan which the Conservatives have now scrapped – to meet shortfalls in the labour market.

"I think it's a contraction – many are these industries are crying out about labour shortages," says Deena Ladd, Workers Action Centre Coordinator. Ladd says that, similar to the situation in the U.S., most non-status workers are doing jobs considered undesirable by many Canadians, such as construction, cleaning, delivery, kitchen work, care-giving etc.

One way the shortages could be solved, Ladd argues, is by regularizing non-status labourers. "These workers are all surviving – they're working, they aren't accessing benefits. They are making huge contributions to the economy and aren't being recognised for it."

In an interview with CTV News, Immigration Minister Monte Solberg defended the government's stance against recognizing non-status immigrants.

"We have an obligation to the hundreds of thousands of people waiting to get into this country to make sure we don't reward those who don't play by the rules," he said.
But supporters of regularization—granting legal recognition to people already working in Canada—argue that the queue-jumping argument doesn't make sense because there is no queue for working class jobs.

"There is no queue for working people in this country. There is definitely a queue for professionals and people who have the money to buy their way into Canada, but there's no queue for working people. You can't get into Canada using the points system," says Fortier.

Canada's point system for determining immigrant eligibility strongly favours high levels of education, strong language abilities and experience in certain highly-skilled categories of employment. Low scores in any two of those categories guarantees exclusion through normal channels. The point system has been criticized for creating an immigrant population packed with engineers and other professionals, while failing to attract enough of the trades people and labourers who are so sorely needed.
But while the Conservative are taking a tough stance on non-status immigrant, the government has also taken measures to make it easier for some newcomers to work. For example, new regulations allow foreign students to take off-campus jobs, immigration landing fees have been cut in half, and steps have been taken to streamline the citizenship process.

This article written by Cindy Drukier and Joan Delaney, Epoch Times Toronto and Victoria Staff, May 31, 2006

Copyright 2000 - 2005 Epoch Times International

The Federal Public Sector Youth Internship Program http://youth.gc.ca/yip-psj/ -a program to provide unemployed or underemployed youth with work experience through internships in federal organizations

Congratulations to my YMCA colleagues across Canada involved in the Federal Public Sector Youth Internship Program FPSYIP.
Each person involved in the program worked hard to make 2005-2006 such a successful year for FPSYIP. It has been a year of transition, and the YMCA has responded and demonstrated continued success in program delivery and in developing youth in our country as we build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.

Regards,
Dan Trepanier
Manager, National Programs
Federal Public Sector Youth Internship Program



About the Program
Funded by the Human Resources Social Development Canada (HRSDC), and administered on behalf of YMCA Canada by the YMCA of Greater Toronto as the Lead Association, this program offers 6-9 month internship opportunities in Federal Government Departments, Ministries and Agencies. The program targets young Canadians between 15 and 30 years of age, who are unemployed or underemployed and need help breaking the cycle of “no experience, no job / no job, no experience”. Internship opportunities are available across Canada, and are targeted at 3 main groups of youth: youth who have not graduated from high school (50% of total internships), high school graduates (30%) and post-secondary graduates (20%). All interns are matched with a suitable internship, and a mentor who coaches and supports them throughout their work experiences.

The program has provided internship opportunities to more than 8000 youth since its beginning in 1997, and aims to provide internship opportunities to over 800 youth each year. Every year young Canadians received valuable work experiences through this program. Over 18 YMCAs across the country have been actively involved in the recruitment and delivery of this program in their communities, offering services that include assessment, provision of training, ongoing guidance and support, as well as job-search and career pathing services.

As the National Office for the Federal Public Sector Youth Internship Programs Unit provides a myriad of services, including: payroll and employer services (following provincial and national legislation), finance and accounting, marketing and promotion, program administration, monitoring of quality and compliance on a national level, administration of Host agreements, provision of support to YMCAs, Host Departments, and Participants in both Official languages, data collection and reporting, and human resources and risk management.

Some significant highlights for 2005-2006:
• 813 interns served
• 50.7% were non grads, 29.4% were high school grads and 19.9% were post secondary (how close can you get to the goal 50/30/20!).
• We served more disabled than ever before.
• Thanks to BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario we served 6.6% Aboriginal interns, twice as many as the census population would call for.
• We served 16.9% visible minorities compared to the census goal of 13.4% and our numbers are increasing slightly year over year.
• 19.9% were French speaking, thank you Montreal YMCA.
• Our completion rate which is our overall success standard is now at 78.8%, best ever!
• 72.2% of our interns found employment, were hired by their host or returned to school.

Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivered the Canadian Federal Budget on Tuesday May 2, 2006.

The budget contains 29 separate taxation reduction measures covering all areas where the federal government collects funds, it also features additional restrained funding, provides for a national discourse on the nature of the Federation, and calls for an Expenditure Management Review to find $1billion in “savings” per year for 2 years to be completed by this fall.

Under the proposed Expenditure Management Review, programs must demonstrate their cost effectiveness and results; be in a defined area of federal jurisdiction; and meet their original mandate. Reductions to spending will be included in the fall’s supplementary estimates.

There is significant detail on the proposed make-up of the new child care arrangement and the elimination of the capital gains tax on charitable donations, available if desired.

The full text of the Budget and Budget Speech: Focussing on Priorities, and a “principle-based framework on fiscal arrangements”, outlined in the companion document Restoring Fiscal Balance in Canada, are available at http://www.fin.gc.ca. Inter-governmental, Parliamentary, and Public consultations on Restoring Fiscal Balance in Canada are expected to begin within months.

Since there are 29 separate taxation reduction measures in Budget 2006, here are SOME highlights focussing on tax incentives that either directly affect the orgnization I work for. (The YMCA or its main constituency):

Immigration:

 Reduction of the Right of Permanent Residence Fee from $975 to $490, effective immediately.

 Increase immigration settlement and integration (i.e. language training and employment-related supports) funding by $307million over two years, over and above investments already made in previous budgets. This funding is to enhance programs and services in all provinces and territories (except Quebec who have a separate immigration funding arrangement).

 $18million over two years to begin “taking steps towards” the establishment of a Canadian Agency for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Credentials. This is to be achieved through the furthering of consultations already underway with the Provinces, Territories and other stakeholders on the mandate, structure and governance of the proposed Agency under the direction of the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development.

General taxation measures:

 Exempting donations of publicly listed securities to public charities from capital gains tax, effective immediately. (more information available in Annex 3 of the Budget Plan)

 The goods and services tax (GST) will be reduced by 1 percentage point as of July 1, 2006.

 The new Canada Employment Credit—a tax credit on employment income of up to $500, effective July 1, 2006, to help working Canadians. The eligible amount will double to $1,000 as of January 1, 2007.

 Increases in the basic personal amount—the amount that all Canadians can earn without paying federal income tax—to $10,000 by 2009.

 A public transit tax credit effective July 1, 2006 - benefits to approximately 2 million Canadians who make a sustained commitment to use this environmentally friendly mode of transportation. An individual who purchases passes costing $80 per month throughout the year will receive up to about $150 in federal tax relief for the year. All transit users, including commuters, students and seniors, will qualify.

 In line with the promotion of health and wellness, the budget proposes to increase tobacco and alcohol excise duties to offset the impact of the GST rate reduction effective July 1, 2006.

On tax incentives supporting the skilled trades:

 A new tax credit of up to $2,000 for employers who hire apprentices.

 A new $1,000 grant for first- and second-year apprentices.

 A new $500 tax deduction for trades people for costs in excess of $1,000 for tools they must acquire as a condition of employment. Also, the $200 limit on the cost of tools eligible for the 100-per-cent capital cost allowance will be increased to $500.

On healthy, active living for children and youth:
 A children’s fitness tax credit for up to $500 in eligible fees for physical fitness programs for each child under age 16 effective January 1, 2007

 The credit will be provided on up to $500 of eligible fees for programs of physical activity for each child under age 16. In the coming months, the Government will establish a small group of experts in health and physical fitness to provide advice on the programs of physical activity that should be eligible for the credit.

Specific Budget measures relevant to the work of the YMCA of Greater Toronto:

Child care:

 $3.7billion over 2 years for the “Universal Child Care benefit (UCCB) which will provide all families with $100/month per child under the age of 6. The UCCB will not affect federal income-tested benefits and will be provided as of July 1, 2006.

 $250million to support the creation of 25,000 new child care spaces per year rising to a total of 125,000 over 5 years

A copy of the details of the government plan for child care have been put into a separate document accompanying this summary piece for those wishing additional information.


Affordable Housing:

 Additional $800 million to provinces and territories to address immediate pressures in affordable housing in cities and communities.

