St. John's LIP Newsletter
May 2021

The St. John’s Local Immigration Partnership is a broad-based partnership designed to support the well-being and participation of newcomers in all aspects of life in the city, as well as to strengthen the city’s ability to integrate newcomer needs into municipal planning processes. The St. John’s LIP is co-led by the City of St. John’s and the Association for New Canadians and funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
In this Newsletter:

You will notice that there will be more links than usual, if bolded or in colour, it often means they are active and meant to be clicked. Evolving in our Post-Pandemic response to COVID-19, please be aware that workshops and webinars will, too.

 #communitymatters #createcollaboratecare
MyNewStJohns.ca
Carte de service "Mon nouveau St. John's" - Disponible
The St. John’s Local Immigration Partnership is pleased to promote their interactive, online and mobile-friendly services map to help newcomers easily find and access existing programs and services in both official languages.


Check out BOTH sites at Mon Nouveau St. Jean

Let us know if there's anything else you would like to see
added/edited - our site is currently undergoing some updates - so here's your chance to add your ideas!

Check out some of
St. John’s Local Immigration Partnerships' in the below videos

  • Academy Canada
  • Sharing Our Cultures
  • La Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador (FFTNL)
  • Skills Canada NL
  • ABC – Activate Learning
  • Public Legal Information Association of NL (PLIAN)
  • More than 20 partners and organizations in the below videos introducing themselves and their programs

Partners: News and Updates
Skills Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Introduction:
SCNL is a non-profit organization that encourages people to explore the growing opportunities in skilled trades and technology careers by offering an immersive approach to learning.

We run various programs that help individuals discover and develop the skills that will help them pursue successful careers in NL.
For the month of May, Skills Canada NL (SCNL) is partnering with ABC Life Literacy Canada to deliver their Youth Teaching Adults program to adult learners aged 18+.
These virtual workshops will provide learners with digital literacy skills that are valuable and highly used in various industries, including some skilled careers! Technology is always evolving and staying up-to-date on commonly used platforms like Google is a great way to prepare yourself for the workforce!

If you would like to register for any of the 4 workshops, please fill out the registration form by clicking the link on the poster.

Association for New Canadians

New pathways to permanent residency!

On April 14, 2021 the Government of Canada announced new pathways to permanent residency for essential temporary workers and international graduates.

These are temporary policies which will help temporary workers and international graduates who are already in Canada to apply for permanent residency.

Eligible temporary residents currently residing and working in Canada may apply for permanent residency under these new temporary public policies. 
Intake is capped; applications can be submitted starting May 6.

The Association for New Canadians is here to help!
Please contact us at applyPR@ancnl.ca for more information.

Volunteer orientation
The Association for New Canadians offers a variety of volunteer opportunities: Homework Club, conversation circles, a matching program with new arrivals, and more!

If you’d like to be part of our volunteer team, plan to attend (online) the next orientation session, May 25, 2021 3 – 4 pm

Register for the session (and to be e-mailed the Google Meets link) at:

If you can’t make that session but are interested in volunteering, please email volunteer@ancnl.ca 

Seeking translators and interpreters
The Association for New Canadians is expanding its translation and interpretation team. If you or someone you know would like to join our team, please sign up for our next virtual orientation session, scheduled for
May 25 3:30 – 5 pm

We are in particular need of the following languages: Arabic, Tigrigna, French, and Swahili.

Register for the session (and to be emailed the Google Meets link)

Newcomer Health Fair Goes Virtual

The annual newcomer health fair at the Association for New Canadians, like so many things, in our world, went virtual this year.

This transformed the annual two-day event for students at the ANC’s ESL Training Centre and first-year refugee arrivals into a semi-permanent online resource accessible to everyone. 

A variety of health fair "booths" cover topics such as mental health, women’s health, seniors, nutrition and physical, and general health. There are links to health resources and providers.

Access the Newcomer Health Fair, go HERE or navigate from ANC home page.


New radio program/podcast
Global Frequencies airs Wednesdays at 7 pm on CHMR and is available as a podcast. It features stories of newcomers and special guests, focusing on immigration, multiculturalism, and economic and cultural diversification.

You can listen to past episodes wherever you usually listen to podcasts, and see videos based on the show on the ANC’s YouTube page. 

