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.
Please share this information widely. Thank you so much!
For past Community News issues, click here
| |
|
NEW RRLIP SURVEY!
Who can do this survey?
- Anyone 15 and older
- Born outside of Canada
- Now living in Regina
It doesn't matter if you just arrived, or if you have lived here for 40 years! We need your input! We want to hear from you!
In the 2022 RRLIP Newcomer survey we heard about some of the challenges people are facing. We hope to gather more information, about Mental and Emotional Wellness challenges, to assist us in understanding how to respond.
Covid affected all of us, and there are still ongoing issues from it, as well as many other changes in life situations.
We will be sharing the survey findings with the broader community, hoping it will impact their efforts to settle and integrate newcomers. Your feedback matters to us!
| |  |
|
We are happy to come to your class or cultural or faith group, etc. to assist!
Or we can meet with you by Zoom, if that is more convenient.
For any questions, or more information, please contact Deborah.
Email deborahs@rrlip.ca or call 306-591-7846.
Thank you in advance for your contribution.
Please share this with as many people as possible who are eligible to participate!
| | |
World Refugee Day Online Event
June 19
12:00 - 4 pm CST - Sask. time
Refuge(E)xpo - A Celebration of Culture and Creativity!
-
organized by Jumpstart Refugee Talent and New Canadians TV Network.
Experience a unique expo featuring refugee businesses, authors, artists, and community organizations supporting newcomers.
Engage in insightful panels with renowned authors like Kim Thuy, Kamal Al-Solaylee, and Samra Habib, as well as inspiring refugee advocates such as Boban Stojanovic, Loly Rico, and Yosief Araya among others.
Register here
| | |
|
WES GATEWAY PROGRAM
Client Information Session
June 27, 2023
12:30 – 1:30 pm.
This World Education Service program assesses the education credentials of individuals displaced due to adverse circumstances in their country and have limited proof of academic achievement.
The program is available to individuals educated in Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Syria, Türkiye, Ukraine and Venezuela.
If you know people from any of these countries who need credential assessment, please click on the poster. See poster here
RODS Employment Services is a referral partner with WES for this program. Please refer interested clients to RODS for further assistance.
Call (306) 352-3521 or email employment@rods.sk.ca
| | |
 | |
CITY of REGINA ACCESSIBILITY SURVEY
Survey closes June 26!
The City of Regina is developing an Accessibility Plan to identify, remove, and prevent barriers to access in City spaces, programs, and services.
Community input will ensure that the Plan reflects the diverse needs of people living, working, and playing in Regina.
Residents can share their experiences with accessibility, including barriers, challenges, and potential solutions. Public input will directly inform the Accessibility Plan, including priorities and actions the City can take to remove barriers to access in areas such as municipal transportation, employment, communication, technology, built environment, and more.
The goals of the Plan include:
- Identifying, removing, and preventing barriers to participation in civic life.
- Strengthening the City’s ongoing commitment to becoming an age-friendly and accessible city.
- Creating a centralized, strategic plan to coordinate accessibility efforts across all City departments.
The City of Regina’s Accessibility Plan will envision a city where everyone - regardless of age, background, or ability - is able to fully join in community life.
If If you haven’t had a chance yet, the City of Regina would love to get your input into the Accessibility Plan – survey closes June 26.
Find out more at: https://beheard.regina.ca/regina-accessibility-plan
| | |
|
FREE WELLBEING COURSE
University of Regina Online Therapy Unit
The Wellbeing Course aims to provide free education and guidance on simple but effective cognitive behavioural techniques for managing depression and/or anxiety. The Course helps people with thoughts, behaviours, and physical symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The Online Therapy Unit recently did a research project to understand and reduce barriers for people from diverse ethnocultural backgrounds accessing the OTU’s Internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (ICBT) Wellbeing course. This research resulted in changes to the course content.
All Wellbeing Courses will help people manage diverse emotions (e.g., anxiety, sadness, loneliness, anger, COVID-19 stress, agricultural stress).
The Courses cover:
- how to monitor and recognize components of emotions (e.g., thoughts, behaviors and physical sensations)
- how to identify, explore and manage negative thoughts
- how to manage physical sensations related to emotions (e.g., deep breathing);
- how to manage unhelpful behaviours related to emotions (e.g., overcoming avoidance)
- how to maintain gains made through the course.
