Date post: | 15-Dec-2014 |
Category: |
Business |
Upload: | ocasiconference |
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Transition to Welcoming Communities
Presented and designed by:Marilena Benak
Ice Breaker Exercise
• This is an exercise that will give us a better understanding of the audience and the organizations they are representing.
Strengths Of Our Services
• Flexible and individual oriented
• Time effective
• Cost effective (use of volunteers)• Open to changes in environment and other
external influences (1)
• Easy to remodel and adapt
• Easy to deliver outside the main office
What We Want To Continue To Do Well
• Building staff-client relationships
• Establishing community connections
• Engaging external resources
• Providing external referrals
• Being mindful in adapting to clients’ needs
Adding To What We Already Do• Activities focused on:
Age group segments (children, seniors) Gender interests (women, men) Professional goals (mentoring) Volunteering initiatives (create opportunities, create
connections) Civic participation interests (leadership training)
• Customized initiatives: Neighbourhood needs (language, faith, status) Local issues (economic trends, transportation) (1)
Immediate needs for specific groups (massive refugee inflow from one particular country) (2)
The New Model;Our Role In The Framework
The active participation of Service Providers in creating a diverse society that promotes linguistic duality and social inclusion
• Promotion of cultural understanding
• Community development and capacity building
• Participation in community and civic life
• Fulfilling the immediate needs of immigrant clients and helping with their long-term goals
(CIC website)
The Modernized Approach: From A Suite Of Programs To
One Integrated Program
• Orientation
• Language Skills
• Access to The Labour Market
• Welcoming Communities
• Policies and Program Development
Start Your New Service Delivery Diagram
• Welcoming and Initial Assessment, including short orientation and referrals to language assessment
• Needs Assessment and Design the Case Management (Service Pathway)
• Referral to support services and follow up
• Outcome Measurement evaluation
• Report to the organizational level
The Impact Of The Modernized Approach
• Provide integrated services based on defined results communicated by newcomers
• Retrain the staff and revise their duties to fit the new delivery model
• Define the type of services provided outside your main office
• Create the proper environment to deliver the available posted services
• Document all the services provided
The Desired Results
• Clients can make informed decisions based on the comprehensive information
• Clients have an understanding of social and legal rights and know how to access resources
• Clients have the official language skills to function in Canadian society
• Clients have the skills – life skills to function in Canadian society
The Desired Results (cont’d)
• Clients have knowledge of the Canadian Labour Market and Workplace Culture
• Clients have the skills to apply for employment
• Clients are connected in the community and actively participate in diverse social networks
Tools For The Modernized Approach
• One door intake process in a computerized version
• Database accessible to all staff engaged in supporting client through their individualized service pathway
• Effective use of volunteers
The Welcoming Community
• Strong desire to receive newcomers and create a “feel at home” environment
• Ensure that newcomers are able to participate fully in the community life
• Access to a full range of programs and meaningful employment
Continuing To Build Welcoming Communities
• Include “Creating Welcoming Communities” in your long term outcome measurement
• Measure the impact of your services in a professional manner utilizing a variety of tools and means
• Communicate the results of your assessments to others
• Celebrate your successes and spread the good news
Advance A Critical Team Approach For Building Support
• Get a wider perspective on how to attract more clients through community consultations and local research
• Identify champions to promote your cause (1)
• Create meaningful Partnerships
• Use advanced tools for building your reputation (media, employers of choice)
Strategies For Building Support
• Make a list of the immigrant population’s challenges in your community
• Do a SWOT analysis of your organization (1)
• Set objectives and practical goals (2)
• Share consensus with your partners and collaborators
• Involve stakeholders from various sectors and create new collaborations (4)
The Welcoming Community Design Your Service Pathway
• Re-evaluate and reinforce the clients’ needs (1)
• Define with the client the projected success
• Design and implement your activities based on the desired result
• Identify and record the outcomes in the preferred format
• Evaluate your work; the outcomes should be reflected in your evaluation
Expected Outcomes• Create social inclusion
forge new friendships connect with professional counterpartsexposure to and engagement with community
organizations for civic participation
• Increase your English ability
• Learn about ethics and cultural values in Canadian society and the workplace
• Have a sense of safety and security
• Overcome issues by getting a better understanding of Canadian society
Where Can We Expand The Delivery Of Services?
• Schools
• Community Centres
• Libraries
• Heritage Places
• Business Sector
• Municipalities
The Activities That Will Meet The Clients’ Expectations
• Youth related activities:
Learning activities:o learning circleso theatre projectso ambassador groupso leadership activities
Recreational activities:o team sports and competitionso environmental activities
The Activities That Will Meet The Expected Outcomes
• General Activities: Conversation Circles Training, workshops, and presentations
o leadership training for civic inclusiono self esteem workshopso social skillsoanger management
Networking events and focus/support groupso women/man focus groupo grief and loss support group
Factors Affecting Clients’ Connections
• Organization’s reputation
• The need of services provided
• Family ties
• Organization’s marketing strategies
• Awareness of existing community barriers
• Language and culture
• Comfort in service reception (receiving)
Attracting Clients
• Website portal
• Community Resources Guide• Interactive marketing (1)
• Accessibility of services (2)
• Customized services vs. standardized services (3)
• Active presence throughout the community
Client Focus Services
CLIENT
"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failures." Colin Powell
Closure
• Build relationships and share resources (space, time, human capital, etc.)
• Attract new stakeholders
• Create new marketing image and brand your services
• Use all the tools to approach the new model
• Continue to do what you are doing well!
Contact Information
Marilena Benak
(519) 579-9622 ext. 261
KW YMCA Immigrant Services
800 King St W, 3rd Floor
Kitchener, Ontario
N2G 1E8
www.ymcacrosscultural.ca
Thank You