london & middlesex local immigration partnership...

London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council

February 19, 2010

10:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. Central Library, Learner Room

251 Dundas Street

AGENDA

1. Welcome & Introductions

2. Review Terms of Reference: Roles & Responsibilities of Sub-council

3. Role of Project Staff

4. Follow up from Community Action Planning Day

5. Review of Gaps and Priority Setting Results a. Template

6. Interpretation into French

7. Process a. Selection of Chair b. Meeting Times

8. Next Steps

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London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council Friday, February 19, 2010

Present: Mohamed Al-Adeimi, Fadela Ahmed, Maria del Pilar Silva, Mayssa Elsayegh, Marel Fielding, Rifat Hussein, Lily Johnson, Ramona Lucan, Gaston Mabaya, Valy Marochko, Tharcisse Ntakibirora, Jean-Baptiste Ntakoma, Mersija Nuric, Nancy Santos, Sunduz Shubbar, Jill Tansley, Denise Taylor-Edwards, Mary Yanful;

Regrets: Brian Rhoden.

Facilitator: Mohamed Al-Adeimi.

SUMMARY

Welcome and Introductions

Mohamed Al-Adeimi was introduced as the facilitator for the first meeting of the Settlement Sub-council until a Chair is selected. The group was asked to go around the table and introduce themselves and share bit about their backgrounds

Terms of Reference

The group was given a few minutes to review the Roles & Responsibilities of the Sub-Council (page 3-4 of the Terms of Reference). Mohamed provided a summary on the Roles & Responsibilities as well as a summary of how the Terms of Reference were endorsed by the community during the November 18, 2009 Community Strategy Meeting. It was noted that the deadline for completing the Strategic Plan has been extended to June 30, 2010. Each of the six sub-councils will be responsible for creating a thematic strategy (i.e. Settlement) which will be one piece in the London and Middlesex Local Immigration partnership Strategic Plan (LMLIP)

The role of the Welcoming Communities Initiative (WCI) at the University of Western Ontario in relation to the LMLIP was also highlighted. Dr Victoria Esses is the Co-director of the Community-University Research Alliance (CURA) project involving 16 universities. The LMLIP is very fortunate to have her on the Central Council representing the research arm.

Role of Project Staff

Nina Hamou was introduced as the Project Assistant on the LMLIP. She will be providing administrative support to the settlement sub-council and the Chair and Co-Chair by taking notes, distributing them, booking meeting space and communication. Nina’s role will involve clarifying or responding to some questions, as needed.

Review of Gaps and Priority Setting Results

The sub-council spent some time analyzing the Sub-council meeting minutes from February 2, 2010. Some clarification and elaboration was provided to the following points including:

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• Clarification was asked for regarding the CIC Modernization Approach which was explained as a new way for streamlining settlement services.

• More elaboration was needed on point number 7 found in the Settlement report. The discussion was regarding the education process and how the mainstream immigration is a bonus to society rather than a heavy burden.

• The role of this Sub-council as a settlement body should be on the Agenda for the next meeting.

• Collectivist vs. Individualistic Societies: immigrants that arrive in Canada may come from collectivist society. We need to implement a way of understanding society at the beginning for immigrants. This is challenging for immigrants and settlement agencies.

ACTION: The sub-council agreed that the issue of individuals coming from a collectivist society into an individualistic one is a gap.

• Affordable Childcare: daycare is very expensive, specifically in Ontario. The cost is the same as what someone would pay for education or career change. When immigrants send their children back to third world country because of lack of affordable childcare, there is a problem. Also, with fulltime Junior Kindergarten being offered, cost of daycare will increase.

• Youth and seniors: Need to look at best practices of Seniors Wrap Around program.

A point of clarification was raised with regards to a point in the Community Capacity and Needs Report (page 8 of the Settlement Report). The use of the word “acculturation” means to lose ones culture. Rather we want to facilitate “Cultural Integration”.

Interpretation into French

Although interpretation is not needed, there was agreement that all final documentation should be translated into French. This includes all the Settlement Sub-council Meeting Minutes. Any community events or consultations will require interpretation.