There are also many extra lessons available depending on client time and needs/interests: sleep, communication, assertiveness, problem solving, managing beliefs, mental skills, managing panic, PTSD, worry, grief, and pain.
The Wellbeing course is 8 weeks, 1-3 hrs. per week;
It is free, confidential, with access to a professional. Many participants have noticed positive changes as a result.
To learn more about and/or apply for the Wellbeing Course, use this link: https://onlinetherapyuser.ca/wellbeing-program
Clicking on "Apply Now" will take you to a number of questionnaires to complete as part of the application. Once you've completed this you will then be prompted to schedule a telephone interview to ensure the course will be an appropriate fit. If so, you will be given login credentials for your account.
There are also other courses available, including for Post-Secondary Students; Chronic Conditions, including Chronic Pain; and Public Safety Personel. Each has separate applications.
To watch a video about the OTU’s ICBT program at the UofR:
https://youtu.be/RIgyr2Hv48
|  | |
 | |
WORLD REFUGEE DAY Events June 19 and 20
Celebrate the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
Regina Open Door WRD Website Page
(Click on titles for more information and to register for the Zoom events)
June 19 - The Refugee Experience
CBC’s noon radio show Blue Sky hosts a conversation with refugees in Saskatchewan about their experiences, challenges and triumphs.
Click here to Tune in live.
June 19 - Learn How to Sponsor Refugees
8pm on Zoom
June 19 - Empowering Former Refugees for Financial Independence
6pm: Hybrid - Zoom or in person at 2314 - 11th Ave
June 20 - WRD Recognition Event
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
St. Paul’s Cathedral 1861McIntyre St, Regina,
Presentation of the 2023 newcomer bursary awards followed by entertainment. Information will be provided on World Refugee Day, the plight of refugees and their contributions to Regina.
Join us to celebrate the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
June 20 - Defending Refugee Rights at Home and Around the World
2pm Zoom
June 20 - Resettling and Rebuilding - Stories from Former Refugees in Regina
7:00 pm
Hampton Hub 1221 15th Ave, Regina, SK S4P 0Y8
Join us for a teach-in Tuesday to hear the stories of resettling and rebuilding from former refugees from Syria, Myanmar, and Ukraine.
| | |
 | |
Honouring
WORLD REFUGEE DAY
Free Films
June 22
Main Branch
RPL Film Theatre
2311 - 12th Ave
Drop-In - NO Registration
1:00 pm and 7:00 pm
2 short films about Refugees settling in Canada, followed by an informal audience discussion in small groups.
Light refreshments provided.
19 Days This short documentary follows several refugee families during their first 19 days in Canada, as they navigate an unfamiliar terrain that has suddenly become their home.
Everybody’s Children Monika Delmos's documentary captures a year in the life of two teenage refugees, Joyce and Sallieu, who have left their own countries to make a new life in Ontario. Joyce, 17, left the Democratic Republic of Congo to avoid being forced into prostitution by her family. Sallieu, 16, had witnessed the murder of his mother as a young boy in war-torn Sierra Leone.
Delmos follows them as they bear the normal pressures of being a teenager while simultaneously undergoing the refugee application process. She shows how the guidance and support of a handful of people make a real difference in the day-to-day lives of these children.
In collaboration with RRLIP's Anti-Racism and Discrimination Working Group.
Other Films from RPL in June:
Someone Like Me:
https://www.reginalibrary.ca/film-theatre/browse-films/8632457
Flee:
https://www.reginalibrary.ca/film-theatre/browse-films/8536260
| | |
 | |
National Indigenous Peoples Day
June 21
This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Canadian Constitution recognizes these three groups as Aboriginal peoples, also known as Indigenous peoples.
Although these groups share many similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.
In cooperation with Indigenous organizations, the Government of Canada chose June 21, the summer solstice, for National Aboriginal Day, now known as National Indigenous Peoples Day.
For generations, many Indigenous peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.
