VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE at the Rexdale Women

1/10 | V a n e s s a A l l e n - G r e e n
My Volunteer Experience at the Rexdale Women’s Centre
1625 Albion Road, Suite# 203, Etobicoke, On. M9V 5H8
Tel# (416)-745-0062 Fax# (416)-640-1627
THE AGENCY’S MANDATE:
I served as a volunteer at The Rexdale Women’s Centre (RWC); this centre is committed to
Empowering Women and their families. It is an independent, non-for-profit agency. It serves women
and their families, within the GTA who have ‘high-needs’. It’s Mission: To help immigrants, newcomers,
refugee women and their family members, to participate in the Canadian society (economically, socially
and politically). The Centre also helps to facilitate access to resources, agencies and community
services. The Centre was established in 1978 and hosts 300 volunteer annually. The RWC is located
on the south western side of Albion and Martin Grove roads, in Etobicoke.
I commenced service with RWC on Monday December 5th
, 2011. I served in the Child Care
Department on my first day. On my next service day, Tuesday December 13th
, 2011, I was assigned to
the Outreach Department, where I remained, until I completed my forty hours. From the experiences I
gained in service in this department, I have chosen to focus on the social issue of ‘Settlement;’ the
integration of new immigrants.
ISSUES THE AGENCY [RWC] SEEKS TO ADDRESS:
The RWC offers vital and diverse programs and services to the community, and have over three
hundred volunteers in service. The services offered, to aid in settlement, include;
1) Women Services and programs-weekly, cooking & baking classes that offer certification upon
completion) for a period of six to eight weeks and weekly child-care is available for mothers in
participating in the sessions. Free TTC tickets and educational material/books are also provided
for these sessions.
2) LIN-Language Instruction is available to Newcomers to Canada- it is open to adults who have
Landed Immigrant status, or are Convention Refugees/ESL-multi-level English classes-open to
Canadian Citizens, Landed Immigrants, Refugee Applicants and Convention Refugees or
Minister’s Permit holders (which serves clients with little or no English skills, to learn the
language and better integrate),

3) Newcomers programs (learn how to register children into school, how to access housing, how
to conveniently locate a worship centre, have an opportunity to connect with others and build
relationships regardless of race, ethnicity or gender, have an opportunity to learn how to job
search, learn how to prepare their resumes (sessions run for six weeks, twice per year) and
also, newcomers have an opportunity to volunteer with the centre, to gain Canadian
experience),
4) Seniors programs (workshops on seniors health & safety, recreational activities for seniors-
fitness classes, educational tours and trips, also computer training),
5) Community Engagement (Free hot meals available to the community, every Tuesday-
sponsored by RWC, North York Harvest Food Bank and The City of Toronto Public Health) and
an opportunity for social networking, to learn more about the other services available and to
meet other members of the community.
6) Children’s Services (Child-care-free craft activities and reading circles), prepares children for
entry into preschool (while parents are in English Language Classes). Also, parents have the
opportunity to discuss cognitive development with ECE-Early Childhood Educators, before
enrolling their child into school are while they are in school.
7) Youth Services (offers opportunity to do volunteer placements to build a stronger resume’
and also access to other services and employment agencies). Services are designed to address
settlement related issues such as, developing leadership skills, building self-esteem, and developing
positive conflict resolution skills.
The lack of these services can become a devastating experience for some youths, so as an alternative,
the youth services at RWC offers Peer Counselling, Individual Counselling and information on referrals,
are provided at the Centre, if or when the Centre cannot adequately facilitate the needs [emotional,
spiritual or psychological] of clients.
7) Host Programs: Allow newcomers to be matched with Canadian volunteers
[mentoring/shadowing], for the purpose of assisting the newcomer with resources, and

