Community News from the RRLIP Project | |
Hello Regina Community Members!
The Regina Region Local Immigration Partnership (RRLIP Project) strengthens and supports the community’s efforts to welcome, settle and integrate newcomers. In the last Newcomer Survey, we learned that many people do not know about programs in the community and/or how to access them.
The goal of these regular emails is to increase awareness of and access to relevant programs, services and events that enhance and support newcomer settlement in Regina.
We want to hear from you! Please let us know about upcoming community activities, programming, trainings, etc. Also, we'd appreciate feedback about the newsletters. Contact [email protected]
For past Community News issues, click here
***THIS IS THE LAST ISSUE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!***
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SURVEY FOR ANYONE WHO HAS EVER BEEN A NEWCOMER - EXTENDED TO FEB. 19/2024!
One of the RRLIP's local priorities, outlined in the RRLIP's Action Plan, is Mental and Emotional Wellness.
The survey is short - it takes an average of 10-12 minutes - and addresses what participants have experienced both before and after coming to Canada, as well as asking them to provide their feedback about what supports work, what they would like to see in supports, as well as preferred ways of delivering them. It asks about topics of concern, and how to best get information out to the community in a culturally-sensitive way. This is an opportunity for participants to voice concerns, suggestions, and ideas totally anonymously. We know that needs change during the settlement journey, so are hoping to get a wide range of responses.
We will be sharing the results with the service-providing organizations and the community, so this feedback can be considered in future planning.
PLEASE share this widely with anyone who is eligible.
The Survey date is now Feb 19, 2024!
Survey link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6QFWCYK
Contact Janell: [email protected] for more information
RRLIP Project Resource Page
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CITY OF REGINA - NEW NEWSLETTER
The City of Regina’s Community Inclusion & Recreation Programs Unit has started a new newsletter, called “Access Leisure Regina”, to help keep the community informed about news, programs, and services related to Inclusion and Accessibility with the City of Regina. The newsletter will go out via email 6 times per year.
To subscribe, click the following link: https://www.regina.ca/about-regina/reminders-notifications/email-updates/index.html
You will need to add your email address, select the box stating “I’d like to receive email communications” and then select the “Adapted and Inclusive Programming” newsletter.
Other newsletters you can request include:
- Building and Development
- Cultural Plan
- Dewdney Corridor Project
- Energy and Sustainability Framework
- Housing Strategy
- Legacy Review
- Leisure Guide
- Neighbourhood Plans
- Official Community Plan (OCP)
- Railyard Renewal Project
- Rapid Housing Initiative: Home Fire Complex
- Rapid Housing Initiative: New Project
- Regina Zoning Bylaw
- Wascana Pool Renewal Project
More Information
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SGAP open for applications for grassroots and innovative initiatives
The Small Grant Accessibility Program (SGAP) is open for applications until December 20. SGAP aims to provide support to grassroots, unique and innovative cultural initiatives that respond to emergent needs or changes in the cultural sector, and create access and pathway for first-time and under-served applicants.
This grant has a maximum grant request of $2,000 and is intended for small-scale initiatives.
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The SGAP objectives are to:
- support new or underserved organizations that have never been awarded a SaskCulture grant;
- support grassroots, unique and innovative cultural initiatives;
- respond to emergent needs, time-sensitive opportunities or changes in the cultural sector;
- encourage youth-led cultural initiatives and leadership opportunities for young cultural leaders;
- support and strengthen communities through cultural activities in Saskatchewan, at the individual, group, and community level; and
- support the development and capacity of cultural organizations through professional development courses.
Read this article from the 2022 Annual Report to learn about PRIMORG Foundation's first event, funded by SGAP: New funding program supports emerging group.
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ETHNOCULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS STUDY
Shibao Guo, a Professor at the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary is currently conducting a research project entitled “Evaluating the Capacity and Effectiveness of Ethno-cultural Organizations in Immigrant Settlement and Integration in the Prairie Provinces: Opportunities, Challenges and Impacts.”
This project focuses on the capacity and effectiveness of ethno-cultural organizations in immigrant settlement and integration in the Prairie Provinces -Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It has been approved by the University of Calgary Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board and funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The online survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete.