 “The Government is providing this one-time payment, to be paid into a third-party trust, contingent on sufficient funds from the 2005–06 surplus in excess of $2 billion (to be determined in the fall) paid notionally over 3 years. The Affordable Housing Trust will support investments to increase the supply of affordable housing, including transitional and supportive housing.
Early media reports state the City of Toronto is slated to receive the majority of this funding, providing for the construction of an estimated 1000 new units once the money is transferred.

Youth at risk:
 $20 million over two years for communities to prevent youth crime with a focus on guns, gangs and drugs. Additional information to be forwarded “shortly” following “consultations”.

Emergency Preparedness:
 $460 million ($1 billion over five years) to further improve Canada’s pandemic preparedness.

Foreign Aid
 Up to $320 million in 2005–06 to fight polio, tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS and to help low-income countries cope with natural disasters or sharp rises in commodity prices. (a breakdown is available if interested)

Aboriginal Communities
 $450 million for improving water supply and housing on reserve, education outcomes, and socio-economic conditions for Aboriginal women, children and families. The budget also confirms up to $300 million to provinces to address immediate pressures in off-reserve Aboriginal housing, and up to $300 million to territories for affordable housing in the North.

CANADIAN COUNCIL FOR REFUGEES

Every day hundreds of newcomers begin a new life in Canada. Some are refugees fleeing persecution, others come to join family, others again are seeking to make a better life for themselves. In all, over 200,000 people settle in Canada each year. Their backgrounds and personal histories may be widely different and each one's experience on arrival is unique. The communities across Canada into which they integrate differ too in their character and in the manner of their welcome of new members.

For many new Canadians, there are, nevertheless, certain shared experiences, as they make a home for themselves in this country. They must find somewhere to live and a job, familiarize themselves with a different society and culture, make a new network of friends and acquaintances and often learn a new language. In the process, they may experience success -- but also alienation, loneliness, frustration, xenophobia and racism. Refugees often face particular challenges in adapting -- because their arrival was not planned or a matter of choice, but a matter of survival. They may be deeply traumatized by their past experiences. They often arrive separated from their immediate families whom they have had to leave behind, perhaps in the country of origin, perhaps in a refugee camp.

It is the refugees and immigrants who themselves do the greatest part of the work of integration, finding a place for themselves with courage, patience, creativity and hope. In doing so they change and enrich the host society.

Newcomers are assisted in the process of settling into Canada by a wide range of individuals and organizations. Friends, family, new acquaintances, faith communities, Canadians with origins in the same part of the world, employers and officials of all kinds may offer new Canadians help as they establish their new lives.

In addition, Canada has developed over the years a broad network of organizations whose mission, in whole or in part, is to serve refugees and immigrants in their process of adjustment to Canadian society. These organizations have accumulated considerable depth and breadth of experience in newcomer settlement services. Many refugees and immigrants receive assistance from such organizations, some just briefly, others over a long period. Refugee and immigrant-serving organizations also play a key role in helping the host society to adapt to newcomers, by sensitizing institutions and the public to their realities.

The purpose of this document is to present an overview of settlement services and in particular to identify some of the elements that are generally agreed to make for successful settlement programs. These elements, or "best practices", flow out of our understanding of the nature and challenges of settlement and of the role of settlement services in the process. For this reason our "best practice guidelines" are preceded by a detailed account of the context in which settlement services are offered.


It is hoped that this document will be of interest to those in the field, not so much because the content will be new, but rather because they see themselves and their work reflected, and can use the document to explain their work to others. The process of developing the report has provided an interesting forum for the exchange of ideas and information. The document is more particularly intended for those in the wider community wishing to understand settlement services. Those outside Canada who are interested in the Canadian experience of newcomer integration will, we hope, also find this overview informative.

NOTE: See the link below for the full article. Source: CANADIAN COUNCIL FOR REFUGEES http://www.web.ca/ccr/bpfina1.htm

The congregation of MCC Toronto has a volunteer managed used household goods and used clothing store that sells these goods to other congregants (THRIFT SHOP).

MCC Toronto assists refugees registered in the LGBT Refugee Peer Support Group Program http://projects.takingitglobal.org/lgbtpeer with a certificate allowing each member a one-time opportunity to shop for free at the MCC Toronto Thrift Shop for needed items that they can use.

Goods can include clothing, books and other small household appliances. Selections vary weekly. Hours of operation are Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Certificates can be obtained from the MCC Toronto Refugee Team Facilitator and by attending the Peer Support Group meetings. Items are generously donated by MCC Toronto.

