SfCeNews

Volume III.  Issue 08. August 31, 2002

Skills for Change (SfC) is a non-profit agency based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Our mandate is to provide learning and training opportunities for immigrants and refugees so that they can participate in the workplace and wider community.

In this edition...

New Pioneers Awards Nominations
Cover Page Design Contest
New Computer Courses for September
Newcomer Settlement Program
Building Networks -- Sharing Knowledge
Association of International Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Multiculturalism in Canada
Programs and Services Updates

Annual Report Cover Page Design Contest

The theme will be “Twenty years of service to the immigrant community”. The winning entry will be featured on the front cover page of the 2001 – 2002 Skills for Change Annual Report. The competition is open to all current clients, volunteers and past graduates of Skills for Change.

Only one entry per person. Entries must be original pieces of work and have not been or are going to be published in any other medium.  Winners must agree to grant SfC free and sole right to use their entry for promotional purposes (with proper credit) for a period of six months after the contest close date.

Entries must be received at Skills for Change, 791 St. Clair Avenue West no later than 5:00 pm on Thursday, October 3, 2002.

Medium
The entry should be on paper, canvas or board and can be a painting or drawing. No computer graphic design will be accepted. A combination of different art forms will be accepted.

Format
The submission must be in a portrait format. Other formats will be excluded from the competition.

Measurement Scale (height x width)
Letter size, 8.5 x 11 inches. Other dimensions that are proportional to the measurement provided maybe considered provided they can be resized without affecting the visual impact of the artwork.

Presentation
Paintings and drawings should be suitably mounted or framed so they can be handled without being damaged.

Judging
On Friday, October 5, 2002, at 11.00 a.m., a panel consisting of SfC clients and staff will carry out the judging.

Prizes
1st. prize $200, 2nd prize, $100, 3rd prize $50. 

Notification of Finalists
The finalists will be notified by mail and will also be featured on the Skills for Change web site.

Collection Of Your Entry
All entries, except the finalists’ works, must be collected at the Skills for reception counter from 16 to 20 November 2002.

For further information, call 416 658-3101 ext. 208.

New Courses for September

Tech@Skills specializes in hands-on, instructor-led training in the latest software applications. We offer instructors with years of real-world expertise in a fun informal setting, teaching everything from basic web site development to more advanced accounting and database design.

Spaces are still available for these September start dates:

Accounting I - Monday, September 16, 2002
Learn basic concepts and methodology of accounting; learn accounting equation, prepare balance sheets and income statements and end-of-the-period process.

Excel 2000 - Tuesday, September 17, 2002
Learn a variety of key fundamental commands and activities such as: creating worksheets and mathematical equations, saving and retrieving files, and editing worksheets.

ACCESS 2000 - Saturday, September 14, 2002
Learn to create, edit, save and view databases.

Newcomer Settlement Program

On August 9 the Honourable Carl DeFaria, Ontario's Minister of Citizenship presented Skills for Change a cheque for $22,500 towards a grant of $45,000 under the Newcomer Settlement Program (NSP). The purpose of NSP is to support the early and effective settlement of newcomers to Ontario.

This grant will enable Skills for Change to:

n provide information to newcomers about programs and services

n help newcomers identify their settlement, training and employment needs

n help newcomers develop realistic action plans for obtaining and maintaining employment

n provide monthly sector-specific information sessions for internationally educated accountants, engineers, teachers and trades people

The Honourable Minister met with clients, volunteers, staff and board members of Skills for Change. The cheque was presented to Joy Seth, Chair of the Board. [More photos]

Building Networks -- Sharing Knowledge

Skills for Change has received funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Volunteer @ction.online to pilot a web-based project that will serve the voluntary sector across the province of Ontario. The project is designed to address the professional development and information needs of:

n immigrant-serving agencies providing employment services to newcomers

n internationally-trained professionals (ITPs) seeking employment in their sectors

The project will:

n create a web site providing career orientation to internationally-trained professionals, and professional resources to employment service providers in Ontario;

n build capacity for online exchange of ideas, information and resources between immigrant-serving agencies across the province;

n encourage front-line staff, volunteers and ITPs to network with their peers and with experts in their fields online;

n provide internationally-trained professionals in all parts of the province with sector-specific information, guidance and support online from volunteer mentors.

A CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
To ensure that the web site incorporates the information and resources that will be most helpful to service providers and newcomers, the project is establishing a voluntary Advisory Group made up of staff members from immigrant-serving agencies in Ontario.

The Advisory Group will:

n consult regularly with project staff;

n advise on project activities;

n provide feedback on the site design, content, and materials;

n promote the project to service providers and immigrant professionals in their regions.

If you are interested in helping to develop this provincial initiative, please contact:

Elga Nikolova
Project Coordinator
Tel: (416) 516-4689
Fax: (416) 516-8028
Email: nikolova@skillsforchange.org

Association of International Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (AIPSO)

If you are an internationally trained physician and a permanent resident of Canada you may be interested in information about medical licensing in Canada. You may also be seeking networking or social support from others international physicians in Ontario.

AIPSO has a membership of 1100 internationally-trained physicians living in Ontario. Our members come from 90 countries and have trained in over 50 specialties. AIPSO has an office in Toronto but we are in close contact with groups in Ottawa, Hamilton, London and Kitchener-Waterloo.

Traditionally, our main focus has been advocacy work to ensure that internationally trained physicians are integrated effectively and equitably into the Canadian health care system. In addition to advocacy work, we host an interactive website for AIPSO members and hold information events about the medical licensing system in Ontario and alternative health-related employment.

At www.aipso.ca you can find information on licensing, upcoming events, activities and AIPSO publications.

Our next information event about Licensing in Ontario will be held in Toronto on September 18th, 2002 at Skills for Change, 3rd Floor, 791 St Clair Avenue West at 5.30pm. If you have any questions or are interested in finding out more, please contact Melody Buchan at 416 979 8611 or by e-mail.

My Story
A regular series of stories, written by SfC clients and graduates, that describe the immigrant experience.

Multiculturalism in Canada
by Leanna Flores

Canada is a multicultural country and very cosmopolitan. There are many people from other nations. In the 1800s, people emigrated from all over Europe, they scattered across the country. Now, Canada is already a mixed, pluralistic society.

Today, Canada has an important position, where people speak different languages, follow different religions, and come from many racial and cultural backgrounds.

Canadian people must learn about other countries, their customs and cultures. Immigrants from the five continents bring industry, agriculture, religion, classic and folkloric music, and dances. Exquisite food, handicrafts made by hand or by machine, multi languages and dialects, and nice fashion. All of this is good to develop Canadian culture and education.

Young children are the foundation of tomorrow and Canada’s future where they will make a better society with more understanding of human behaviour. Now Canada is becoming a Great Nation, proud of its multicultural life. They will not have any ignorant citizens thanks to Canada’s proper effort accepting immigrants and giving them continued education.

Canada is a beautiful country and has a big heart. Today and forever, immigrants say, "Thanks, Canada. I’m grateful for all I have and continue receiving from you". We wants to work together to develop the country, bring money and happiness.

Acronym Soup

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