St. John's LIP Newsletter: October 2020
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The St. John’s Local Immigration Partnership is a broad-based partnership designed to support the well-being and participation of newcomers in all aspects of life in the city, as well as to strengthen the city’s ability to integrate newcomer needs into municipal planning processes. The St. John’s LIP is co-led by the City of St. John’s and the Association for New Canadians and funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
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In this Newsletter:
You will notice that there will be more links than usual, if bolded or in colour, it often means they are active and meant to be clicked. Given things are constantly evolving in our Post Pandemic response to COVID-19, please be aware that workshops and webinars will, too.
#communitymatters #createcollaboratecare
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Carte de service "Mon nouveau St. John's" - Disponible
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The St. John’s Local Immigration Partnership is pleased to promote their interactive, online and mobile-friendly services map to help newcomers easily find and access existing programs and services in both official languages.
With the support of La Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador and made possible through financial support from the City of St. John's, the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
Let us know if there's anything else you would like to see
added/edited - our site is currently undergoing some updates - so here's your chance to add your ideas!
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Partners: News and Updates
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Skills Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Introduction:
SCNL is a non-profit organization that encourages people to explore the growing opportunities in skilled trades and technology careers by offering an immersive approach to learning.
We run various programs that help individuals discover and develop the skills that will help them pursue successful careers in NL.
Hey all Junior High School Students, Newfoundland and Labrador Junior High Schools and Parents/Guardians- Check out SCNL’s Big Fall Announcement:
Registration is now open for the 18th Annual Skills Canada Intermediate Challenge (SCIC) and we are thrilled to announce 9 virtual competition areas that students grade 7-9 in all parts of the province can compete in!
Competitions for SCIC include: Job Skill Demonstration, Job Search, Graphic Design, Photography, TV/Video Production, Public Speaking, The Pitch, Workplace Safety, and in partnership with the FIRST Lego ® a Robotics challenge.
SCIC will be taking place over the course of National Skilled Trades and Technology Week (November 1-8, 2020), and we invite all intermediate students to showcase their skills in our virtual competition space.
AND This year, we are waiving all registration fees and we encourage you to enlist your skilled students in SCNL's very first virtual intermediate challenge. Space is limited! Sign up early today.
We would love for you to check out our website for more information on SCNL: https://skillscanadanl.ca/
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Introducing Another New Partner!
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Essential Skills with ABC Life Literacy Canada
1. Support your community through this new financial landscape
As part of our Activate Learning program, Money Matters is an excellent foundation for a holistic approach to supporting your community in so many different ways! Ask me how, or sign up here!
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October 8: Looking for family literacy materials? Learn about our HSBC Family Literacy First program. Sign up here.
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October 15: Join us for roundtable discussion with the winners of this year's Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award. Sign up here.
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Autumn is here which shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.
We all are experiencing challenges in living through pandemic. COVID has created different needs; people who had not struggled before are finding themselves struggling with anxiety, depression, challenges to find jobs and other issues.
We like to thank participants who participated in our recent project activity to share “Life During the Pandemic for Immigrants and Newcomers:
A collection of personal stories (funded by the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, Govt of NL). The stories described how members/participants are combating loneliness and social isolation during the pandemic. We will share it with our funders and in our social media (with permission) when the document will be ready.
As a support organization, MWONL provides a strong support system in pandemic times. MWONL would like to thank our core funder:
the Office of the Status of Women, Govt of NL for their financial support and cooperation.
Also, the multi-year funding from Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) from the federal government is a great help for the capacity building of MWONL that will help to make MWONL a sustainable organization. Thanks to the funders and everyone involved.