A Vision for Building Canada’s Future

Global migration is a phenomenon of modern times. According to recent estimates, up to 200 million people now live outside their country of origin [note 1], either on a permanent or temporary basis. A number of factors have influenced migration in recent decades: population growth; market globalization; advances in communication technology; relatively inexpensive transportation; and political, economic and social conditions and trends at the national and international levels.

Immigration has been fundamental to the growth of Canada and to our history of achievement. From our earliest days through to the global transformations of recent years, hardworking people and their families have come to Canada from all over the world. Collectively, they have made a significant contribution to the development of our economy, our society and our culture.

Immigration will play a key role in building the Canada of tomorrow by addressing future labour market and demographic needs, and supporting the country’s international role and geopolitical presence. Looking to the future, Canada needs the talent and dynamism that immigrants bring to this country. Immigration is key to nation building and to our economic prosperity.

In economic terms, immigration supports Canada’s future prosperity by contributing to the continued growth in the country’s standard of living. Immigration will help maintain labour force growth and the necessary skilled labour supply in different sectors and regions across the country.

In social terms, immigration will enhance the Canadian approach to multiculturalism and diversity, lending social and cultural richness to communities across the country and providing a source of comparative advantage in attracting and retaining talent.

In global terms, immigration will help to ensure Canada’s influence in the world and support the ongoing humanitarian commitment to the protection of refugees.

At the same time, the international environment will increasingly challenge Canada’s ability to meet its future economic, social and cultural needs through immigration. On the one hand, as a result of local and global events, unprecedented numbers of people are on the move. There is growing recognition of the need for international cooperation to ensure the management of migration, and Canada participates in several international fora to lend its expertise in this area and to advance Canadian immigration and humanitarian objectives.

On the other hand, the global environment is also one in which competition for skill and talent will intensify with the declining population growth in the world’s developed regions and the emergence of developing countries as economic powers. Canada has an overall record of success in attracting and integrating immigrants, but challenges to remaining globally competitive are undeniable. Ensuring Canada remains a destination of choice is imperative when, within the next 10 years, our country will experience slowing labour force growth and labour supply shortages in certain regions and sectors, and all net labour force growth will come from immigration. Canada’s relative share of the North American population is also expected to decline over time.

Canada needs to prepare itself to compete in this changing and more challenging international environment and needs to move now to start putting the conditions in place to ensure more successful immigration to Canada.


Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pub/annual-report2005/section1.html

A special thanks to Natalie for taking 4 members of the MCC –LGBT Peer Support Group on a tour of the YMCA Newcomer Information Centre (NIC) http://dantrepanier.tigblog.org/post/37080

Now that each person is registered they can use the computers, photocopiers, fax machines and access community resources. It’s a safe, friendly environment along the Bloor/Yonge subway line, that can be used daily if wanted – and access is FREE!

Register with the YMCA Newcomer Information Centre (NIC)!

What was really cool was that Natalie spoke Russian and was able to help one member, who needed Russian translation, to focus on finding volunteer work experience and make a contribution to his community.

THE NEWCOMER VOLUNTEER NETWORK

Natalie at the YMCA-NIC is very good at sitting down with newcomers to help them access volunteer opportunities. We find that many Refugees are eager to make a valuable contribution to their new community as well as develop skills and make new connections.

Newcomers settling in Toronto are faced with many challenges in adjusting to a new life in Canada. One of the key benchmarks in a newcomer’s settlement process is employment. Through the act of volunteerism, newcomers are able to practice new language skills, build social networks, gain Canadian experience and develop that integral sense of attachment and belonging to a new community.

One of the challenges for organizations working with newcomer volunteers is to ensure that the volunteer opportunities available are suitable for recent immigrants and that, they can provide personal and professional development while simultaneously ensuring the needs of their organization.

The YMCA NIC centre matches recent immigrants to the right organizations.

FOCUS ON EMPLOYMENT PREPARATION, INFORMATION & REFERRAL SERVICES.

4 group members attended the EMPLOYMENT information centre and will now connect with Colleen (an Employment Specialist) through the YMCA to begin meeting weekly for (18 weeks 2 hrs a week). The focus it to discuss employment issues; finding a job, resumes, the hidden job market, interview skills and much more!