understanding Canadian life and culture. Host programs offer English Conversation Circles,
Movie Night [western movies] and Cooking Club. The RWC also offers services in a variety of
languages besides English, to accommodate its population, which include but is not limited to;
Arabic, Dari, Hindi, Punjabi, Mandarin, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, West Indian Dialect,
Italian.
SOCIAL ISSUE FACING IMMIGRANTS & THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ISSUE
As a volunteer with RWC, I was assigned to the Out Reach department. The social issue facing most
new immigrants is; how to effectively integrate; how to access skills training and ultimately,
employment. In the early stages of my volunteer exercise, I was given the task of refilling and re-
labelling of the clients files in the cabinet, and selecting and calling previous volunteers/client [many
volunteers were previous clients of the centre] to inform them of job availability, to which their skills are
applicable, and to offer them the opportunity to be interviewed by an agency. I contacted many new
immigrants who are in need of employment but are awareness of how to proceed in search of a job. So
as positions become available within the centre or at other settlement agency partners, I sought out the
immigrants who would have had the essential experience, from volunteering at the Centre, offer the
information and referred them for interviews. Another task in the out-reach department was to
connected with the community, so we propose to engage one of the Food Banks in the community, in
our efforts, by proposing that on the days that the Bank served the community, the Centre will promote
the services to people, and make them aware of how to access those services. In a nutshell, my
service at the center was to reach out to the community, offer the agency’s services and help new
immigrants to integrate comfortably.
HOW I UNDERSTAND [‘Settlement’] TO INFLUENCE THE POPULATION
My experience from an immigrant perspective, and from my service at the centre, I perceive that
immigrants are challenged with a chain of events relating to settlement, mainly because of the lack of
proper networking, without which they are denied vital information. I would have appreciated the help of
the Centre and the privilege to access the services it offers, when I was a new immigrant. I struggled to
integrate. Meanwhile I was in the same neighbourhood as the Centre is located today but was totally
oblivious of its existence. Other volunteers at the Centre shared comparable experiences; one
volunteer expressed that when she arrived, she lived directly opposite the Centre for six years, and was
unaware of the activity at the Centre or even of its existence across the street from her residence. It is

an assumption that all immigrants have social networks, so automatically they will integrate and be fine,
but that is so far from the truth. Many new immigrants in Ontario experience great struggles, especially
those whose first language is not English. What might appear to the average resident as a basic
exercise, e.g. taking the public transit [TTC, if you are in Toronto] can be quite a challenge. I am aware,
because it was a challenge for me, when I was a new immigrant to Canada.
As I review the files and observe the operations at the Centre, I perceive that ‘Settlement’ is a major
social challenge for new immigrants. Too many new immigrants are struggling unnecessarily with the
integration process. I will highlight the experience of a client/new immigrant, who has used the services,
then became an employee at RWC. She shared her experiences with me via an interview, which I
conducted.
1.) Q-Madame, how long have you lived in Canada? When did you arrive?
A.) I arrived as a new immigrant to Canada in May 2010.
2.) Q-Did you have any social networks prior to arriving in Canada?
A.) No I had no social networks prior to my arrival in Canada.
3.) Q-Where did you first reside, what area/location of the city?
A.) I first settled in the GTA; Etobicoke Ontario.
4.) Q-How did you learn about RWC?
5.) After I arrived in Canada, I did an online research and discovered Ontario
Works, which services I used, and via partnerships with community services
organizations, Ontario Works in collaboration with YMCA referred me to RWC.
6.) Q-Have you found the services at the RWC to be useful to you? How?
Yes, the services at the centre were very helpful to me. Ontario Works income
support services and social assistance program in collaboration with YMCA
employment support services, referred me to RWC for employment [through
their partnership with community organizations program], so that I can gain
Canadian experience.
7.) Q-What specific services do you feel were most helpful to you?

A.) The services that were most helpful to me were the workshops and ‘investing in
neighbourhoods’ programs.
8.) Q-How do you feel about the staff at the RWC, and the way they served you?
A.) The staff are committed to the mandate of the centre and they endeavour to
created or recommend positions for new immigrants to earn Canadian
experience and an income. They were very encouraging.
9.) Q-Is there anything you would like to see done differently at the RWC?
A.) Yes, currently the centre is geared to accommodate one cultural group. The
dominant group is South Asian [probably because of the population in the
neighbourhood]. However, I would like to see more cultural diversity on staff.
There is currently, one settlement counsellor assigned to address the needs of
the Afro-culture (Caribbean/African) within the community and thus, the quality
of service needs to be improved. Change is necessary. There are ten [10] South
Asian counsellors available at the centre to address the issues of that group.
Meanwhile, the crime rate involving Afro youths are on the increase because
there are not enough counsellors and community workers representation, to
address the needs Afro youths, as those of the Asian youths.
10.) Q-Would you recommend the centre to other new immigrants? Why or why
not?
A.) Yes! I would definitely recommend RWC, it is a great source of connection for
new immigrants and because of its partnership with other organizations, it offers
access to various community services which aid in simplifying settlement, but
most of all; the services are free.
This interview has allowed me to highlight the need and gratitude for the services at the
center and to encourage its initiative, but more so how the community is impacted by its
facilitation.
On Monday January 23rd
, 2012, I was privileged to have my first outreach assignment in the fields. I
was assigned to assist in coordinating the stations, in preparation for workshops at The Health
Information Session, “Navigating Health Services in North Etobicoke,” organized by North Etobicoke
Local Immigration Partnership, funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The presenters at this