Process:

a. Selection of a Chair

The following individuals had put forth their names to Chair:

• Marel Fielding • Mohamed Al-Adeimi • Gaston Mabaya • Sundoz Shubbar

Marel Fielding, Gaston Mabaya and Sundoz Shubbar all withdrew the names. Mohamed was asked to continue in the role of Chair. Rifat Hussein was nominated and selected as the co-chair. b. Meeting Times: The following meeting times were selected by the Sub-Council:

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• Monday, March 1st : 9:30-11:30

• Monday, March 22nd: 9:30-11:30 • Thursday, April 8th 9:30-11:30 • Thursday, April 22nd 9:30-11:30

The group collectively agreed that they liked the Central Library for meeting space. However meetings are not to go over 2 hours so that individuals can validate their parking. ACTION: Nina to create name tags.

Next Steps:

ACTION: Nina to take the gaps in the Settlement Report and the gaps mentioned in today’s meeting and insert them into the template.

Next meeting: March 1, 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. Central Library, Stevenson & Hunt Room B Regrets to [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-Council

March 1, 2010

9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Central Library, Stevenson & Hunt Room B

251 Dundas St.

AGENDA


2. Contact lists

3. Review of Gaps and Priority Setting Template

4. Ranking of Priorities

5. Strategic Plan Timelines and Goals

6. Next Steps: March 22, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Central Library, Lerners Room

London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-Council Monday, March 1, 2010 SUMMARY NOTES

Present: Mohamed Al-Adeimi, Brian Rhoden, Jill Tansley, Gaston Mabaya, Marel Fielding, Mersija Nuric, Maria del Pillar Silva, Mary Yanful, Ramona Lucan, Mustafa Zahid, Eugene Tremblay, Sunduz Shubbar.

Regrets: Nancy Santos, Maysaa El-Sayegh, Rifat Hussain, Fadela Ahmed.

Minutes

The group reviewed and approved the minutes. It was noted that the interpretation of int French may be used in this group if it does expand to include those who require it. Nina announced that as for now Citizen and Immigration Canada will be funding interpretation, but it is not yet known if they will fund translation of meeting minutes.

The Minutes were moved by Gaston and approved by Mary.

Introduction:

Individuals who were not present at the last meeting were introduced and welcomed.

Contact List:

The group gave its approval for the creation of a contact list which includes the names, emails and organizations of the sub-council members. Those who would not like their names on the list are to contact Nina directly.

Review of Gaps and Priority Setting Template

The goal is the creation of a strategic plan for the Settlement area of focus, no later than April 23, 2010. The final Strategic Plan will be completed and submitted to Citizen and Immigration Canada (CIC) by June 30, 2010.

The group reviewed the gaps organized in the template. The template included information from the Community Action Planning Day, The Community Needs and Capacity Report and the February 19 discussion. The goal of this was to elaborate on points and suggest gaps which were missing.

Key priorities discussed: • Need to acknowledge that London is a bilingual city and services should be available in French and

English. • Need up to date research regarding the types of immigrants and where they are coming from. • Connecting newcomers to services

‐ Immediate access to information upon arrival (Including the border and all other ways) ‐ Communication ‐ Welcoming process

• Navigating the system

‐ Difficulties for immigrants in navigating bureaucratic structures, filling out forms, responding to letters etc

• Managing Finances ‐ Credit, transition from government sponsorship, taxes, Phone bills, student credit cards

• Family ‐ Families who separate upon arrival (divorce, psychological barriers to adapting) ‐ Families who separate geographically (some immigrate and some stay in home country) ‐ Issues between Children and Parents (values, language) ‐ Childcare (overarching)

ACTION: Nina to update template with points discussed and send to group.

The group also discussed compiling statistics related to settlement in the London Community.

ACTION: Jill Tansley to send statistics on City website and connect with Mo Jeng.

ACTION: Nina to connect with Vicki to find out what the University of Western Ontario, Welcoming Communities Initiative, is doing in terms of settlement statistics.

ACTION: Nina to explore options for meeting space.