NEW CONNECTIONS ~ PROUD LIVES: The MCCT Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgendered (LGBT) Refugee Peer & Mentoring Support Meetings, along with the YMCA -NIC and YMCA Employment Program results;
--Three members, in April, have begun volunteering at MCC on other mission teams.
--Two have begun volunteering at other community agencies.

Participants come together to;
--prepare 'appropriate' letters of support for their Immigration hearings
--access volunteer and work opportunities
--accessing personal counseling to deal with emotional issues
--access basic resources such as housing, clothing, food
--continue working on English skills
--be part of a SAFE environment to discuss issues
--exchange contact info with others and peer connect between meetings.

•Each member has an opportunity to share ideas and resources to support each other.

Keep up to date with what is happening
If you have not already done so, I encourage you to subscribe to this on-line group at http://groups.takingitglobal.org/LGBTissues The benefits are that you get to be part of an online community and keep in touch with others interested in looking at issues for LGBT Refugees and Newcomers in Toronto, or wanting to visit Toronto.

An update to:
Youth & Family for Gay, Lesbian Refugees & Newcomers WEB Group on TIG http://groups.takingitglobal.org/LGBTissues
and NEW CONNECTIONS ~ PROUD LIVES: The MCCT Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgendered (LGBT) Refugee Peer & Mentoring Support Meetings at the Church in Toronto. http://projects.takingitglobal.org/lgbtpeer

GREETINGS EVERYONE!
Let me update you on the great work many people are doing to help LGBT Refugees in Toronto!

First off more people are getting involved in our growing list of cool projects that focus on helping LGBT Refugees and Newcomers to Toronto. Go to this link to learn details: http://www.tigblog.org/group/GLBT from there you will see Web links to projects and groups that might interest you!

We are using a technology platform that makes it easy to show the many interesting projects being developed to help LBGT Refugees and Newcomers in Toronto.

The on-line technology platform we are using to ‘showcase’ our projects and groups is called TakingItGlobal (TIG). More information about TIG here http://dantrepanier.tigblog.org/post/34746

I have a BLOG (A BLOG is a web log where you can post your writing – it’s like a web journal)
Anyone can create a BLOG on TIG (Called TIGBlogs). The goal is to provide you with information on people, inspiring stories, interesting articles and featured community groups; related to LGBT Refugees and Newcomers

Go to http://dantrepanier.tigblog.org . About three times a week I try and post an interesting resource or article. Your emails inspire me to pick topics and information that might help YOU!

More about on-line groups;
If you have not already done so, I encourage you to subscribe to this on-line group at http://groups.takingitglobal.org/LGBTissues The benefits are that you get to be part of an online community and keep in touch with others interested in looking at issues for LGBT Refugees and Newcomers in Toronto, or wanting to visit Toronto.

If you join this online group the technology can keep you email address private but folks may be able to see your name here Go to http://groups.takingitglobal.org/LGBTissues/members so if you don’t want your name revealed don’t join the on-line group (or use an alias)

It is always important to PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY.
Right now the people who attend the The MCC –Toronto, Canada; Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgendered (LGBT) Refugee Peer & Mentoring Support Meetings are on a PRIVATE email list and not listed on the web through TIG.

MORE SUCCESS!

Sunday April 9th was the first LGBT Refugee support meeting facilitated by BrianB and DanT
•6 REFUGEES ATTENDED, (From Russia,Azerbaijan, Brazil, The Caribbean and Ukraine) learn more here Go to http://projects.takingitglobal.org/lgbtpeer/reports/?id=37462

ARE YOU CURRENTLY a Refugee or Newcomer, wanting to celebrate the diversity of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgendered) community, find a job and access resources in Toronto? Read about the THE YMCA of Greater Toronto, ONTARIO WORKS EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT PROGRAM (OWEP)
and the Newcomer Information Centre here http://dantrepanier.tigblog.org/post/37080

POST A COMMENT... WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Have a great week and keep the faith!

Sincerely,
All of us who care!

Web Link to this update http://dantrepanier.tigblog.org/post/37465

Two types of Refugees: Some refugees may be sponsored by the Canadian government or by individuals or groups in Canada:

1. Government-assisted refugees are Convention Refugees Abroad and members of the Source Country Class whose initial resettlement in Canada is entirely supported by the Government of Canada or Quebec.

2. Privately sponsored refugees are Convention Refugees Abroad and members of both the Country of Asylum and Source Country Classes whose resettlement in Canada is supported by groups of individuals or organizations in Canada.

