On Sunday, May 27, hundreds of people gathered at the University of Victoria to walk together for the World Partnership Walk.
The World Partnership Walk started over 30 years ago, when a group of immigrant women in Vancouver wanted to give back to communities they had left behind in Africa and Asia. Since then, it has become Canada's largest event in support of international development and has raised more than $100 million since 1985 to address the root causes of poverty and help unlock a brighter future.
This year's walk coincided with Asian Heritage Celebrations, with an afternoon cultural show featuring dance and music performances.
Photo by Michael Caswell
|
| Alden Habacon: Leadership, Multiculturalism 3.0 and Inclusion |
Submitted by Steven Lorenzo Baileys, Community Development Coordinator
On May 15, the
Community Partnership Network (CPN) hosted a seminar on "Leadership, Multiculturalism 3.0 and Inclusion" with diversity specialist Alden Habacon. Alden, who describes himself as a "Cultural Navigator" who "promises to deliver interactive engagements that are inspirational, applicable, practical and immediate." Alden did not disappoint as he delivered a dynamic and informative session for than 80 CPN members. Topics explored included: understanding cultural bias in our organizations, the evolution of Canadian multiculturalism, and key strategies to promote organizational cultural change. At the end of the seminar, one CPN member commented:
|
|
|
CPN members and participants at Alden Habacon Seminar
|
|
| World Refugee Day: Forced to Flee |
Submitted by Kate Longpre, Community Integration Coordinator
World Refugee Day
will be recognized on June 20, 2018, commemorating the strength, courage, and perseverance of millions of refugees globally. Held annually, World Refugee Day provides an opportunity for the public to show support for individuals and families forced to flee.
According to the United Nation's refugee agency statistics, "One in every 122 humans is now either a refugee, internally displaced, or seeking asylum." Canada has been a key player in responding to the global refugee crisis and continues to play a major leadership role.
In recognition of World Refugee Day, the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) is hosting a series of "Forced to Flee" simulations created by the
Canadian Foodgrains Bank
. During the simulations, participants will work together in "family units," making difficult decisions to maintain their supply of food, money, and health while securing their future post-conflict. The objective of the simulation is to transform thinking and inspire action around conflict, migration, and refugee rights.
Register today for a free Forced to Flee simulation at ICA on World Refugee Day.
|
| ICA and Camosun College dental screening and cleaning clinic for resettled refugee children |
Submitted by Kate Longpre, Community Integration Coordinator
The ICA and Camosun College Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) program hosted their second annual free dental screening and teeth cleaning clinic for resettled refugee children ages 5-18 years on May 2, 2018. More than 40 children attended the clinic to have their teeth screened and cleaned.
ICA would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Camosun College CDA program, the interpreters, and the Wheeler Foundation Fund which covered the cost of the dental services for resettled refugee children who attended the clinic.
|
| CPN Workshop: Leading with Cultual Intelligence |
|
Submitted by Steven Lorenzo Baileys, Community Development Coordinator
|
|
|
CPN Coordinator Steven Baileys (left) with Dr. Nora McRae and Dr. Karima Ramji
|
How is your Cultural Intelligence doing these days? In case you don't know, Cultural Intelligence, also known as "CQ," indicates our capability to relate to and work effectively with others in culturally diverse situations. CQ is a form of intelligence we all have, and it has been tested by academic researchers in more than 98 countries for nearly two decades.
Recently, the
Community Partnership Network (CPN) and ICA partnered with UVic's Co-operative Education Program and Career Services to host a CQ workshop facilitated by Dr. Karima Ramji and Dr. Norah McRae. The dynamic workshop engaged participants, who learned about the four key dimensions of CQ: attitude, knowledge, strategy, action. If we can develop these four dimensions, we improve our ability to have positive interactions in culturally diverse settings.
One key outcome included learning how organizations can effectively engage with staff, clients, and volunteers in a variety of cultural contexts. Participants discussed and explored solutions to real-life scenarios where cross-cultural misunderstanding had occurred using the Cultural Intelligence lens. At the end of the session, employers and organizations learned how to apply CQ as a way to foster tolerance and enhance cross-cultural interactions in our changing community.
|
|
|
Participants at the CQ workshop
|
|
| Spotlight: ICA English classes |
Did you know that there are about 520 students attending English classes at ICA? At certain time of the year, that number can exceeds 700! ICA's English classes are called Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC). To teach all those students, ICA has 22 regular teachers and six casual instructions, plus about 60 volunteer teaching assistants. Altogether, there are 36 English classes, and they range from literacy/low-level beginners all the way to upper intermediate levels.