MCoS (Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan) has more information on National Indigenous History Month
Regina Celebration: June 21, 2023
10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Victoria Park & Pat Fiacco Plaza, Regina
Event includes:
- Grand Entry at 11 a.m. in Victoria Park
- Indigenous Performers share their traditions and stories through music, dance, and theater
- Family-friendly activities, with a kid's section
- Indigenous crafts at the Regina Farmer's Market
- And much more!
The Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Network (EDIN) invites you immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of National Indigenous Peoples Day as we come together to honor and celebrate the remarkable contributions of Indigenous peoples.
EDIN Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NIPDyqr/?locale2=fr_FR
|  | |
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP ON STEREOTYPES AND RACISM
Join this important discussion about stereotypes of Indigenous peoples and the racism they still face today.
June 22, 2023 11am - 12 pm CST
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation, in partnership with the Woodland Cultural Centre, will be providing a virtual workshop on Anti-Indigenous discrimination, facilitated by culturally-trained Indigenous experts, who will examine how society shapes and perpetuates stereotypes and racism through advertising, cinema, systemic/institutional racism, and more.
| | |
This course fills up quickly! You can get your name on the waiting list for the next one, by clicking the Registration button, and choosing the date you are interested in. | |
FREE! REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
for the Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Online Course
Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), this course provides information, tools and resources for service providers to provide mental health care and support to both immigrants and refugees arriving in Canada.
Date: July 10 - August 21, 2023
For who: Settlement, social and health service providers across Canada (excluding Quebec)*
Location: Online
Duration: 6 weeks
Time commitment: 20-25 hrs.
Cost: Free
| | |
|
CENTRE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION
Youth Suicide Prevention Toolkit
CSP have updated the toolkit on
youth suicide prevention.
The teen years are full of social, psysiological and neurological change. A combination of internal and external stressors is common in adolescence.
The pressures of social media and other forms of digital communication can add stress to the lives of young people - being an adolescent can be difficult. If a young person is also experiencing mental health challenges, it becomes clear why some feel trapped in their current situation and need support to see hope for the future.
This resource is a brief introduction into the topic of youth suicide. It outlines statistics, warning signs for suicide, why younger people (ages 13-19) can be at risk, and how these suicides can be prevented. You can learn how to have a conversation with someone you're worried about.
| |
 | |
South Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre (SSILC)
Supporting Persons with Disabilities
Employment Skills Assessment Workshop
This 3 half-days class based on the Color Spectrums model will assist you to identify your skills and find potential job matches.
Program highlights
Participants will:
- Identify their strengths and skills for the workplace
- Learn what types of job they are suited for
- Learn ways to work productively with different people in a team setting
- Learn how to communicate effectively with others
- Learn how personality style impacts their disability management plan
Eligibility requirements:
Self-management skills necessary to engage in the class.
Program dates/times/location
July 4 to 6, 2023
Mornings from 9:30 – 12:00
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
South Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre (SSILC)
349 Albert Street
How to apply
Contact Meghan Hildred for intake
306-520- 3543 or meghan@ssilc.ca
(Intake will include completing the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training Registration form, action plan, and referral to a SSILC counselor).
https://www.ssilc.ca/
| |
|
REGINA POLICE SERVICE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
In September 2008, the Regina Police Service implemented a Mentorship Program. https://reginapolice.ca/diversity-initiatives/
The mandate of the program is to increase the existing number of diversity employees, both sworn and civilian, within the Regina Police Service.
It provides the Service with an opportunity to coach perspective employees in areas in which they may need to be strengthened. Examples of such areas include but are not limited to: fitness, report writing, and public speaking.
The program provides the candidates with opportunities such as working in the Community Service Centers, attending to community meetings, participating in community and law enforcement projects, firearms and fitness training, and job shadowing. It also benefits candidates by providing them with insight into a career in policing and the Regina Police Service as a perspective employer.
The visibility of this program demonstrates to the community, the Regina Police Service’s commitment to being an Employment Equity Employer and increasing the number of diversity employees within the police service to be more reflective of the community to which it provides a policing service.
For further information contact Human Resources at 306-777-6630.
To apply for the Regina Police Service, check here: https://join.reginapolice.ca
|  | | |
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 home page) |
| | | |