Organizations or individuals in Canada interested in sponsoring refugees should consult the CIC web site at http://www.cic.gc.ca

Learn about YMCA Newcomer Services

Written by Dan Trepanier
I finally sponsored a Child through World Vision!
A while back I decided to sponsor a child in Brazil through World Vision. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian advocacy, relief, and development organization active in more than 90 countries around the world, providing help to more than 85 million people each year.
If you sponsor a child your support will help to fund vital development work in their community, such as digging wells, improving sanitation and building health clinics.

This work ensures that the community will be able to provide children with the basics they need to help them grow up in a healthy environment and have a chance for a better future.
VISIT WORLD VISION @ http://www.worldvision.ca

I have attached a PDF file with information regarding the community and the work that World Vision is doing in my sponsored child’s community as well as a map of Brazil, with the general location of the community where he lives.
INFO ON MY SPONSORED CHILD’S COMMUNITY IN BRAZIL @ http://www.takingitglobal.org/action/projects/download.html/5909/WorldVisionBRA20174105

As a World Vision sponsor you are able to learn about a sponsored child and his community through each Annual Progress Report that you receive. In this case I receive an Annual Progress Report directly from the office in Brazil once a year. Each report will provides me with an updated photo of my sponsored child in addition to information on how he is doing and how my support has provided benefit for his family and community.

The best way to communicate with a sponsored child would be through writing letters. Communicating with sponsored children this way really adds to the personalized side of child sponsorship and World Vision is told that the children love receiving the letters.

MY SPONSORED CHILD’S LIFE IN BRAZIL
What is Brazil like?

Brazil is the largest country in South America and it occupies almost half of the continent. Brazil is primarily an agricultural country. Most of the 157.8 million Brazilians live in the densely populated areas of eastern Brazil. The country has an extremely inequitable distribution of income, where the wealthiest 2% of the population controls over 40% of national income. The chronic poverty of the semi-arid northeast is aggravated by periodic drought. Many Brazilians migrate to the cities from rural areas in search of opportunity and hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom are children, roam the streets homeless.

Life in my sponsored child’s community

My sponsored child lives in Tapera, one of the poorest regions of the semi-arid northeast of Brazil. Many things are being done to address my sponsored child’s immediate needs and to promote lasting changes, which will strengthen the community. These changes include improving:

Health

My sponsored child receives health check-ups and follow-up treatments as required.
My support improves the quality of drinking water, including better water sources and appropriate storage.
My support also improves the basic sanitation conditions in the community.

Education

My sponsored child is given school uniforms and schools supplies.
My support enables students to participate in after school programs that are focused in the local area, to foster a stronger sense of community.
My monthly gifts provide additional training for public school teachers to improve the quality of education.

Families’ Futures

Local farmers are taught how to improve the quality of their crops and maximize production, especially in arid conditions.
My monthly gifts provide leadership and management training for people in the community.
My support helps set up local micro-enterprises to increase job opportunities and family income.

I am grateful to offer my gifts. I know they are helping to change a child’s world.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization reaching out to a hurting world

ARE YOU NEW TO TORONTO?
Do you need information about employment, housing, health, schools, credential assessment, English language classes, volunteer opportunities and more?

Come to the Newcomer Information Centre!
A settlement program for newcomers to Canada

Download YMCA Toronto NEWCOMER INFORMATION CENTRE (NIC) Flyer (PDF file 632.6 KB )

Our Services
--Up-to-date information and referral to help you settle in Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
--Information Sessions:
--Canada: Culture, Society and People
--Employment Services Information Session
--Canadian Workplace Culture
-- Newcomer Network
--Are you new to Canada?
--Your Financial Rights and Obligations
--Guest speakers for Internationally Educated Professionals & from other sectors in the community
--Free access to resource library, computers & Internet access
--Free access to fax and photocopier
--Friendly, multi-lingual staff
--Volunteer opportunities


NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY. PLEASE DROP BY!
Download Map YMCA Toronto NEWCOMER INFORMATION CENTRE (NIC) Flyer (PDF file 632.6 KB )
Where we are
42 Charles St. East, 3rd floor
Toronto 416-928-6690
www.ymcatoronto.org

Hours of Operation
Monday through Thursday
9 am to 8 pm
Friday
9 am to 2 pm
Saturday
10 am to 2 pm

The Host Program matches volunteers with newcomers just starting their lives in Canada. While friends and family greet some newcomers, many others arrive without anyone to welcome them. You can be a friend and help them adjust to a new way of life.