session were a corporate body, which included, Ontario-Central West Local Health Integration Network
[LHIN], Toronto Public Health, William Osler Health System, Rexdale Women’s Centre, Canes
Community Care, Reconnect Mental Health Services and Rexdale Community Health Centre.
The Workshops were offered to the general public of the Rexdale Community; in order to receive an
information/participation package for the sessions, the residents were advised to register prior to the
date of the event. Nevertheless, unregistered attendees were also welcome. The sessions were very
informative and there was a strong sense of networking among the service providers. However, I
observed, that greater work has to be done on advertising these vital services, within the North
Etobicoke, region; even though it was densely attended, and had an active flow of about one hundred
participants.
I am overwhelmed with the services within the settlement programs across the city; the care and
nurture available to new migrants, however, it is only because I am directly involved, that I am so
informed, but the community still isn’t fully aware. These services are useful and beneficial to me and
others like me, even after considering ourselves settled. Many ignore these opportunities available to
assist in simplifying their lives [In my experience, I never thought of these services until I became
actively involved in the service of volunteering]. However, the combined providers encouraged
feedback from the participants, on how they can better serve the community’s needs, and encouraged
more participation from residents. I believe that with continued emphasis on ‘out-reach,’ new immigrant
families will be able to integrate faster, with less challenges. Many, of the major problematic areas for
new immigrants were addressed in the forum.
I concluded my volunteer service under a new supervisor at the centre on Tuesday Feb 21st
, 2012.
My time was spent preparing the conference rooms for two sessions; Stress Management Workshop
[another service at the centre that new immigrants may take advantage of] and New Volunteer
Orientation, after which free a lunch was served to the attending seniors of the stress management
workshop. I spent time networking and brainstorming with my supervisor and other community service
coordinators [the community food bank coordinator] in negotiation for permission to set up an
information booth at the Bank on distribution days, to educate the community on the services at RWC.
The Centre moved from its previous location, so I spent much time helping to organize for the move at
on March 15th
, 2012. As I reflect on my experiences at RWC, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity
I had to make a difference in the lives of others in the community, through the services of the RWC.
The RWC’s establishment is the initiative of immigrant women who experienced the very circumstances
when they arrived in Canada. The centre was established by the people for the people. So the services

implemented were thoroughly considered to soften the blow from the ‘culture-shock,’ on new
immigrants.
SUMMARY OF SCHOLARLY SOURCES ON SETTLEMENT ISSUES FACING IMMIGRANTS
I will examine two issues in immigrant settlement; firstly, the risk of homelessness in the immigrant
integration process and secondly, I the impact of social isolation on new immigrants who choose to
settle in ethnic enclaves. In review of the issue of new immigrant settlement into the Canadian society, I
will refer to the study of Valerie Preston et al, on the challenge of homelessness facing new immigrants
in the GTA, in the article, “Immigrants and homelessness—at risk in Canada’s outer suburbs.” I would
reiterate that, despite the challenges from government cut-backs and the recommendations highlighted
in the RWC client/worker’s interview, and from my experience, RWC is still an oasis for new
immigrants. As Preston relates, in her study of immigrant housing in the York Region; although the
majority of immigrants in York Region are homeowners, immigrant renters and homeowners in the
region are much more likely than their Canadian-born counterparts to be at financial risk, spending at
least 30 percent of total household income on housing. This is particularly the case for recent
immigrants who have lived in Canada for less than five years [immigrants who use settlement
resources, like the RWC, are more informed and are less likely to make such huge decisions and
commitment, before being properly educated]. In York Region as in the rest of the metropolitan area,
immigrants are at risk of homelessness largely because of their low incomes. Their financial problems
are exacerbated by social assistance rates that have increased very little since 1994. The safety net for
those encountering financial difficulties is frayed. There is a shortage of affordable housing provided by
the state. In York Region where the population has exploded since 1990, the rise of a neo-liberal
provincial government coincided with tremendous growth in demand for all public services. As a result,
there is a lower per capita expenditure on all types of services that newcomers need. Settlement
services, job training and language training are concentrated in the City of Toronto. Mental health
facilities and shelters for women and children who are victims of violence are rare and inadequate to
serve the rapidly growing population. There is very little subsidized housing and few housing
counselling services. Immigrants at risk in York Region have to rely on their own social networks for
help [which is an admirable thing, because this allows them to bond and create new and often times
lasting social networks; an amalgamation of creative thinkers can produce revolutionary solutions-an
example of a solution could be shared accommodation, which would reduce the cost of rent and other
ammenities]. Although as we have seen, the resources in these networks may be quite limited [even as
this revelation is also true, the fact is, that at RWC, social networking is encouraged through the
‘English Conversation Circles,’ within ethnic groups and across ethnic boundaries, so that more needs