Next Steps

Next meeting: March 22, 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. Central Library, Lerner Room Regrets to [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


March 22, 2010

9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Kinsmen Recreation Centre Room 2a

20 Granville St.

AGENDA


2. Meeting Minutes/Attachments

3. Updates a. Chair: Review Tasks and Timelines b. Staff

4. Timelines and Goals

5. Review Gaps a. Refine priorities b. Identify activities/strategies under each priority

6. Next Steps: Meeting April 8, 9:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Kinsmen Recreation Centre, room

2a

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London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council Monday, March 22, 2010 Present: Mohamed Al-Adeimi, Nan Abuhalib, Fadela Ahmed, Maria del Pilar Silva, Marel Fielding, Rifat Hussain, Ramona Lucan, Mersija Nuric, Nancy Santos, Jill Tansley, Eugene Tremblay, Nina Hamou; Regrets: Mayssa El-Sayegh

SUMMARY

Welcome and introductions

Mohamed welcomed the committee members and thanked everyone for their interest. The

group was asked to introduce themselves and new members were welcomed.

Updates

a. Meeting Minutes

Following review, minutes were motioned by Maria and approved by Fadela. Ola Abiodun name

will be included in the list of those present at the last meeting. There was consensus that all

action items have been achieved. Jill was thanked for sharing statistics on immigration in

London.

b. Timelines and Tasks

The group was reminded that there are only two more meetings remaining to complete the

required task by April 23, 2010. The group was asked to save the date of May 26, 2010,

whereby the draft strategic plan will be presented to the community for input.

A document from Statistics Canada was circulated showing projections of diversity and

immigrants in the next few years. This is important information to be mindful of as we move

forward.

Review Gaps

In consultation with the Chairs, Nina compiled the priorities the group discussed in the previous

meeting, as well as what the community has suggested, into the following categories

(highlighted items reflect additions by the group):

1. Connecting newcomers to services

• Immediate access to information upon arrival

• Communication

• Welcoming process

• Needs of Refugees vs. Landed Immigrants

• GARS/PSR vs. Economic class

• Providing settlement services at the neighbourhood level

• Agency vs. ethno-cultural referrals

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• Long-term support

• Use of the Immigration Portal

• Students

• Temporary Workers

2. Navigating systems

a. Bureaucratic Systems

• Difficulties for immigrants in navigating bureaucratic structures, filling out

forms, responding to letters etc.

• Language and literacy

b. Managing Finances

• Credit

• Transition from government sponsorship

• Taxes

• Phone bills

c. Education System

3. Family Challenges

• Families who separate upon arrival (divorce, psychological barriers to adapting)

• Families who separate geographically (some immigrate and some stay in home

country)

• Children and Parents (values, language)

• Transition from collectivist to individualistic Societies

• Childcare/child minding

• Youth

• Seniors

• Parenting

• Role of men in the community

• Family Sponsorship

4. Housing

• Landlord/ tenants rights and responsibilities

• Affordable housing

• Co-ops

5. Overarching themes

The following additions and revisions were made:

• Students, temporary workers to be added as a priority groups under “connecting

services to newcomers”

• “Education system” is to be included under “navigating systems”

• “Housing” will be included as a separate priority with issues of tenant and

landlord rights and responsibilities falling under it

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• “Family challenges”: parenting, family sponsorship and the role of men will be

included. The role of men in the community was given considerable discussion.

It is felt that men are being neglected in the settlement process. There need to

be services to address their role as a father figure and male of the household.

• “Space concerns” will be removed from the list as it is unclear

The following activities were suggested:

1. Connecting Services to Newcomer

- Effective use of the immigration portal by service providers, immigrants, and

potential immigrants

- Setting up a joint reception centre

- Providing support for students in the university

- Targeting economic class immigrants by promoting London abroad (Immigration

Portal)

- Information available to GARs and Refugees Applicants– creating a database of

services available for different categories of immigrants by building on the database

we already have

2. Navigating the systems

- Providing additional training services to students

- Involve Interpreters with training and knowledge on settlement information

- Cognitive behavioral therapy- helping immigrants change the way they perceive

situations

ACTION: Nina to organize all the priorities and the activities discussed in a working template for

the group.

Next steps:

The group will continue to discuss activities.

Meeting minutes will be posted on the Immigration Portal welcome.london.ca.

Next Meeting: April 8, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Kinsmen Recreation Centre, room 2a Regrets to [email protected]


April 8, 2010 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Kinsmen Recreation Centre 20 Granville St.

