C10 d10 transition to welcoming communities

Transition to Welcoming Communities Presented and designed by: Marilena Benak

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

Strengths Of Our Services
Flexible and individual oriented
Time effective
Cost effective (use of volunteers)
Open to changes in environment and other external influences (1)
Easy to remodel and adapt
Easy to deliver outside the main office

What We Want To Continue To Do Well
Building staff-client relationships
Establishing community connections
Engaging external resources
Providing external referrals
Being mindful in adapting to clients’ needs

Adding To What We Already Do
Activities focused on:
A ge group segments (children, seniors)
Gender interests (women, men)
Professional goals (mentoring)
Volunteering initiatives (create opportunities, create connections)
Civic participation interests (leadership training)
Customized initiatives:
Neighbourhood needs (language, faith, status)
Local issues (economic trends, transportation) (1)
Immediate needs for specific groups (massive refugee inflow from one particular country) (2)

The New Model; Our Role In The Framework
The active participation of Service Providers in creating a diverse society that promotes linguistic duality and social inclusion
Promotion of cultural understanding
Community development and capacity building
Participation in community and civic life
Fulfilling the immediate needs of immigrant clients and helping with their long-term goals
( CIC website)

The Modernized Approach: From A Suite Of Programs To One Integrated Program
Orientation
Language Skills
Access to The Labour Market
Welcoming Communities
Policies and Program Development

Start Your New Service Delivery Diagram
Welcoming and Initial Assessment, including short orientation and referrals to language assessment
Needs Assessment and Design the Case Management (Service Pathway)
Referral to support services and follow up
Outcome Measurement evaluation
Report to the organizational level

The Impact Of The Modernized Approach
Provide integrated services based on defined results communicated by newcomers
Retrain the staff and revise their duties to fit the new delivery model
Define the type of services provided outside your main office
Create the proper environment to deliver the available posted services
Document all the services provided

The Desired Results
Clients can make informed decisions based on the comprehensive information
Clients have an understanding of social and legal rights and know how to access resources
Clients have the official language skills to function in Canadian society
Clients have the skills – life skills to function in Canadian society

The Desired Results (cont’d)
Clients have knowledge of the Canadian Labour Market and Workplace Culture
Clients have the skills to apply for employment
Clients are connected in the community and actively participate in diverse social networks

Tools For The Modernized Approach
One door intake process in a computerized version
Database accessible to all staff engaged in supporting client through their individualized service pathway
Effective use of volunteers

The Welcoming Community
Strong desire to receive newcomers and create a “feel at home” environment
Ensure that newcomers are able to participate fully in the community life
Access to a full range of programs and meaningful employment

Continuing To Build Welcoming Communities
Include “Creating Welcoming Communities” in your long term outcome measurement
Measure the impact of your services in a professional manner utilizing a variety of tools and means
Communicate the results of your assessments to others
Celebrate your successes and spread the good news

Advance A Critical Team Approach For Building Support
Get a wider perspective on how to attract more clients through community consultations and local research
Identify champions to promote your cause (1)
Create meaningful Partnerships
Use advanced tools for building your reputation (media, employers of choice)

Strategies For Building Support
Make a list of the immigrant population’s challenges in your community
Do a SWOT analysis of your organization (1)
Set objectives and practical goals (2)
Share consensus with your partners and collaborators
Involve stakeholders from various sectors and create new collaborations (4)

The Welcoming Community Design Your Service Pathway
Re-evaluate and reinforce the clients’ needs (1)
Define with the client the projected success
Design and implement your activities based on the desired result
Identify and record the outcomes in the preferred format
Evaluate your work; the outcomes should be reflected in your evaluation

Expected Outcomes
Create social inclusion
forge new friendships
connect with professional counterparts
exposure to and engagement with community organizations for civic participation
Increase your English ability
Learn about ethics and cultural values in Canadian society and the workplace
Have a sense of safety and security
Overcome issues by getting a better understanding of Canadian society

Where Can We Expand The Delivery Of Services?
Schools
Community Centres
Libraries
Heritage Places
Business Sector
Municipalities

The Activities That Will Meet The Clients’ Expectations
Youth related activities:
Learning activities:
learning circles
theatre projects
ambassador groups
leadership activities
Recreational activities:
team sports and competitions
environmental activities

The Activities That Will Meet The Expected Outcomes
General Activities:
Conversation Circles
Training, workshops, and presentations
leadership training for civic inclusion
self esteem workshops
social skills
anger management
Networking events and focus/support groups
women/man focus group
grief and loss support group

Factors Affecting Clients’ Connections
Organization’s reputation
The need of services provided
Family ties
Organization’s marketing strategies
Awareness of existing community barriers
Language and culture
Comfort in service reception (receiving)

Attracting Clients
Website portal
Community Resources Guide
Interactive marketing (1)
Accessibility of services (2)
Customized services vs. standardized services (3)
Active presence throughout the community

Client Focus Services CLIENT

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

Closure
Build relationships and share resources (space, time, human capital, etc.)
Attract new stakeholders
Create new marketing image and brand your services
Use all the tools to approach the new model
Continue to do what you are doing well!

Contact Information
Marilena Benak
(519) 579-9622 ext. 261
KW YMCA Immigrant Services
800 King St W, 3 rd Floor
Kitchener, Ontario
N2G 1E8
www. ymca crosscultural.ca

Thank You

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C10 d10 transition to welcoming communities

by ocasiconference on Nov 26, 2010

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C10 d10 transition to welcoming communities — Presentation Transcript