Please find the survey link below:
https://survey.ucalgary.ca/jfe/form/SV_06SMhRy0E56BEou
For more information about the project and an opportunity for a follow-up interview with honorarium, please view the recruitment letter here.
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DID YOU KNOW? SASK LOANS FORGIVENESS PROGRAM
The Saskatchewan Loan Forgiveness for nurses and nurse practitioners program is expanding to five mid-sized communities. The newly eligible communities are Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Yorkton and The Battlefords.
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NEW SASKATCHEWAN EMPLOYMENT INCENTIVE STARTING IN THE NEW YEAR - FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES
A new initiative from Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Social Services is aiming to make life more affordable for low-income families across the province.
The ministry said its new Saskatchewan Employment Incentive will launch “early in the new year” to provide financial benefits, supplementary health benefits, employment connections and housing support.
The ministry said the incentive will be available for parents who are leaving income-assistance programs for the workforce, and those who are trying to remain in the workforce.
The new incentive, which was unveiled in the throne speech, is designed to make employment more viable than relying on income assistance programs for low-earning families and parents.
“Working parents who have employment income of $500 per month may be eligible for a monthly benefit of $400, $500 or $600, depending on the number of children they have,” the ministry explained in a statement.
The new program will replace both the Saskatchewan Employment Supplement and Child Care Subsidy, and the ministry said it will support eligible clients as they transition to the new system in the year ahead.
Read the complete article here
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FOREVER...IN MOTION !
Forever...In Motion helps older adults become physically active in their community through volunteer, peer or staff led physical activity groups.
The initiative was developed by the Saskatchewan Health Authority and is delivered in communities across the province by the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association.
Your organization can become a FIM site, or get leadership training for your community. There is a grant available from Sk. Parks and Recreation Association.
Detailed grant brochure and link to the Grant Application portal here: https://www.spra.sk.ca/funding/ourgrants/.
Communities with Active SPRA Membership will be eligible to apply for up to $2,000 in support of a new or existing program. Eligible expenses include for training, purchasing equipment, renting facilities and more.
FIM Newsletter
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NEW SERVICE - SUICIDE CRISIS HELPLINE - 9-8-8
Canada's new suicide crisis helpline started taking calls Nov 30.
People in Canada can call and text 9-8-8, a three-digit number for suicide prevention, giving people experiencing thoughts of suicide, or people worried about someone else, an accessible and easy number to call when they need urgent help.
CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) is leading and coordinating the national rollout of 9-8-8, which is available in English and French, 24/7, 365 days a year - to any person living in Canada.
See a news article here - interview/spoken information
CBC News article - with more information (written)
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SETTLEMENT FAIR 2023
December 7th at 10 am
Old Municipal Justice Building
1770 Halifax Street
Please share this information with anyone from your community.
What to Expect:
- Get your settlement-related questions answered.
- Get information about government services and benefits, immigration programs, and more.
- Connect with various government and community service providers.
- Get direct service on location, such as:
- Applying for SIN number
- Filing income tax return
- Reviewing applications (e.g. child benefits, GST/HST credit, etc.)
Who is this event for?
- Newcomers to Canada (Immigrants and Refugees) who are new to Regina and Canada.
- Anyone seeking settlement support.
- Newcomers who want information on how to sponsor their family to Canada.
Attending Agencies Include
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
- Saskatchewan Immigration Services (SINP)
- Saskatchewan Career Services
- Service Canada
- Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI)
- Regina Police Service
- Regina Fire & Protective Services
- Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP)
- and other organizations!
Please visit the website to learn more: Settlement Fair 2023 – One Stop Shop « Events « Regina Open Door Society (RODS)
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SELF-CARE FOR HELPERS
3 Steps to Proactive Self-Care for Helpers - Read Vicki Enn’s blog
We’ve all been told that it’s important to care for ourselves, especially if we are caring for others, but how? Is there a way to transform our work into a form of self-care?
CTRI has regular Blogs, free monthly webinars, Podcasts and many resources available to those supporting persons who have experienced crisis and trauma.
Podcast: Episode 17:
Illustrating Vicarious Trauma - The Importance of Art and Play
Vicki Enns and Rebecca Bloom explore vicarious trauma and why it’s gotten more intense for helpers since the pandemic.