AGENDA



3. Updates a. Chair: Review Tasks and Timelines b. Staff

4. Review Gaps a. Refine priorities b. Identify activities/strategies under each priority

5. Next Steps: Meeting April 22, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Kinsmen Recreation Centre

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London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council Thursday, April 8, 2010 Present: Amani Radhaa, Eugene Tremblay, Marel Fielding, Mustafa Zahid, Jill Tansley, Maria del

Pilar Silva, Sunduz Shubar, Brian Rhoden, Rifat Hussain, Mohamed Al-Adeimi and Nina Hamou.

Regrets: Fadela Ahmed, Nancy Santos, Mayssa Elsayegh, Lily Johnson, Tharcisse Ntakibirora,

Mersija Nuric, Ramona Lucan

SUMMARY

Welcome and Introductions Mohamed thanked the group for their attendance and commitment. Updates Mohamed briefed the group on the Central Council Meeting. At the meeting he provided a summary of the priorities and progress of this sub-council so far. Following discussion it was overlapping advocacy issues were mentioned such as space and childcare. Nina shared the invitation for the Wednesday, May 26 Community Strategy meeting during which, the draft strategic plan will be presented. Individuals are reminded to RSVP. The report by the Welcoming Communities Initiative (WCI) was circulated via email. It included a chapter related to housing. The group decided that it would refer to the recommendations made in the document to avoid duplication. Meeting Minutes Meeting minutes were reviewed. Maria accepted and Mohamed seconded the move. Priorities The following strategies were discussed: 1. Connecting newcomers to services: • Ensure immediate access to information upon arrival and maintaining an ongoing

welcoming process - Create and set up a joint reception centre which is coordinated by all settlement

agencies in London. - Create a binder with all information related to services in a culturally and

linguistically relevant way which includes brochures in different languages that explain settlement agencies and services they provided in schools, places of worship, health services etc.

- Providing additional training services to immigrant students and their families by building on SWIS and LSP programs to assist families and students connect to services.

• Strengthen communication between service providers and immigrants - Enhance and strengthen referrals between agencies through greater collaboration

and opportunities for communication.

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- Include immigrants in planning stages in the delivery of services by holding focus groups and ensuring representation on planning committees.

- Advocate for increased number of brochures in different languages that explain settlement agencies and services they provided in schools, places of worship, health services etc.

- Promote and coordinate the use of the Immigration Portal and other existing tools within our community.

• Ensure there are programs that reflect and understand the diverse and unique needs of various classes of immigrants. (GARS/PRs, Economic class, students, temporary workers, refugees, landed immigrants)

- Targeting economic class immigrants by promoting London abroad through the use and promotion of the Immigration Portal.

- Provide support for students and temporary workers who may wish to stay in Canada.

- Create opportunities for agency to connect with ethno-specific communities. • Increase the delivery of settlement services at the neighbourhood level to establish long-

term support and consistent ethno- cultural referrals. - Creation of a volunteer management position within settlement organization which

will ensure volunteers are trained to provide basic settlement services and ongoing support and follow-up to immigrants when eligibility criteria restricts continued service. Volunteers will be recruited from host-community and can be immigrants themselves.

- Build and expand on existing programs such as the Women of the World Program to train community leaders to provide information on settlement services.

2. Navigating Systems

a. Bureaucratic Systems - Advocate and create opportunities for interpreters to be involved training and

knowledge on settlement information.

b. Managing Finances - Create ongoing interactive workshops which creatively educate immigrants how to

manage all aspects of finances including banking, credit, transition from government sponsorship, taxes, and bill payments

3. Family Challenges • Increase referral and support for families who separate upon arrival or separate

geographically - Direct to free and informal counselling services that take into account pre-

migratory experiences. • Intergenerational conflict between children and parents and the transition from collectivist

to individualistic societies • Build on programs which assist the settlement of specific segments of the family, youth

and seniors - Adopt a unique wrap-around model for each

• Increase supports and resources for existing parenting programs to support newcomer needs.

- Increased collaboration with CAS and Settlement through outreach to school aged children and their parents.

- Training of community leaders of ethno cultural communities to provide referrals and support for parenting and child care issues.

• Increase supports for the role of men in families and in the community - Promote and enhance existing programs which providing fathers and or husbands

with the tools and information on their roles and responsibility in the community.

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4. Housing • Enhance supports for education on landlord and tenants rights and responsibilities

- Build on workshops that proactively teach individuals their rights and responsibilities and how to respond in tenant/landlord conflicts.