You will be carefully matched with a newcomer or family. They may have similar interests to you and might work in the same profession. In addition to helping them, this is an opportunity for you to make new friends and learn about other cultures.

How much time do you need? How much money will it cost?
Joining the Host Program costs you nothing but a little of your time. A few hours a week for up to a year is all it takes to make a difference. Enough time to see a movie — or go for a walk in your community. There are organized activities for all to enjoy, such as social events, chat sessions and other get-togethers. As you get to know one another, you can plan your own activities and make your own schedule.

Be a guide to your community.

By volunteering just a little time each week, you can show your newcomer friend(s) how to do the things you do everyday. Share your experience by helping them learn how to use the transit system, open a bank account, use a bank machine, where to shop or even how to find a job. You can help them become part of your community and an active member of Canadian society.

The Host Program benefits Canadians. The Host Program benefits you.

In addition to making new friends, you will get to participate in an exchange of cultures. Like your new friends — you will also learn about other cultures and ways of life. And through the eyes of newcomers, you may even learn things you didn’t know about the Canadian way of life.

Join the fun and volunteer in a Host Program near you. For more information, contact an immigrant-serving organization in your area or call the CIC Call Centre.

Learn More about The Host Program go to
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomer/host%2D1e.html /a>

Advocate for the Immigrant-serving Sector and Expert on Immigrant and Refugee Issues.

OCASI acts as a collective voice for immigrant-serving agencies and to coordinate response to shared needs and concerns. OCASI is a registered charity governed by a volunteer board of directors. Its membership is comprised of more than 170 community-based organizations in the province of Ontario.

The Mission of OCASI is to achieve equality, access and full participation for immigrants and refugees in every aspect of Canadian life. As a council of autonomous community-based agencies which serve the immigrant communities of Ontario, OCASI asserts the right of all persons to participate fully and equitably in the social, cultural, political and economic life of Ontario.

Learn more about OCASI at http://www.ocasi.org/index.php

OCASI hosts practical projects that create access to social, economic and political participation of newcomers in Ontario. OCASE works on specific projects to provide needed services to sector workers, create collaborative initiatives and enhanced access to professional development and skills development across our sector.

OCASI seeks to create and implement innovative solutions to existing sector issues, and to provide cross-sectoral support to agencies and newcomers directly. Our overall goal is to support and maintain a strong service-delivery system that meets the changing needs of newcomers to Ontario and Canada. With our members, OCASI ensures that our projects reach a wide range of sector workers, in all areas of Ontario.

Technology and community development combine strongly in creating innovative OCASI projects. OCASI is an invaluable partner to the settlement sector, to governmental organizations and to community agencies across Ontario. Developing these partnerships, nurturing new ones, and leading the way for fair, accessible and integrated settlement services remain OCASI's objectives for many years to come.

The Settlement.Org Web site provides newcomers with information and resources to settle in Ontario, Canada.

Settlement.Org does this in three ways:
1.Good, accurate, reliable and timely content on the site.
2.Links to excellent sites with authoritative information and necessary content – a portal to excellent information on the web.
3.Linking newcomers offline to services in their local community.

Settlement.Org seeks to improve the quality of information and services provided to newcomers. Settlement.Org provides an electronic community where newcomers can read announcements, make contacts, discuss current issues, find answers to frequently asked questions and access a directory of organizations.Settlement.Org is open to all and is accessed most frequently by newcomers, settlement workers and the general public.

In response to the need of assuring the smooth transition of new immigrants sponsored by their families to immigrate to Canada as a result of the 2004 tsunami disaster, OCASI has produced a resource kit of information with the financial assistance of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, which is now ready for distribution to the affected communities and the general public.

Funded by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, the Distribution Project of the Sponsor Information Kit aims to disseminate a kit that contains useful guidelines for both the newcomers and their sponsor families to follow in order to secure a successful and pleasant transition in time. The primary target recipients are those community groups that are affected directly by the 2004 tsunami, such as Sri Lankan, Somali, Thai, Indonesian and Indian. The kit is available in English, French, Tamil and Somali. New immigrants in general and their sponsor families can also benefit from this Kit.

Included in the kit is a series of 5 photo novellas that explains common mental health and substance abuse issues encountered by the communities, and the types of services available to assist those who seek help. The topics covered are depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, drugs, alcohol and gambling. They are available in English, with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder also available in Tamil.

