1. Welcome Friends of Newcomers Information SessionTo
Friends of Newcomers
Information Session

2. Building Safety – Fire Escapes Agenda for this Evening Presentation
Introductions
Building Safety – Fire Escapes
Agenda for this Evening
Presentation
Questions and Answers

3. OBJECTIVES www.wesley.ca
How does the “Friends of Newcomer “ Volunteer Program work?
Benefits for Newcomers
Benefits of being a Friend to a Newcomer
How to support Refugee(s) in their community
Understanding the Syrian Population
Role of Case worker vs. Role of “Friend of Newcomer”
Do’s and Don'ts to being a support to a Newcomer
Health and Wellness for Newcomers
Volunteer process
Matching process

5. Friends of Newcomer Program Work?
How does the
Friends of Newcomer Program Work?

6. Community members volunteer to support Newcomers by helping them to become engaged in social and community supports.
Volunteers support Newcomers by connecting them to Community and Social resources that will help them to become inclusive in their community and to become more settled.
Creates a friendship between the Newcomer and the Volunteer.

7. What are the benefits to Newcomers?

8. Helps the Newcomer to understand the social and cultural part of living in Canada.
Supports the Newcomer to become a part of their community.
Prevents isolation and supports their mental health.
Builds positive and lasting relationships.
Provides opportunity to the Newcomer to practice their language outside of their language school.
Expand social circle which may connect to more resources to improve quality of life.
Will create networking which may lead to employment opportunity.

9. What are the benefits to being a “Friend to a Newcomer”?

10. www.wesley.ca Intrinsic Value - the reward of helping someone.
Learning about the newcomer’s culture, language and values.
Creating a new friendship.
Great way to get involved in your community!

11. How Do I Support a Newcomer in our Community?

13. Supporting Newcomer in their community can be done in a variety of ways, from meeting them for coffee and talking, or to connecting them to Community Program such as the Ontario Early Years Centers.

14. www.wesley.ca Hamilton Public Library http://www.hpl.ca/
City of Hamilton - Park and Recreation Programs
Ontario Early Years Centers (OEYC)
YMCA
YWCA
Ontario Parks
Tourism Hamilton

15. Syrian’s

16. www.wesley.ca Profile and Background Language Literacy Ethnicity
Religion
Religious beliefs/Practise
Family Dynamics
Food and Dietary

17. Syrian Refugee Profile and background
Conflict in Syrian began in 2011.
Caused widespread displacement.
4 million Syrians flee to neighbouring Countries such as Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Iraq.
Conditions in these neighbouring Countries are still poor.
Integration in those Countries are not possible due to the overwhelming number of refugees that have had to flee.
Many families have not been able to settle which has affected their ability to have employment, have their children attend school or be part of a community.
3rd Country resettlement is their only option to consider.
Many coming into Canada have waited up to 2 years or more.

18. Language
Languages spoken in Syria include Arabic (official language), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, and Circassian (widely understood).
French and English are somewhat understood.
School age children were taught English as part of their curriculum.

19. Literacy
Universal literacy was a major goal of the Syrian government before the conflict.
As a result, 84 percent of the population is literate (90 percent of men and 77 percent of women)

20. Ethnic Groups
Prior to the conflict, Syria’s ethnic groups consisted of Arabs (90 percent) and Kurds, Armenians and others (10 percent).

21. Religion www.wesley.ca The majority religion in Syria is Islam
Makes up 87 percent of the population, including 74 percent who are Sunni Muslim.
13 percent who are Alawi, Ismaili and Shia Muslim.
Approximately 10 percent practice Christianity, with individuals identifying as Orthodox, Uniate and Nestorian Christians.
The remaining 3 percent are Druze.

22. Religious Beliefs www.wesley.ca
In Syria, devout Muslims pray five times a day, in private and at scheduled times.
Syrian Muslims may fast during the lunar month of Ramadan, during which eating, drinking and smoking is prohibited from sunrise to sunset.
At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid by feasting with family. Devout Christians wear crosses around their necks and attend church regularly.
All Muslim and Christian holidays are official holidays in Syria.

23. Families
As mentioned, the majority of resettled Syrian refugees who have arrived in Canada are family units consisting of a couple with three or more children.
Families are quite extended in Syria; they include not only parents and children but also grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
It is not uncommon for extended and immediate family members to live together in a single dwelling. In general, Syrian society is patriarchal, with the family under the authority of the oldest man.

24. Food and Dietary Restrictions
Syrian food consists of a wide range of grains, meat and fruits and vegetables. Common dishes include pita and hummus (chickpea dip), baba ganoush (eggplant spread), mahshe (stuffed grape leaves, zucchini and bell peppers), shawarma (gyro), and salads such as tabouleh and fattoush.
Lunch is usually the largest meal of the day, often eaten at 2:00 pm. Syrian Muslims have dietary restrictions that do not allow them to eat pork; additionally, some will not consume alcohol or eat shellfish.

25. Role of Case Worker Vs. Role of “Friend of Newcomer”

27. Role of the Intensive Case Manager (ICM)
Complete intake and needs assessment.
Make referrals based on those needs to the appropriate service provider or government program.
Identify urgent vs. non-urgent needs.
Assist client with navigating the medical, educational, employment, financial and government services.
Provide explanation of services prior to completing referral.
Complete home visits, monitor the safety within the home.
Develop an Empowerment Plan and Settlement Goals with the client.
Assist with Housing issues and communication with landlord.
Coordinate apt. such as; medical, school, banking etc.
Connect clients to language assessment and training.
Support and assisting with various applications (GST, child tax benefit, 1 year window application, Access to Housing, etc.)
Advocate when needed
Connect to Social and Community supports.

28. Giving the Gift of Friendship!

29. Role of “Friend of Newcomer”
Support Newcomers by helping them to become engaged in social and community supports.
Connect Newcomers to Community Resources that will help them to become inclusive in their community and to become more settled.
Create a friendship with the newcomer through building trust and consistency.
Help the Newcomer to understand the social and cultural part of living in Canada.
Support the Newcomer to become a part of their community.

30. The Do’s and Don'ts when volunteering with a Newcomer

31. Share about your Culture, Customs, Values, Beliefs etc.
The Do’s
Be a good listener.
Share about your Culture, Customs, Values, Beliefs etc.
Keep an open mind.
Be outgoing/enthusiastic.
Be resourceful.
Be creative.
Be positive!

32. Don’ts
Don’t try and be an expert even if you know the information, always refer the newcomer back to speaking with their Intensive case manager (ICM).
Don’t accept gifts or money from newcomer.
Don’t lend or borrow money from the newcomer.
Don’t discuss any personal matters with the newcomer in a public place.
Don’t talk about the clients personal details to other community members or volunteers.

33. Health and Wellness for Newcomers

34. The Volunteer Process

35. Vulnerable Sector Screening Why do I need this?
Where to go to get it completed
Costs/Wait time
Volunteer Letter
“Friends of Newcomers” Application
Volunteer Interview

36. Matching Process

37. How will I get matched to a Syrian newcomer?
How long will it take to be matched?
Volunteers will be matched to Newcomers who have:
Low health need
In Canada more than 3 months and have settled in their permanent housing
Have asked for social support and community connections though their Intensive Case Manager (ICM)

38. www.wesley.ca Volunteer Contact
If you are interested in Volunteering as a
Friend of a Newcomer
Please Visit:
Wesley.ca
and click “Friend of Newcomer” Volunteer for application.
You can then follow up with:
Rebecca Young
Special Events & Volunteer Coordinator
T: x240

40. Questions and Answers