Please see the following MWONL Monthly Activity Calendar
October 2020:
Wednesday, October 7,11:00 am - 12:00 pm
(Offered via Zoom online and onsite at the MWONL Office)
Art class for adults, Instructor: Shobhana Sariya
Tuesday, October 13th 12:00pm-1:00pm
CHLF: Yoga for Adults and Seniors
Facilitator: Rita Lester
Wednesday, October 14, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
“Know Your Rights & Community Supports:
Sexual Violence & the Law”
Violence Prevention Speaker Series
Facilitator: Janet Lee, Legal Support Navigator
The Journey Project
Tuesday, October 20th 12:00pm-1:00pm
CHLF: Drawing Class for adults and seniors
Facilitator: Shobhana Sariya
Thursday, October 22nd, 12:00pm-1:00pm
Healthy Cooking for Adults and Seniors
Instructor: Carolyn Jerrett (Registered Dietitian, Sobeys)
Wednesday, October 28, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Our Health & Wellness Program:Twin Hearts Meditation
Facilitator: Ritesh Menon
Thursday, October 29 11:00am-12:00pm
Offered via Zoom online and onsite at the MWONL Office
English Conversation Café
(new)
Facilitator: Volunteers
Thursdays, October. 1, 8, 22, 10 am - 12 pm
Virtual and/on-site Counselling
Offered by: Kaberi Sarma-Debnath, RSW, Executive Director, MWONL
In addition, to our regular activities, we have started our monthly “English Conversation Café”
To register for all activities, please contact mwonl.outreach1982@gmail.com or call/text 709-749 5458. For more information, please contact mwonl2019@gmail.com. For appointments for virtual/onsite counseling, please email kaberi.debnath@gmail.com
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Association for New Canadians
ANC Women’s Sewing Group
The Women's sewing group is a bi-weekly event that is offered on Wednesday evenings and/or Friday mornings. This group teaches basic sewing skills and provides women with the outlet to come learn, network, and create! Women are given access to a sewing machine as well as a variety of fabrics to use during the session. During our first session, women made 2-3 reusable fabric masks!
If you are interested in joining please call 722-9680 to speak with Community Connections Coordinator Kathryn, or email her at kholloway@ancnl.ca
New radio program/podcast
Launching in October, Global Frequencies is a project of the Association for New Canadians and CHMR-FM, with funding from the Community Radio Fund of Canada.
The program will air on CHMR and be available as a podcast. It will feature stories of newcomers and special guests, focusing on immigration, multiculturalism, and economic and cultural diversification.
Hiring is currently underway; the project is looking for two individuals, ideally with lived experience as a newcomer, as Global Frequencies’ host and reporter, as interns and one executive producer.
Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, October 2: more information is available here. (Link to https://www.ancnl.ca/careers/)
Football (soccer) for newcomers
Friday afternoons, when weather permits, join the ANC at Churchill Square for a few hours of “the beautiful game.” We’re on the field from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome, but please register in advance so we can let you know about changes to the schedule: https://forms.gle/1pACvUMJDPjPSFHK8
Credential recognition
A program accessible through the Association for New Canadians is designed to address the financial barriers newcomers encounter getting their workplace credentials recognized. The Atlantic Immigrant Career Loan Fund is a community-based micro-loan program that assists internationally trained immigrants in Atlantic Canada overcome those financial barriers so they can practice and/or enter the workforce in their field or a related field. For information on the AICLF, contact AXIS, the ANC’s employment and careers division, at 709-579-1780 or axis@nfld.net.
Anti-Racism Training
Hundreds of people signed up for the ANC’s anti-racism training in scheduled online sessions in June. This same training is available for your organization’s employees or members – and best of all, there is no charge to you! Email diversity@ancnl.ca to book a session or to inquire about the various training options.
Supports for Atlantic Immigration Pilot
The ANC continues to offer Atlantic Immigration Pilot program supports at no charge to both employers and employees. Employers interested in learning more about the AIP program can contact Zack Noel, the ANC’s AIP Officer, at 709-552-2262 or znoel@ancnl.ca. Endorsed employees who are permanent residents can contact Sonia Krajewska at skrajewska@ancnl.ca
CELPIP and CAEL testing
CELPIP and CAEL testing have resumed at the ANC’s ESL Training Centre. To register, go to www.celpip.ca or www.cael.ca.
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The Francophone Economic Development Network (RDÉE TNL) has responded to the recent global transition to virtual platforms and COVID-19 restrictions by successfully hosting Virtual Job Fairs via videoconferencing. This format allows several job candidates to interact with employers in private discussions about their business and job openings. We partner with organizations such as AXIS Career Services, Connector NL, and the St. John’s Board of Trade to successfully meet the hiring needs of employers by connecting them to qualified candidates with corresponding profiles.
Eligible job candidates who attend:
- Are legally entitled to work in Canada
- Are looking for work in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Meet the hiring requirements of the employer
for more information. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Start your basic Spanish classes, advance your communication skills and practice your Spanish with a native speaker.