Rebecca delves into her book, Vicarious Trauma Illustrated, to provide a process for curiosity, reflection, awareness, and discovery about our own experiences of vicarious trauma. She also reminds us that our way out of stress and overwhelm is to dance and play with each other.
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Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) SPARK Program for Organizations
The Child and Youth Refugee Research Coalition would like to share an exciting new program from the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). In 2021, CYRRC partnered with MHCC to host a knowledge mobilization training session on refugee child, youth, and family settlement. Many amazing projects - including our podcast mini-series The Refuge: Policy Matters - were supported by that SPARK session. MHCC is now offering these group training and partnership opportunities to mental health organizations.
The MHCC’s SPARK Knowledge Translation ProgramTM (SPARK) specializes in giving individuals and teams the skills needed to effectively implement knowledge, and we are now offering group training and partnership opportunities for organizations! Through group training, we will work directly with your staff to build their knowledge translation (KT) skills, or alternatively, you can partner with us to co-host a SPARK workshop for your network focusing on a specific mental health or substance use health topic.
SPARK is beneficial for those looking to:
- Improve how they complete KT
- Implement a standard, policy, or program
- Spread or scale a standard, policy, or program
- Empower and enable others in their field to effectively implement knowledge.
By working with SPARK, organizations can become leaders for meaningful KT. Your networks and staff will gain skills that lead to stronger collaboration, higher engagement, and greater change for your organization and the mental health system.
Information sheet with more details
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December 7: Campus Conversations Webinar on Community-Engaged Learning and Well-Being
Community-engaged learning (CEL) can help bolster students' mental health and overall well-being. However, CEL is not accessible to many students for a range of intersectional reasons, and the experience can be distressing when students encounter systemic inequalities and the 'wicked' problems of contemporary society.
December 7 at 1:00 ET as Dr. Sandra Smeltzer, Associate Professor in Information and Media Studies at Western University, considers how we can better support student experiences as they engage collaboratively with community partners for mutually beneficial outcomes.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
Holiday Season Events: check out these information sources:
Chatterblock Team - many family-friendly events
Tourism Regina - many free/low-cost, family-friendly events and activities
One Stop YQR - activities, events, camps, etc.
Regina Downtown - information, events and activities
RCMP Heritage Centre Family Activities - Free
Starting from November 27 through December 21, free holiday fun in the theatre and lobby. Every week, there will be a new holiday movie and activity for you to enjoy. You can participate in the activity anytime between 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, and the movie will be shown every day at 1:00 pm.
Light the Lights - Free City of Regina Event
Tuesday, December 5
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Courtyard in front of City Hall 2476 Victoria Ave
Horse drawn wagons, indoor and outdoor activities, hot chocolate, local entertainment
2023 CPKC Holiday Train raises money, food and awareness for the important work that food banks do in their communities.
Professional musicians play free concerts from the brightly decorated train's stage. CPKC makes a donation to the local food shelf at each stop and encourages attendees to also donate.
Dec 18, 2023
Arrival Time 5:45 pm Event 6:00 - 6:30 pm
Mosaic Stadium parking lot - along North Railway Street
COMMUNITY CHANUKAH CELEBRATION at the LEGISLATURE! - Free
Monday, December 23
6:00 - 8:00pm
At the Legislative Building, 2405 Legislative Drive
20 ft. menorah, children's activities, latkes & doughnuts, greetings from dignitaries, Dreidel Men, lively music
Free admission, main program indoors
More info: 306-585-1359, [email protected]
_____________________________________________________________________________________Employment Training program “Experience Counts” that target people 55+.
Currently the career training program is in partnership with the Ministry of Immigration and includes wrap around supports to assist people in reconnecting with the labour market. It is 8 weeks on Sask Polytech campus doing various trainings and includes a work placement opportunity. There is no cost. Intake is twice a year (15 people each in the fall and in March). CLB 6 required.
Program information
Please call 306-775-7467 or email [email protected]. to apply for this program.
Ask about a program for those with a lower CLB level, as there MAY be one available.
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The RRLIP has many free resources about Regina, which can be found under the Resources Tab on the Home page. Please feel free to use them, and share them. They are for you!
You can also sign up for the NewsBlog (at the bottom of the RRLIP home page), for regular emails about topics of interest to newcomers and those supporting newcomers in Regina.
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