Refugees Settlement: Who's Responsible? Whose Responsibility?

Transcription

1 Refugees Settlement: Who's Responsible? Whose Responsibility? People Assisted Settlement Services (PASS) Model Presented at the 2017 CSA-SCS Conference at Congress 2017 Track: Rethinking Immigrant Settlement: Women, Youth and Seniors May 29, 2017 Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada Noor Din Founder & CEO, Human Endeavour 1

2 The goal of this presentation is to examine different settlement practices with a view to revealing both advantages and disadvantages of distinct models. In this way, organizations can rethink their delivery of effective settlement services. I will discuss the experiences of two cohorts: 1. Privately Sponsored Refugees 2. Government Assisted Refugees This Presentation 2

3 1. Privately (or blended) Sponsored Refugees Case study of a 12 member Syrian family settled in Bradford West Gwillimbury (population 29,000) What services are provided and how? Who is involved? 2 (+) year sponsorship/support plan for the family Sponsored/supported by a group of 18+ Canadians (plus Government s financial support [not utilized in this case]) 2. Government Assisted Refugees Case study of a 6 member Syrian family settled in Mississauga (population 713,443) Sponsored by the Canadian Government and supported by local agencies after arrival Sponsorship Models 3

4 Housing Financial Transport Interpretation Socialization Integration (belonging, feeling valued) Recreation English learning Training Job Financial literacy Others (depending on the family background, experiences, special needs etc.) Services Needed for Refugees 4

5 Housing 2 year no rent to refugee family Financial Full financial support year 1, year 2 transition ESL ESL for kids ESL for Mother - one on one ESL for father & eldest son 10km away after work driven by community members* Socialization/recreation/belonging Home Visits/Socialization -> Communication Trips / outings Community events One on one support to mother Soccer for boys / activities for girls Transport For groceries To & from work during winter (5:30am-6pm) Outings/trips To & from ESL class Doctors/dentists visits Training / Jobs Interpretations Interview arrangements for jobs Summer jobs and training kids Job for father in 1 st month after arrival Volunteer opportunities for elder kids for the kids (negligible now) still need for father (extensive) and mother (moderate) Financial Literacy Managing transition from sponsorship Rental and House purchase options Banking and bill payments Credit building 18+ community members of diverse careers and background from a small town have delivered thousands of hours of services that met the needs of the family and resulted in successful integration. Case1: Service Delivery by Community 5

6 Gov t Assisted Refugee family of 6, 2 adult and 4 children Temporary accommodation at the time of landing. Were given $2000 to cover initial expenses Every adult was given $750 per month to cover expenses An agency find them an apartment with rent of $1500/month No money to buy food No formal introduction of the family to any tenant Our staff living in this building noticed distress of the family Immediately food was donated to the family and arrangements were made with a local food bank and few families for groceries Volunteers collected clothes for the family. TV, Computer, internet and toys for the kids Arranged a $100 cheaper apartment Created a social circle with Arabic speaking individuals Connected head of the family with few entry level jobs Family is doing fine with the support of the community members Case 2: Service Delivery by Organizations 6

7 Community lead initiatives like PASS ensure success because of the grassroots involvement and their dedicated support without conditions or anything in return. We believe this model can be added for Government Assisted Refugees and should also be used to address settlement challenges faced by skilled immigrants. In this presentation we have briefly looked at the role of community. However, there are other important contributions by the governments, schools, public at large, non-profits and businesses that are part of the overall successful integration of refugees. Watch short videos on the life of recent refugees in York and Simcoe on Conclusion 7

8 Thank you! Noor Din, CEO, Human Endeavour Cell: Address: 439 Glenkindie Ave. Vaughan, Ontario, L6A 2A2 8