Organizations or individuals can receive these materials, free of charge, by taking ONE of the following steps:
1) Complete the request form available online at OR
2) Download the request form, complete it and fax it to 416-292-9120

For details on the materials, please visit this website for descriptions, or contact Elizabeth Lynn at e.lynn@cicscanada.com, or call her at Toronto, Canada 416-292-7505, x116.

WORKING WITH NEWCOMERS!

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is an incorporated charitable organization that has served the diverse needs of the community for over 150 years. In 1853, the YMCA was conceived as a social integrator – initially cutting across class divisions, later gender lines and religious boundaries. As societal norms have changed, the Association has changed. It owes its longevity and continued relevance to the timelessness of its mission and its capacity to reflect upon its core values within an ever-changing social context. The Association fulfills its vision – “to be a leader in enhancing civil society, where people are respectful and supportive of one another, within Canada’s most diverse community” – by forging relationships with individuals and communities in the Greater Toronto Area built on trust, mutual respect, and shared accountability.

The YMCA is very active internationally as a non-government organization with partnerships and programs in many different countries throughout the world. Many newcomer clients coming to Canada are aware of our community expertise in being an active leader in helping individuals and communities grow stronger. We believe in working together with our clients, volunteers and community partners to create strong individuals, families and communities.

The YMCA serves one of the largest and complex urban environments in Canada and is one of the largest YMCAs in North America and the world. The Greater Toronto Area is home to thousands of new immigrants and refugees, with 44% of Toronto’s population born outside of Canada. The YMCA recognizes this growing diversity and is a leader in assisting newcomers to make the smooth transition of settling in their new home. Furthermore, our current strategic plan includes a diversity and inclusion initiative that focuses on strengthening our appreciation of our diverse community.

YMCA newcomer Services

The Newcomer Services Unit has over 25 years experience working with a range of newcomers. Programs include:

 LINC Assessment Centre
 Newcomer Information Centre (NIC)
 Korean Settlement Services

The YMCA Newcomer Service’ primary location is at 42 Charles Street East, where both the LINC Assessment and Newcomer Information Centre reside on the 3rd floor for convenient one-stop service. Our Charles Street site is centrally located within 1 block of the two subway lines in Toronto. Our building is fully accessible to physically challenged people. We are in close proximity and have excellent relations with other community and human services/organizations. The Centre operates extended working hours with evenings and Saturdays and has a child friendly play area for parents with children.

The YMCA Newcomer Services has over 10 years experience working directly with GARs.
 From May 2003 to June 2004 over 15% of clients served in Newcomer Services were refugees. Specifically, 11% of these Government Assisted Refugees were from the current source countries identified.
 The top ten countries served for the same period included Afghanistan (3%) and Iran (6%) both identified as main source countries for current GARs.
 COSTI RAP participants from the Toronto reception centres also schedule monthly tours and information sessions at the NIC Centre

Newcomer Services staff members speak approximately 34 languages including Farsi, Arabic, Pushto, Tamil, Amharic, Tigrinya and other languages in addition to English and French. Through its Volunteer Program, Newcomer Services actively recruits and maintains volunteers from GAR source countries and therefore has additional resources and access to substantial linguistic and cultural expertise. The NIC Centre houses an array of multicultural resources and has delivered tours and information sessions in languages other than English. Newcomer Services also has access to interpreters through its established partnership with Access Alliance Multicultural Community Health Centre.

Because of the scope of programs and infrastructure of the YMCA of Greater Toronto, beyond the expected range of referrals to services we provide our newcomer clients, we are able to connect them internally to services that may include child care, summer camp, health/fitness and recreation programs. In the past year we have been able to implement a program for newcomers to receive a free pass to the health, fitness and recreation campus (7 of these across the GTA) in order to take advantage of programs.

Over 40,000 newcomers participated in YMCA employment and community programs in 2005 with referrals from over 1000 agencies across the GTA. YMCA Newcomer Information services work with more than 50% of the Newcomers to the GTA. It is also estimated that over 40 other agencies get some form of government funding for similar supports.

The YMCA does see a growing trend in GLBT people looking for supports (In particular from Latin American countries) and subsequently recognize the gaps in service to this community. The YMCA Newcomer Information Centre have a staff group of 14 who speak more than 37 different languages as needed while providing settlement information and referral to clients.
Link: The YMCA of Greater Toronto

Learn about YMCA Newcomer Services

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