- Information-sharing that facilitates newcomers’ access to shelters (WCI). • Enhance and create affordable and suitable housing

- Creation of housing sensitive to the needs of newcomers (WCI) while ensuring that newcomers are kept out of silos.

- Advocating for city planning that seeks to address newcomers’ housing needs. Next Steps Rationale and timelines will be discussed at the next meeting. Next meeting Thursday, April 8, 2010 Kinsmen Recreation Centre, Room 2a Regrets to: [email protected]


April 22, 2010 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Kinsmen Recreation Centre 20 Granville St.

AGENDA



3. Updates a. Chair: Central Council

4. Review of Draft Template & wrap up

5. Next Steps: Community Strategy Meeting May 26, 2010, London Convention Centre,

1:00-4:30

Funded by: Co-led by:

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London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council Thursday, April 22, 2010

Present: Brian Rhoden, Marel Fielding, Mustafa Zahid, Maria Vasquez, Jill Tansley, Rifat Hussain, Eugene Tremblay, Amani Radha, Mohamed Al-Adeimi, Ramona Lucan, Mersija Nuric and Nina Hamou. Regrets: Fadela Ahmed, Tharcisse Ntakibirora, Gaston Mabaya, Ola Abiodun and Mayssa El-Sayegh. SUMMARY

Welcome and Introductions

Mohamed thanked everyone for their attendance.

Updates

The group was reminded this was the last time they would meet to revise the priority setting

template. The goal is for project staff to send the templates to the Central Council by Monday,

April 24.

The group was reminded to RSVP their attendance to the Community Strategy Meeting on May

26, 2010.

Meeting Minutes

The Sub-council reviewed and approved the meeting minutes.

Review of Draft Template & Wrap-up

Timelines and rationales were developed for each strategy and wording was modified to reflect

strategic language.

The following advocacy items were added:

• Information pre-immigration and post immigration • Landlord and housing rules and regulations

There was discussion on the strategy regarding the creation of a joint reception centre. It was agreed that more parameters need to be in place and that we need to acknowledge the work that is being done in the community.

Next Steps

The group was reminded that this is not the last meeting. This Sub-council will convene again to

monitor the implementation of the strategic plan.

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Next meeting: Community Strategy Meeting, London Convention Centre Wednesday, May 26, 2010 RSVP to [email protected]



June 24, 2010

9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Kinsmen Recreation Centre 3a

20 Granville St.

AGENDA


2. Approval of Meeting Minutes

3. Debrief a. May 26 Community Strategy Meeting b. Community feedback

4. Role of sub-council in relationship to the LMLIP Council

5. Next Steps – Phase Two


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London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council Thursday, June 24, 2010 Present: Mohamed Al-Adeimi, Ramona Lucan, Brian Roden, Yasmine El-Sabawi, Nancy Santos, Marel Fielding, Jill Tansley and Nina Hamou. Regrets: Mustafa Zahid, Maysaa Elsayegh and Fadela Ahmed. Welcome & Introductions Mohamed thanked the group for their attendance. Yasmine El-Sabawi was introduced as a new member. Approval of Meeting Minutes Meeting minutes from April 23, 2010 were motioned by Marel seconded by Jill. May 26 Community Strategy Meeting Mohammed indicated that the meeting truly was a celebration of the wonderful work completed despite the tight schedules. Momentum was continuous and we were able to meet to submit template. The group felt there was a general positive atmosphere and people were enthusiastic. Community Feedback Some feedback that came from the Community Strategy Meeting includes:

• Neighbourhood not interchangeable with community – distinct • Sponsorship challenges: family class immigrants who fall through cracks due to

abandoning by sponsors • “Role of men” needs to change to be more inclusive. Example: should read ‘roles of

children, men and women in the family and community or engagement of men. Staff have gone through the draft Strategic Plan to ensure consistency with the use of the terms, “neighbourhood” and “community”. In terms of sponsorship, this concept is already captured under advocacy. Also, it was explained that individuals who are abandoned by a sponsor can qualify for Ontario Works. The issue that arose due to the priority regarding “”the role of men in the community” was due to the missing context of the rationale. The need for services that engage men was taken as a focus on men to the exclusion of women. By doing this we were making an assumption that it is the men who do not engage, in some cultures it may be the women. ACTION: Staff to change language to include roles of all family members. Role of Sub-council in relationship to LMLIP Council

