2017 Embracing Diversity Full Report
SRPC’s Newcomer report looks at how newcomers are experiencing our community, the challenges they face in settling here and how we can help make our community a more welcoming place to live.
SRPC’s Newcomer report looks at how newcomers are experiencing our community, the challenges they face in settling here and how we can help make our community a more welcoming place to live.
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Table 5 Key services that support<br />
organizations offer<br />
Direct Service Provider<br />
Location<br />
Business Counselling,<br />
Mentorship, Loan Provision<br />
Settlement &<br />
Integration Services<br />
Education &<br />
Training Programs<br />
Employment Services<br />
Housing Services<br />
Perth County Information Network<br />
(Library system)<br />
Perth<br />
<br />
Huron Business Development<br />
Corporation<br />
Huron<br />
<br />
Huron County Library Huron<br />
<br />
Four County Labour Market Both<br />
<br />
Newcomer Settlement Huron Perth Both<br />
<br />
Huron County Social and<br />
Property Services<br />
Huron<br />
<br />
City of Stratford –<br />
Social Services Department<br />
Perth<br />
<br />
Children’s Services<br />
Innovation in Service Integration<br />
While there are many direct service providers that are accessible to assist newcomers with their<br />
social, cultural and economic needs, more still needs to be done to better integrate newcomers<br />
and reduce feelings of social isolation. Perth and Huron Counties are continuing to offer more<br />
programs and services that are geared toward newcomers. The innovations outlined below help<br />
to build on the existing language classes, employment agencies and social assistance programs<br />
offered by the direct newcomer service providers in the area.<br />
English as a Second Language Programs<br />
As previously mentioned, Perth and Huron Counties have many services that are beneficial to<br />
newcomers. Deciding how to integrate these services seamlessly together presents an opportunity<br />
for innovation. For example, upon arrival in Perth, many access the English as a Second Language<br />
(ESL) program held at The Centre for Employment and Learning. In recent years, in a proactive<br />
effort to attract newcomers, new initiatives have been designed. Given this, the impact of these<br />
ESL classes extends beyond the learners’ improved English into acting as a platform for social<br />
integration. The ESL program effectively introduces newcomers to each other and involves them<br />
with other community organizations and events. 29<br />
29 Khan, B., and Labute, B. (2015) “Immigrant Attraction and Retention in Perth County”.<br />
http://waynecaldwell.ca/Projects/workingwithimmigrants/Perth%20County%20<strong>Report</strong>.pdf<br />
26 Service Providers and Supporting Organizations
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