are met, culturally, emotionally and other wise]. Immigrants choose to relocate to the outer suburbs as
part of a progressive housing career in which the move to the suburbs was evidence of upward
economic and social mobility. In York Region, homeownership is perceived to be a risky housing
strategy for many immigrants. A progressive housing career whereby ownership is viewed as evidence
of success may not necessarily be so. This has been a proven risk within a single metropolitan area,
[North York]. Additional research documenting the diversity of housing submarkets in metropolitan
areas and the circumstances of immigrants in each submarket is warranted (Preston, 2009). Preston
suggests that comparable studies of the housing situations of newcomers in the outer suburbs of other
metropolitan areas are also needed, to document how immigrants negotiate these diverse
environments of risk. However, through networking in facilities like the RWC, immigrants can tap into
vital information/tools to aid in cushioning their crisis. Preston highlights the risk of homelessness in the
face of immigrants who attempt to prove integration and growth lies in the myth that home ownership is
equal to success, when the reality is that integration is multi-facetted and success is an opinion. As an
immigrant myself, I have learnt during my earlier years in Canada, to evade the risk of homelessness,
by sharing a home with other family members. Despite all the challenges mentioned, I believe that if
services are made available [even when it involves immigrants helping immigrants; the principles under
which RWC was founded] to the community, new Canadians are destined to integrate and achieve their
desired goals.
As I examine Murdie, R. and C. Teixeira, "Toward a Comfortable Neighbourhood and Appropriate
Housing: immigrant experiences in Toronto,” they explored the notion that newly arriving immigrants in
a large metropolitan city as Toronto seek a neighbourhood that is comfortable, where they feel they
belong. Immigrants seek places that have their ethnic familiarities and social networks, for moral
support, employment and housing [ethnic enclaves], to cushion the impact of social exclusion from the
larger society. These neighbourhoods can be valuable for new immigrants and refugee groups to ease
their integration into the new society. However, not all immigrants from these compact ethnic
neighbourhood have access to social networks [the vital information and services required], and the
lack there of, might very well hinder integration. The outcome is that, while most immigrants seek a
comfortable neighbourhood, not all are successful in finding an area where they feel they belong,
especially in the initial stage of settlement, because beyond the familiar culture, they are isolated.
Thus, settlement centres such as RWC, play a vital role in integrating new Canadians, [e.g. beginning
with Conversation Circles]. So in my perspective, the mission for outreach is of high priority.
A SOCIAL WORKER’S PLAN TO ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING ‘Settlement’ ISSUES

From my experience at RWC, with settlement issues; my action plan will first be to have a stronger
focus on out-reach programs and secondly, focus on securing an ethnic balanced on the board of staff
and volunteer, so that all groups are adequately facilitated. I have observed that many residents are in
need of help [guidance & direction] but are unaware of where to access that help. Many immigrants
lack the appropriate social networks or have language barriers, so they isolate themselves. As a social
worker I would organize with the volunteers to canvas the community, zone by zone, door to door, if
necessary, to serve brochures and service flyers and to enquire about the needs of the residents. We
would promote the services of the centre at schools, local business, worship centres, food banks and
malls. We (the Centre) would arrange to have presentations/workshops done at community centres,
religious centres and in recreational rooms of apartment buildings, so that residents who are close to
the centre, would not live in the community for six years, and be oblivious of the centre’s services, [as
was the experience of a volunteer at the RWC]. Where ever immigrants congregate, we would ensure
that information about the free, available services at the centre are promoted. People, when unfamiliar
with their surroundings, are more timid, and avoid interaction or any form of embarrassment. They
might even mistrust institutions or services. Nevertheless, we at RWC, would liaise with the schools in
the community, to ensure that students are given the centre’s [RWC] information packages to give to
their parents. We would ensure that we reach new immigrants first, where ever they are, before they
feel the need to search for help.
To address the ‘in-reach crisis’ I would encourage the agency to have an ethnically diverse staff, so
that every client can be effectively served. In relation to the observation made by the client/worker,
about one ethnic group being adequately facilitated and is perceived to have integrated comfortably,
while another group lacked the essential services required to effectively integrate, and thus appeared to
be more challenged; I would definitely encourage more staff and volunteers to be assigned in the areas
least represented, to improve the quality of services offered to all.

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