When refugees or newcomers arrive in Canada, they are often deluged with unfamiliar languages, systems, people and processes. An approach which recognizes the many sources of anxiety for a newcomer, and helps to address each, is essential.
Needs Assessment and Referrals: Every newcomer’s needs are assessed, and appropriate referrals are made to access services. The referrals are made to internal and external institutional bodies to work towards those needs.
Employment Needs: With every newcomer family, the Economic Planning Board and partner agencies look to provide services that directly equip clients with employment-related skills and support in accessing the labour market. These include employment bridging initiatives, employment-related mentoring and networking, and employment and credential assessment counselling, skills development and training. There has also been a strong demand for credential assessments for many that have skilled experiences or previous educational backgrounds.
Social Integration of the Community: The regional Settlement teams have emphasized the need for the social integration of the newcomers. This has been heavily supported internally within the Ismaili Muslim community and the teams have also looked to provide links to external services that help to connect clients with the broader community, public institutions, and community organizations. These services also provide opportunities for partners, volunteers, and local community members to be actively engaged in settlement programming.
Mental and Physical Health Needs: Some regional teams have recently hosted information sessions for newcomers to provide awareness around the different supports that are available through the health care system. Referrals have been made to contacts within the network of Ismaili Physicians to expedite supports for urgent cases. Referrals are also made to partnering agencies for Mental health supports where a need is identified.
Financial Supports: During their Settlement, there is a portion of the newcomers that face financial hardships or require temporary financial subsidies to stabilize their economic situation. The aim is to enable self-agency and self-dependence but some newcomers face challenges that are beyond their means and the institutions step in and fill that gap.
Settlement Agency Referrals and Supports: Newcomer(s) is referred to External Settlement agencies to access the information and guidance they need in order to settle in their community, to prepare their entry into the Canadian labour market and to become active Canadian citizens.