SILTA CENTRE - THE BRIDGE CENTRE IMMIGRANT CENTRE - A Case Study

Transcription

1 ENPI - Social Services on Both Sides of the Border North Karelian Society for Social Security SILTA CENTRE - THE BRIDGE CENTRE IMMIGRANT CENTRE - A Case Study Autumn

2 1 Background infromation about immigrants in Joensuu There are more than immigrants living in Joensuu. They have moved to North Karelia for various reasons. In addition to them, there are around foreigners living temporarily in Joensuu, mainly because of working or studying in North Karelia. Silta Centre is a counselling centre for immigrants. It was openend in May 2013 and is situated in Joensuu city centre Koulukatu 24 B. 2 Actors and activities in Silta Centre Silta is a result of combined work and partnership. There are several actors in Silta working together and in the same premises, but at the same time having their own spesific aims as well. The actors are City of Joensuu, North Karelian Society for Social Security, Finnish Refugee Council and JoMoni, Joensuu District Multicultural Association. 2.1 City of Joensuu: Immigrant services Silta / City of Joensuu organises social services to support the integration of refugees permanently settled in Joensuu and immigrants in similar situations. It also provides integration guidance. There are two people working with immigrant services, service manager and social counsellor. They are responsible for the path of to integration: advice and guidance on services, initial investigations, and integration plans. They also support other social service professionals, train and consultant them and help them connect with other organisations. They want to make people feel that they are welcome to Joensuu. The services are free of charge and discussions are confidential. 2.2 North Karelian Society for Social Security: Counselling for immigrants Immigrant counselling aims at giving guidance and advise concerning various everyday life issues, such as family, accommodation, working, economic situation, or leisure-time activities. The starting point is low-threshold counselling. Initially there was a project on multicultural issues (MOI project ) that was developing e.g. counselling and empowering immigrants and was promoting anti-racism work in North 2

3 Karelia. A multicultural network of North Karelian NGO s MoVe was founded. Counselling in Silta is free of charge and confidential. Languages in use are Finnish and English. In addition to service councillors there are four coaches for integration working with immigrant. The coaches are immigrants who have lived in Finland and they are able to help with their native languages which are Somali, Thai, Russian and Arabic. 2.3 Finnish Refugee Council: Peer groups The Finnish Refugee Council is an independent Finnish NGO. It is a nationwide NGO which provides activities also in North Karelia. It helps refugees and returnees towards a new beginning. It organises e.g. peer group activities. 2.4 JoMoni, Joensuu District Multicultural Association: Multicultural activities JoMoni was founded in In the founding meeting there were approximately 30 people from approximately ten different countries. JoMoni aims at promoting multicultural diversity and at preventing immigrants of being discriminated and isolated. The association is open to people of all origins, nationalities, religions and political views. It organises cultural and recreational events and seminars. The activities bring together people from different backgrounds. E.g. The Sparkles is a multicultural theatre group for adults. JoMoni informs people living in Joensuu region about multicultural diversity and at the same time helps immigrants to deal with authorities and bureaucracy. 3 Silta weekly timetable Weekly calendar in Silta consists of, in addition to immigrant services by City of Joensuu (on weekdays) and immigrant counselling (three days a week), also several other activities organised by partners of Silta. E.g. - Multicultural photography club - Arabic discussion group for men - Handicraft course 3

4 - Gymnastics group - Football - Discussion group for parents with school children - Elementary Finnish course - Discussion group for Thai women - Prenemo discussion group 4 Services, councelling and empowering empowering When combining different actors and activities Silta Centre helps immigrants to integrate into the Finnish society. You are able to find under the same roof guidance and public services, lowthreshold guidance in everyday life issues, peer support, and several activities to take part in. Participating empowers and gives new opportunities to influence the society, decisions-makers and common people s attitudes towards immigration and foreigners. 4

5 Links Immigrant services. City of Joensuu. Counseling for immigrants. North Karelian Society for Social Security. Peer groups. Finnish Refugee Council. JoMoni. Joensuu District Multicultural Association. You can come with us. Campaign for hospitality and equality in Joensuu. 5