On May 25, Kate Longpre, ICA's Community Integration Coordinator, talked to Todd Kitzler, ICA's Language Services Manager, about the English programs.
|
ICA summer camps for children and youth
|
Summer fun at ICA means summer camp for youth and children!
Camp Connect: Explorers is a five-day camp for youth ages 10-13. Science experiments, theatre games, local food, and lots more. Monday-Friday, July 16-20, from 9 am - 4 pm.
Applications are required and forms are available from Settlement or Reception. The fee is $100 with a sliding scale available, if needed.
Camp Connect: Adventurers is a four-day camp for children ages 6-9. Science experiments, theatre games, local food, and lots more. Tuesday-Friday, July 3-6, from 9 am - 4 pm.
Applications are required and forms are available from Settlement or Reception. The fee is $80 with a sliding scale available, if needed.
For more information on these ICA summer programs, contact Nabeela Ramji, Settlement Youth Worker, at 250-388-4728 ext. 107 or email [email protected].
|
| ICA Private Sponsorship of Refugees in Numbers |
|
Submitted by Kate Longpre, Community Integration Coordinator
ICA's Private Sponsorship of Refugees program is responsible for resettling Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSRs) and Blended Visa Office-Referred Refugees through community constituent groups. Take a moment to review our newest
infographic
highlighting private sponsorship in the CRD.
ICA will be hosting a BVOR Sponsorship Event on July 21, 2018 - please save the date. More information will be available soon.
|
|
We Speak Translate project recognized at the 2018 Victoria Community Leadership Awards
|
The project utilizes the Google Translate App as a tool for refugee resettlement and integration. Since the project launch in April 2018, over 2,000 community members and stakeholders have received the 45-minute Google Translate training across Canada.
The We Speak Translate collaboration between Google Translate and ICA is the first of its kind globally.
Upcoming We Speak Translate webinar training sessions:
|
| Welcome to ICA: Salma Ihsan |
|
|
 |
| Salma Ihsan |
|
Hello!
My name is Salma Ihsan,
and I'm an undergraduate student at the University of Victoria working towards completing my degree in linguistics and professional communications.
Though I am still relatively new to Victoria, I have grown to love the city and enjoy spending time exploring the beauty around every corner.
My unique cultural background has predisposed me to enjoy learning about different languages and diverse cultures. I currently speak fluent English and Spanish, as well as conversational Italian. I am familiar not only with my Mexican and Pakistani heritage, but also with various European cultures after spending a year travelling through the UK, Italy, Germany, and Holland. I am always excited to meet new people, and I truly believe I learn something new every single day
.
|
|
Featured Workshop: Growing Roots
|
Learn to plant, maintain, and harvest - and then prepare - a garden of locally grown food. Growing Roots participants will work together in the ICA Garden once a week to grow food for their families. Nutritious snacks are included. Registration is required. Participants must be LINC level 3 or higher. To register, email Aly Essa at [email protected] or call 250-388-4728, ext 158.
ICA offers a variety of one-day and multi-day workshops for newcomers. Other upcoming upcoming workshops include Cooking for Newcomers, Citizenship Classes, Employment Workshops, Settlement Orientations, and so much more. Learn more about upcoming workshops.
|
| ICA Diversity Scholarship |
ICA is currently accepting applicants for the 2018 Diversity Scholarship, which recognizes the potential of students to cultivate diversity in the Capital Region.
The Greater Victoria area is growing and now reflects a variety of ethnicities, customs, languages, beliefs, abilities, values, and talents. According to the 2006 census, 19 per cent of Victoria's residents are immigrants born outside of Canada. Nearly nine per cent of Victoria residents are members of a visible minority ethno-cultural group.
"ICA seeks to support the education of culturally sensitive community leaders," says Jean McRae, ICA Chief Executive Officer. "Our scholarship program is an investment in the cultural capital of Greater Victoria."
Each year, ICA awards one $1,000 undergraduate scholarship and one $1,000 graduate scholarship for students in, or accepted into, degree programs at colleges and universities in the Greater Victoria area.
The application deadline is
Tuesday, July 31, 2018.
|
| Stay up to date: Follow ICA on Social Media! |
With so much happening at ICA every day, and so many ICA team members involved in community events and activities, it is hard to keep up!
