Things might be starting to get cold outside, but CIES' Empowering Syrian Refugees (ESR) program is just heating up! So what is it, exactly? Well, it's an answer to these few questions:
ü Are you new to
Calgary?
ü Are you looking for
information about resources in the city?
ü Are you in need of help
making informed decisions about your life in your new community?
ü Are you struggling
to find a meaningful place in Calgary?
ü Are you looking for
an advice and mentorship from a more established Calgarian?
ü Are you looking for
information about career opportunities in Canada?
The Empowering Syrian Refugee program is a City of Calgary-funded initiative designed to equip
Syrian Refugee clients of CIES with the knowledge needed to smoothly transition into a productive and
fulfilling life in Calgary. Through this
program, newly arrived refugees will obtain the ability to find ways to cope
with challenges and barriers associated with relocating to a new culture. Two life
skills workshops constituting the first component of the ESR program are thus
offered during the last week of every month in the following areas:
Navigating Resources – an introduction to locally accessible
organizations, institutions and agencies that offer resources regarding
financial planning, health care, education, legal advice, community services, day
to day activities and immigrant serving agencies.
Self-Assessment
and Decision-Making – this workshop focuses on effective
decision making processes using the resources discussed in the first
workshop that will facilitate the transition to a new community and
culture.
Overall, the sessions are intended to provide key information that will
help them to make sound decisions based on their unique needs. Each
presentation lasts 3 hours and includes Arabic interpretation for participants
who have limited English language ability.
One-on-one consultations - The second component of the ESR program involves one-on-one
consultations with a more established Calgarian who can provide advice on how to
better settle into the city and begin pursuing life goals. Clients attending
the in-class sessions will schedule appointments with available advisers during
the week. The volunteers will be providing clients with at least one hour-long
session (follow-up sessions are optional) on resource information and support
services in Calgary. They can refer the clients to specialized service
providers for specific needs, and generally provide guidance on how to look for
a job, where to find courses, medical services, financial services, schools,
training etc. depending on a client’s particular needs. This will help newcomer
refugees at CIES make sound decisions with enough information, enabling them to
focus on pursuing positive changes in their lives.
So what next? Stop on by our next event:
“RESOURCE INFORMATION AND DECISION MAKING FOR SYRIAN
REFUGEES IN CALGARY”
When:
Workshop
1: October 24, 2016 @ 9am - ‘Navigating Resources’
Workshop
2: October 26, 2016 @ 9am – ‘Decision Making’
Where:
CIES
Welcome Centre
3820-32
st. NE Calgary
Phone:
403-291-0002
Still have questions? Concerns? Contact us at our Northeast location at 403-291-0002.