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Mohamed gave an overview of the letter sent to the Sub-councils. Key points include that each

Sub-council will:

• look at area specific strategies, support progress within the area and report to the Central Council through its chair

• will lead implementation of the recommended strategies while working with current members and engaging new partners as appropriate

• will work actively to support the goals identified in the plan. Next Steps Mohamed reminded the group that we will continue to meet in the Fall. This sub-council should continue to be a place to network and to share information. It was recommended that a tool be developed to allow members to network with each other. ACTION: Staff to look into creating a membership directory with and organizational link and description.



September 15, 2010

9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Kinsmen Recreation Centre 2a

20 Granville St.

AGENDA



3. Update on Central Council a. Review of role of Sub-Council in relationship to the LMLIP Council

4. The work of the Employment Sub-Council for this year. a. Priority #1 Determine Year 1 Objectives and establish an

implementation plan b. Priority# 2 (for future meetings this year) Determine Year 2 and 3

objectives

5. Wrap up and next meetings Documents for the meeting:

• Agenda/June24, 2010 minutes • LMLIP Final Strategic Plan • Draft Implementation Document

Co-led by:

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London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council Wednesday, September 15, 2010 Present: Mohamed Al-Adeimi, Fadela Ahmed, Mustafa Zahid, Amani Radhaa, Nancy Santos,

Eugene Tremblay, Gaston Mabaya, Marel Fielding, Jean-Claude Kilubi, Mayssa El-Sayegh, Rifat

Hussain, Lily Johnson, Brian Rhoden, Jill Tansley, Debora Szelepski, Monica Abdelkader, Valy

Marochko and Nina Hamou.

MEETING SUMMARY

Meeting Minutes

A correction was made to the minutes of June 24, 2010. “Individuals who are abandoned by a

sponsor can qualify for Ontario Works” Was changed to, “may qualify”. The membership

directory discussed at the previous meeting will be shared with the group after review by the

Chair. Minutes of June 24, 2010 were approved.

Update on Central Council

Mohamed updated the group regarding the work of the Central Council. The Central Council

went through a discussion in order to narrow down two priorities to focus on in the first year of

implementation. They are: supports and services for immigrants and communication. The role

of the Central Council and LMLIP Sub-councils were reviewed by Nina.

The work of the Settlement Sub-Council for this year

It was suggested that after review of the strategies, each person around the table list the

strategies they considered most important. They included:

• Ressources: Information packages/ Immigration Portal (ten votes)

• Collaboration: Enhance and strengthen communication (nine votes)

• Linguistics (one vote)

• Workshops/orientation (two votes)

• Media- advertise settlement services in various forms of media (one vote)

• Counseling for men (one vote)

• Volunteering and mentorship- can we fit it into orientation (two votes)

• Advocacy: how do we continue to support (one vote)

Following further discussion the group has decided to focus on the following strategies:

• Information- Develop a common information package, across the city and county, with

all information related to services in a culturally and linguistically relevant way which

includes brochures in different languages that explain settlement agencies and all the

services they provide ( such as the Settlement Workers in Schools, the Library Settlement

Partnership etc.).

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• Collaboration/Coordination- Enhance and strengthen communication among service

providers.

The group will further discuss the third identified strategy at the next meeting:

• Volunteerism/Mentorship- Create a volunteer management position within organizations

whereby volunteers, recruited from both host and immigrant communities, can be

trained to provide basic settlement services and ongoing support and follow-up with

immigrants when eligibility criteria restrict serving certain population, such as new

Canadians or refugee claimants. Goal: Information packages.

The discussion focused on the strategy related to information packages. The group agreed that

it was important to leverage our existing resources such as the Immigration Portal website and

newsletter. It is a matter of updating and coordinating the facilitation of information.

A sub-committee is needed in order to further guide the implementation of this strategy.

Existing resources and detailed information of what needs to be included in the packages need

to be developed.

In regards to the information sharing, Jean-Claude Kilubi is able send information related to

settlement to be posted at Pearson Airport.

ACTION: An expression of interest will be sent out by email to Sub-council members.