In October we offer Spanish classes, one on one.
We adjust to your schedule.
For more information contact:
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Camp Eclipse Applications Open
Planned Parenthood NL in partnership with YWCA St. John’s is delivering Camp Eclipse: OUT in the City, a weekend day camp for two-spirit, lesbian, bisexual, gay, trans, asexual, intersex and queer (2SLBGTQIA+) youth. This leadership retreat provides youth with a safer space to learn valuable leadership skills, find support in each other, and develop a sense of belonging and healthy sense of self.
This year, camp is being offered from October 23rd-25th in a limited capacity due to COVID-19. As such, we will be prioritizing space for our youth participants (Campers and Youth Leaders, ages 16-24). For more information on this year’s Camp Eclipse, click here. To apply as a camper or youth leader, click here. Applications are due October 2nd.
YWCA is Seeking 2SLGBTQIA+ Newcomers for Project Advisory Committee
YWCA St. John’s is currently seeking two-spirit, lesbian, bisexual, gay, trans, asexual, intersex, and/or queer (2SLGBTQIA+) newcomers to participate in our Project Advisory Committee regarding a new project “Fostering Collaboration of Services for 2SLGBTQIA+ Newcomers in Newfoundland and Labrador”. Members will assist in program development, identify barriers and gaps in service, and share their experiences to inform and guide the project. Members will receive an honorarium (payment) for participating, and various support services can be provided if needed (i.e. transportation, access to technology, translation, etc.).
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My Voice Counts: Youth perspectives on how the global pandemic has impacted gender and climate change in their communities.
My Voice Counts is an interactive workshop that provides youth with an opportunity to explore how the global pandemic has impacted gender and climate change. The workshop will focus on discussion among peers to explore trends (positives and challenges) that have emerged from our current, and ever-changing, pandemic reality. Through thought provoking activities youth will learn more about Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 13 (Climate Action) and will create messages that express the importance of the youth voice being present at decision making tables.
If you have a group of 10-15 youth, between the ages of 15-21, who would benefit from and/or are interested in a workshop on social justice, the Sustainable Development Goals, Gender Equality and Climate Change please contact Jackie (902.431.2311/jackie@acic-caci.org) for more information on how to book a workshop for your group.
Details: The workshop is approximately 3 hours and can be held virtually or in person as long as safe, physical distancing measures can be maintained. If held in person ACIC will cover the costs of a room rental and catering. Workshop can be help anytime (evenings and weekends included) between September 25th, 2020 and March 25th, 2021.
For more information about ACIC click here and for more information about the My Voice Counts workshop click here.
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Sharing Our Cultures Inc. has two exciting new projects!
Are you looking for learning resources on multiculturalism, the value of cultural diversity, or community engagement by individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds residing in our province?
COMING SOON! Sharing Our Cultures™ on Rogers tv. Watch this engaging television program for stories by amazing individuals from around the world who make significant contributions to the social, cultural, and economic development of Newfoundland and Labrador.
This weekly Rogers tv program starts on
Thursday, October 8, at 8 pm.
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Community Garden Support Program Accepting Early Applications with No Deadline
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Funding applications for the 2020-21 Community Garden Support Program are now available to help eligible municipalities and community groups establish and enhance new and existing community gardens. There is no application deadline until further notice.
As part of the $2.25-million Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program, the Provincial Government will invest $100,000 into the Community Garden Support Program. Last year the program funded 101 projects to help establish 23 new community gardens and enhance 78 existing community gardens.
Applicants reported that more than 3,500 people participated in and benefited from the community gardens including youth, seniors, and Indigenous groups. More details are available in the backgrounder below and online here.
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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 or event included in our newsletter. We send out a monthly newsletter, so please send your November updates by October 28, 2020!
The St. John’s LIP also has many opportunities for you to get involved. It is comprised of over 60 volunteers who participate through involvement on the Partnership Council or on one of our three working groups: Welcoming + Wellness, Employment + Skilled Labour, and Education + Training - we welcome your passion in one of these areas to help us uplift and empower our newcomer community.
Follow us on Twitter @StJohnsLIP - tweets organized by Communications Dept of The City of St. John's - communications@stjohns.ca
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