An important part of feeling like you belong in a community is knowing what is going on and being able to participate in activities that are interesting to you.
ICA can help you stay on top of what is happening in our community - just follow our social media channels!
From Community Partnership Network seminars, ICA events and workshops, We Speak Translate training, and ICA job postings to the latest to news, events, and festivals with a multicultural theme - you'll find it by follow us on:
|
 Did you know?
ICA is a Work BC Employment Services Centre? We have a full suite of services for all your employment needs, including a variety of workshops and programs.
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
What's Happening?
Help for applicants who are preparing for the citizenship test.
Two Fridays per month.
Cooking for Newcomers
Join your friends and learn to make some delicious and healthy food.
June 14, 2018, 12:30 - 2:30 pm
Settlement Orientations in English
Learn important information about Victoria
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Wednesdays, June 6, 13, 20, 27, 2018
Introduction to Recreation Tennis
A free introduction to tennis at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre.
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Camp Connect: Explorers
Five-day camp for youth
ages 10-13. Science experiments, theatre games, local food, and lots more.
Monday-Friday, 9 am - 4 pm
July 16-20, 2018
Camp Connect: Adventurers
Four-day camp for children ages 6-9. Science experiments, theatre games, local food, and lots more.
Tuesday-Friday, 9 am - 4 pm,
July 3-6, 2018
Settlement Orientations in Arabic
Learn important information about Victoria.
12:30 am - 2:30 pm
Wednesdays, June 6, 13, 20, 2018
Learn more...
Job Search for Newcomers
Employment workshops for newcomers.
Tuesdays, 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Thursdays, 9 am - 12 pm
Learn more...
Growing Roots
Learn how to grow food! Plant, maintain, harvest locally grown produce.
2 pm - 4 pm
Mondays, May 28 to September 17, 2018
Homework Club
A safe place for children and youth ages 6 to 18 to do homework.
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Wednesdays, September 2017 - June 2018
The Meet Up
A free weekly program for newcomer teens ages 13 to 19.
4 pm - 7 pm
ICA Employment Services
If you are looking for employment or need to upgrade, ICA's Employment Services Centre can help!
|
|
|
Community Events
|
The City of Victoria Youth Council
Open Space, 510 Fort St
5 pm - 7 pm
Saturday, June 2, 2018
Tickets range from $5 to $20
AfriCa Fest Gala
African themed fashion show, dinner and dance.
White Eagle Hall, 90 Dock Street
Saturday, June 2, 2018
6 pm - 1 am
$20 - $35
Greater Victoria Multicultural Youth and Police Sports Day
Come on out, have fun, and play sports with our local police at the first annual Multicultural Youth and Police Sports Day!
Multicultural Youth ages 5-17 years and their families can participate in this free, fun, family-friendly day of sports and recreational activities.
Free t-shirt for all youth participants and a delicious BBQ lunch for everyone in the family. Police cars and fire trucks onsite to visit and explore.
Please register to ensure enough t-shirts and food for everyone!
Bullen Park, next to Esquimalt Recreation Centre
Saturday, June 9, 2018
10 am - 2 pm
Mabuhay: Celebrating Philippine Cuisine
Bring your friends and family to celebrate Philippine culture with food, songs, dances, games for children, and much more. This is a fundraiser for Philippine Bayanihan Community Centre.
Centennial Square
Saturday, June 16, 2018
10 am - 6 pm
Westshore Indigenous People's Festival
Indigenous music, food, children's activities, artists and information tables.
Westshore Parks & Recreation Lower Fields 1767 Island Hwy in Colwood
Thursday, June 21, 2018
11:00 am - 3:00pm
Free family event.
Victoria Indigenous Cultural Festival
Join the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations in celebrating National Indigenous Day weekend with music, dance, food and the arts.
Royal BC Museum
Thursday, June 21 - Saturday, June 23
Free family event.
National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations
Indigenous people share their culture and stories. Traditional meal will be served.
Cook Street Village Activity Centre, 380 Cook Street.
$15 - tickets (must be purchased by June 19)
Friday ,June 22, 2018
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Rendez-Vous Victoria
Annual Rendez-Vous de la Francophonie! Fun
for the whole family.
Various locations around Victoria, including Market Square, 560 Johnson Street.
Friday, June 22 - Sunday, June 24
|
|
|
