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St. John's LIP Newsletter, December, 2016
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The St. John’s Local LIP is a broad-based partnership working on a shared vision to help improve the integration of immigrants in the city and to help create a welcoming and inclusive community for all newcomers.
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In this
Newsletter:
We've heard from our Partnership Council and others that there is a need for more tools for connecting individuals interested in immigration issues in the city. To help meet that need, and to encourage collaboration and information sharing, we have decided to create a newsletter to
be distributed 6 times a year and will include the following information:
- What's New
- Upcoming Events
- Programs and Initiatives
- Spotlight Stories
- New Research
- Get Involved
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What's new at the St. John's LIP
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The past few months have been busy at the St. John’s LIP, and the working groups have been meeting regularly to move ahead initiatives in their areas:
Health and Basic Needs
Education and Training
Employment and Labour Needs
Welcoming Communities and Social Connections
Each group will reconvene early in the new year, and we are always looking for new, interested members to join and help move their work forwards. Get in touch to get involved!
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Citizenship Ceremony and Institute for Canadian Citizenship Roundtable
On December 14th the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) held a roundtable discussion in conjunction with a citizenship ceremony at City Hall.
The ICC’s community citizenship ceremonies celebrate Canada’s newest citizens and offer unique opportunities to reflect on being Canadian.
The informal conversation focused on what it means to be an active, engaged citizen with a group of 8-10 new citizens and their guests, and was a great way to connect and share stories on this special occasion.
Click here for more information on ICC's community citizenship ceremonies
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Seeking Expressions of Interest for LIP Partnership Council
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Early in the new year St. John's LIP is looking to fill two member-at-large vacancies on the LIP Partnership Council.
Partnership Council members are expected to:
- Contribute to a more informed body of knowledge about immigration through personal and/or professional experience
- Educate community about immigrant issues
- Provide input to Council regarding strategic priorities and issues
Specifically we hope to encourage those who themselves identify as an immigrants to considering applying to join this group.
We are also looking additional volunteers for our four working groups on an ongoing basis: 1) Health and Basic Needs, 2) Employment and Labour Needs, 3) Welcoming Communities and Social Connections, and 4) Education and Training.
If you are interested in becoming involved with the LIP, please contact Jessica Barry at
[email protected]'s.ca
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City of St. John's Affordable Housing Survey
Affordable housing impacts everyone, but is an especially important consideration for new Canadians in the city.
Residents of the City of St. John's are encouraged to take the Affordable Housing Survey available online until December 16.
The purpose of the confidential survey is to collect information from citizens about their opinions on the topic of affordable housing and neighbourhoods. The survey will take approximately five minutes to complete and results are being collected by an external agency.
Information collected will be used to inform the City’s Affordable Housing Business Plan and communication strategy.
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ANC CHILDREN'S PARTY (December 19) - DONATIONS REQUESTED
The ANC would like to sincerely thank everyone who has contributed donations for the Children’s Christmas Party so far. While your generosity will certainly go a long way, we are still seeking donations of
NEW toys for the following age ranges:
• Boys 6-9 (e.g., Legos, Remote-control cars, Race tracks [hot wheels], Board games)
• Boys 10-12 (e.g., Basket balls/soccer balls, Board games, Woodworking sets, Gift cards)
• Girls 6-9 (e.g., Jewellery sets [e.g., for making beaded jewellery] Scarves/accessories, Manicure sets, Coloring/drawing sets/materials, Board games)
• Girls 10-12 (e.g., Painting sets/materials, Board games, Vanity Sets, Cosmetic bags/accessories [no makeup], Gift cards)
Donations can be dropped off at the ANC’s Main Office at 144 Military Road or the ESL Training Centre on Smithville Crescent (next to St. Patrick’s Mercy Home). For more information, please contact Jon at (709) 579-9172 or Marlene at (709) 726-6848
ESL Evening Classes (last class for the semester will be Dec 6- will be resuming classes in January)
The ANC is offering Evening ESL Classes at its ESL Training Centre on Smithville Crescent in St. John's - every Tuesday from 7-9 pm. The classes are available in 4 different levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Pronunciation. For more information, please contact Marlene at (709) 726-6848 or
[email protected]
Volunteer Orientation Session
Volunteer Orientation Session, Tuesday, December 13th from 5:00 - 6:00 pm at the ANC's ESL Training Centre on Smithville Crescent (next to St. Pat's Mercy Home). To register or for more information, please contact Kate at
[email protected] or 722-9680
Mother and Baby Program
The ANC is offering a new Mother and Baby Program every Tuesday for newcomer stay-at-home mothers! If you are a stay-at-home mom and would like to participate in this program, please contact Raya at 722-9680
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ChillFest 2017: St. John's Winter Festival
On February 17, 18 & 19, 2017, the City of St. John's has planned 3 days of FREE action packed winter events. Check our website and social media feeds in mid-January as more details become available, but some of what’s on offer includes...
Sweet Heart Skate, the Loop, Bannerman Park
Snow Play & Sliding Party, Bowring Park
All Ages Kitchen Party, Johnson Geo Centre
Disco DJ Skating Party, The Loop
Chilly Fun Walk/Run, Bowring Park
Kids MegaPlay, Paul Reynolds Centre
Free Ski & Snowshoe Rentals, Pippy Park
Torchlite/ Lantern Parade, Bowring Park
For more information, check back on the CSJ website
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St. John’s Board of Trade Connector Program
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The St. John’s Connector Program is an effective networking program that helps local businesses and organizations connect with immigrants, international students and graduates who are interested in starting and growing their career in St. John’s.Through one-on-one meetings, local business and community leaders known as Connectors meet with talent interested in opportunities in St. John’s. The Connector gains access to a wealth of diverse, pre-qualified talent and Connectees gain insight into their professional network, and connect with career opportunities.
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Looking for Interested Candidates: Graduate Studies in the Migration Field
The Department of Geography at Memorial University is seeking 1 MA student for a cross-national research project comparing local immigration practices in mid-sized North American cities. This is a fully funded position, starting in September 2017. The MA will be part of the department’s newly founded urban geography research lab on Adaptive Cities and Engagement (www.munacespace.com). Interested candidates should email Yolande Pottie-Sherman at
[email protected]. Applications are due January 15th, 2017.
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Refugee Student Integration: Building Welcoming Communities and Schools for a Sustainable Future
Dr Xuemei Li is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at Memorial University. On December 12th her and her research team held a focus group with educators, community-based agency staff, and newcomer students. Suggested learning activities for teacher and counsellor professional development courses were shared with participants, including the legal framework for supporting newcomer children and youth, strategies to help traumatized students through difficulties, approaches to help newcomer students in academic adjustment and social integration, and the methods of establishing positive parent-teacher relationships to help newcomer youth. Additional resources for supporting newcomer students were also recommended by participants, including building community connections, improving teachers’ cultural awareness and competence, diversifying teachers’ teaching approaches, developing appropriate tests and assessments for newcomer students, and enhancing teachers’ knowledge of second language acquisition and psychological assessment. The final report will be shared with the public and the administration.
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Submit Your Events and Get Involved
Do you have an upcoming event the community should know about? Would you like us to highlight a successful program or initiative? Get in touch if you wish to have your organization's work included in the newsletter.
The St. John’s LIP also has many opportunities for you to get involved. The LIP is comprised of over 80 volunteers who participate through involvement on the Partnership Council or on one of the four working groups.
Contact Jessica Barry, LIP Project Officer, for more information at [email protected]'s.ca
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