REDI @ CIES

The Refugee Express Drop-In ESL & Integration (REDI) project is a fast-track language training and social integration project designed for refugees to help them learn essential vocabulary and basic language skills, incorporating basic real life tasks in order to function in Calgary communities. This three-day a week project offers in-class teaching, hands-on workshops, and fields trip to help build life skills.

Starting this month, REDI began offering classes to all refugees. Classes are available for clients with CLBLA/Pre-Basic/CLB1 and offers express-access to ESL instruction (no wait-times currently) at no cost. This project is perfect for those who are sitting on the waiting list for LINC classes and helps get them up to speed with language training here in Calgary. All classes are located at our northeast Welcome Centre for New Immigrants, a short 3-5 minute walk from Whitehorn train station. If you have any additional questions, please contact the REDI project coordinator at 403-291-0002.

For more information on REDI Simply CLICK HERE.

United Way Campaign Kicks Off @ CIES

Every year, millions of employees get involved in workplace giving campaigns to support local United Way solutions that improve education, financial stability and health. The United Way workplace campaign unites employees in all offices or branches of a company, and gives them an opportunity to donate, volunteer and speak out for causes that matter to them. You can see the results in your own backyard, even as you're part of a larger mission to affect change worldwide.

The workforce campaign is about more than raising money for worthy causes; it also strengthens connections between employees and their community.  CIES kicked off its campaign this week and we are excited to get going! To get more information about workplace campaigns, contact your local United Way.

Alberta Minimum Wage Begins March to $15 per Hour

After promising wage increases in their 2015 campaign, the Alberta’s NDP government has officially begun to roll out.  The pay increase is set to roll out in stages.

This Saturday, October 1st minimum wage will be $12.20 per hour – then, a second increase to $13.60 an hour on October 1, 2017, ending with the final bump up to $15 on October 1, 2018. According to a press release, over 59 thousand Albertans currently work on minimum wage. The province also intends to change the minimum wage for servers and bartenders – this is due to the fact usually is a dollar less per hour to compensate for tips. It’s also important to note that women dominate the ranks of Alberta’s lowest paid workers. More than 60 per cent of workers who earn less than $12 are women. While not a panacea, increasing the minimum wage helps to close a systemic pay gap for women.

The move is seen as controversial or even dangerous by some, but it would be safe to say not by anyone currently making minimum wage.

Terry Fox Run

When people think of Canada, they think of hockey, snow, maple syrup and Terry Fox. A Canadian icon in the truest sense of the word, each September, thousands of Canadians participate in fundraising runs to honour his memory and continue his fight against cancer. In doing so, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised nearly three quarters of a billion dollars for cancer research in the 37 years since his passing.  More than 1,300 people participated in the Calgary run this year.

Terry Fox CC OD was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist. In 1980, with one leg having been amputated, he embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Although the spread of his cancer eventually forced him to end his quest after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 mi), and ultimately cost him his life, his efforts resulted in a lasting, worldwide legacy. The annual Terry Fox Run, first held in 1981, has grown to involve millions of participants in over 60 countries and is now the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research.

Nearly 4 decades since his passing and this true Canadian Hero continues to inspire, not just Canada, but people around the world.

CIES to Participate in YYC Welcoming & Employment Fair II

Back in June The YYC Welcoming and Employment Fair was held at the Calgary Stampede Park with over 900 people attending. The intent was to showcase many of the services available to support newcomers in the Calgary area as well as employment opportunities for those with lower levels of English and lower levels of education. 

The YYC Welcoming and Employment Fair II is now scheduled to be held on October 26th at the Red and White Club/McMahon Stadium at the University of Calgary.  This time with a focus on newcomers to Calgary with higher skills/higher English speaking ability, limited work experience in Canada, and who have arrived over the last five years. A particular focus of this event will be on the Industry Associations and Professional Certification Bodies who will have information booths and can speak on industry/sector and the process to become certified in their specific profession. The various social service agencies that work with newcomers will also have information booths highlighting their services.

Getting to know the market and making connections is really the challenge for a lot of people seeking work. An event like this gives that opportunity and helps get newcomers moving on their way to success. CIES is happy to take part and looks forward to seeing you there! 

CIES to Host Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program

CIES is proud to host the next Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program (RSTP) information session at our NE location in Whitehorn on September 23rd from 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm. RSTP is a Canadian refugee resettlement program. The objective of the RSTP is to address their information and on-going training needs as well as the initial information needs of sponsored refugees.

Through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees program, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can engage in the resettlement of refugees from abroad. As members of organizations, associations and groups, citizens and residents can sponsor refugees from abroad through Groups of Five, Community Sponsorship and Sponsorship Agreement Holders.

Private refugee sponsorship does not rely on public resources, but rather taps the energy and funds of faith communities, ethnic groups, families and other benevolent associations. These organizations typically fund-raise or use their personal income to provide for and support the sponsored individual or family for 1 year in Canada.

They initiate a refugee resettlement undertaking by submitting a refugee sponsorship application package to the Centralized Processing Office in Winnipeg and honour their commitment through to the end of the sponsorship period which is typically 12 months from the date of the sponsored person’s arrival in Canada.  For more information visit their website and to register for this free event simply CLICK HERE.

CIES Joins 12CSI

Late last week CIES attended the monthly 12CSI (Community Safe Initiative) meeting after its summer break. The organization represents Crossroads, Malborough, Malborough Park, Applewood, Penbrooke, Forest Heights, Forest Lawn, Alberta Park / Radisson Heights, South View, Dover and Erin Woods and is a local crime prevention collaborative that fosters community action on the issue of crime prevention by providing support, facilitation and advocacy, thereby creating safer neighbourhoods for all who live, work and volunteer in the Twelve Communities. A truly collaborative approach that involves many local organizations and individuals, multi-faceted strategies incorporating Community Education, Community Engagement, Community Energy and Community Evaluation serve as the 12CSI engine.

The organization's Planning Council, and its Action Committees believe every community member has the right to feel safe in their community and to be treated with dignity and respect. Their work aims to foster an enhanced feeling of community pride and a greater involvement of residents. This involvement includes children and youth which will lead to a reduction in youth crime, which by extension produces a greater understanding of our diverse community and a greater involvement from those within it to help eliminate hate crimes and build inclusion. Above all else, 12CSI 's ultimate goal is to be sustainable and effective organization that will raise community expectations and standards of the residents in the twelve communities.

CIES is proud to join 12CSI in its mission and looks forward to contributing. For more information on 12CSI visit their website.   

The 12CSI Team meeting last Thursday at Dover Community Centre

Cam Stewart of the Alberta Human Rights Commission #human #rights #nonprofits #community #communityimpact #change #calgary #yyc

A video posted by C.I.E.S. (@yyccies) on Sep 8, 2016