Wrap up and next meetings

The issue of the time available to implement the strategy was raised. Do we have one year to

implement one strategy or can it be longer? Following consultation with Huda, it is best that our

first priority be realistic to finish in our first year, however this question will be taken back to

project team.

Next meeting will be on Wednesday, November 10, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Location to be

announced.

Regrets to: [email protected]

London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership

Settlement Sub-council

November 10, 2010 9:30 am to 11:30 am

Kinsmen Recreation Centre 4 20 Granville St.

AGENDA



3. Co-Chair Remarks a. Central Council Meeting update b. Material at Pearson airport

4. Updates: a. Information Sub-committee report back

5. Other Priorities: a. Collaboration/Coordination b. Volunteerism

6. Wrap up and next meeting Documents for the meeting:

• Agenda/Sept 15, 2010 minutes

Co-led by: Funded by:

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London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Sub-council Wednesday, November 10, 2010 Present: Rifat Hussein, Mohamed Al-Adeimi, Marel Fielding, Mersija Nuric, Brian Rhoden, Gaston

Mabaya, Jill Tansley, Amani Radhaa, Ishmael St. Louis and Nina Hamou.

Regrets: Mayssa El-Sayegh, Nancy Santos, Fadela Ahmed, Deborah Szelepski.

Welcome & Introductions

Mohamed thanked the Sub-council for their attendance. Ishmael St. Louis, of the London Central

Church of God was welcomed as a new member.

Approval of Meeting minutes

Meeting minutes of November 10, 2010 were approved.

Chair Remarks and Updates

At the Central Council level, a Multi-media Communication Plan is currently being developed.

Furthermore, the Central Council heard from the Child and Youth Network (CYN) and the

Strengthening Neighbourhoods Strategy (SNS). Staff are currently looking at the shared

priorities between LMLIP, CYN and SNS. Mohamed was part of the Strengthening

Neighbourhoods Strategy and expressed that it will be interesting to see the crossover

recommendations that come up.

Thanks to Jean-Claude’s assistance, a package of settlement related information was sent by

Nina to Pearson International Airport. Nina was informed that information is already being

picked up at the airport. As part of continued collaboration, other entry points need to be

identified.

ACTION: Jill Tansley will include Immigration Portal and City related information the next time

information is sent.

The group expressed concern that although information may be there, the immigration officer

may not remember to give it out. Gaston shared that there is a Francophone information booth

at Pearson International Airport.

ACTION: Gaston will find out more information regarding entry points.

Updates

The Information Sub-council met to discuss the creation of a shared information package. Nina,

Jill, Mersija, Amani, Mayssa and Valy were involved in the discussion. The information Sub-

committee has arranged to meet with the Executive Directors of Cross Cultural Learner Centre,

LUSO, South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre and ACFO on November 22 to discuss

this joint initiative.

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Other priorities

a. Collaboration

The Sub-council discussed the role of collaboration: information Sub-committee is taking steps

towards collaboration. Rifat elaborated on the Assessment centre at CCLC which is a centre for

everyone but eligibility criteria still applies. There is an opportunity for collaboration here.

Jill shared that the Immigration Portal works collaboratively with community partners and there

is room to expand it. Jill reported that London hosted meetings for about 20 municipalities

which have an Immigration Portal. Experiences, tips and best practices were shared as well.

Municipalities also heard from Provincial and Federal governments on tools to use to improve

the site.

b. Volunteer Coordination

The Sub-council explored the strategy relating to volunteerism and using a volunteer

coordinator to train volunteers to serve immigrants when eligibility criteria becomes restrictive.

One barrier the group will need to address is funding. If this project is funded by CIC then there

will be eligibility restriction so other funding may need to be explored.

ACTION: Nina to connect with other Sub-councils to see what needs surrounding outreach are.

ACTION: Nina to look into another strategy which discusses outreach.

No action was taken on the above priorities however they may be considered for year two

implementation.

The group also heard from Ishmael St. Louis who was involved in Ottawa with a Police Advisory

Committee. He has moved to London from Ottawa and is a Pastor at the London Central Church

of God near Hamilton Road. He has been in touch with Police Services and is looking at the

possibility of bringing something similar to London. He mentioned that he is looking to meet

and work with other community partners.

Wrap-up and next meeting

The Sub-council agreed to meet on November 19, 2010.

ACTION: Nina to arrange meeting time via Doodle.