New episodes will air on CHMR on May 5 and May 19


New Counseling Program 
The Association for New Canadians is developing ANConnect, a pan-provincial program that will offer free, low barrier single session virtual counseling to any adult newcomer, regardless of their immigration status. ANConnect Project Development Lead Ken Reid is seeking input from community partners on their experiences working with newcomers to inform development of the project.
Ken can be reached at kreid@ancnl.ca

Credential recognition
A program accessible through the Association for New Canadians is designed to address the financial barriers newcomers encounter getting their workplace credentials recognized. The Atlantic Immigrant Career Loan Fund is a community-based micro-loan program that assists internationally trained immigrants in Atlantic Canada overcome those financial barriers so they can practice and/or enter the workforce in their field or a related field. For information on the AICLF, contact AXIS, the ANC’s employment and careers division, at 709-579-1780 or axis@nfld.net

Supports for Atlantic Immigration Pilot 
The ANC continues to offer Atlantic Immigration Pilot program supports at no charge to both employers and employees. Employers interested in learning more about the AIP program can contact Zack Noel, the ANC’s AIP Officer, at 709-552-2262 or znoel@ancnl.ca. Endorsed employees who are permanent residents can contact Sonia Krajewska at skrajewska@ancnl.ca

Free Evening English Classes
The Association for New Canadians offers FREE evening English conversation classes to all newcomers. This is the perfect opportunity to practice English by speaking with others.

Because of the public health advisory in place as of this writing, Monday classes have moved to virtual meetings from 7-9 pm
Register for Monday classes HERE.

The regular online conversation class continues to meet Thursday evenings from 7-8 pm.


For more information, e-mail: linc@ancnl.ca or phone 709 726-6848.


Virtual Drop-In Sessions for Temporary Residents

The Association for New Canadians launches regular weekly drop-in sessions for temporary residents. The dates in May are May 4 and 18.

International students, temporary foreign workers, AIP employees and others are welcome to join on Zoom to ask questions and meet Sophia Solomon, the ANC’s Community Settlement/Integration Counselor and Ali Bakshi, AIP Officer.

Sophia and Ali can help with answers to questions and referrals to ANC programs, community services, and government departments, as appropriate.
A registration form will be available on the ANC website, but anyone with questions in the meantime can contact Sophia at ssolomon@ancnl.ca


Programs & Initiatives

Our popular webinar series is back!
This time our webinars will be dedicated to helping practitioners interested in bringing their programs online. 


Apply for this year’s Literacy Innovation Award 

When: Applications are due on June 1, 2021

What: The Literacy Innovation Award (LIA) is presented to Canadian organizations offering a unique and innovative adult or adult-integrated family literacy program. In addition to the top award of $20,000, up to four other submissions may be selected to receive $5,000 each.

To learn more about the LIA and how to submit your application, click here


The ABC Café - Newfoundland and Labrador is an online community event that will bring together Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to share in the spirit of hope. 

We will learn, connect, and take a collective deep breath while discussing mindfulness, cooking, soft skills, and even enjoy a live music performance all while bringing together local businesses and artists.

The event will be open to the public of Newfoundland and Labrador. Hosted by Erica Ruth Kelly, Community Specialist at ABC Life Literacy Canada, the event will include:

A Mindfulness activity

Thai Cooking for Beginners, presented by Orathai Chongmee, owner of Yes, Thai! Kitchen in St. John’s, NL

An Activate Learning workshop on Confidence, presented by Logan St Croix, Workshop Facilitator at ABC

A performance by local musician Jenina MacGillivray


Up to 100 participants who stay until the end of the event will receive a swag bag containing*:

$25.00 gift card for groceries
Activate Learning tote bag and pen

All participants will also be entered into a draw to win one of 8 $25.00 gift certificates for Yes Thai Kitchen!*

Details:
When: Tuesday, June 1, 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM, NDT

*Swag bags and gift certificate draw only open to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador*

Erica Ruth Kelly, (she/her)
Community Specialist, Activate Learning
ABC Life Literacy Canada

techKNOWtutors offers free digital literacy training for the community!

  TEAM UP WITH CSCNL's TECHKNOWTUTORS 🤝

The techKNOWtutors are excited to introduce the Digital Toolbox!
The Digital Toolbox is a FREE resource aimed at strategizing with your organization or small business to create a personalized digital action plan.

We teach you how to:
  • get your organization or small business online
  • maximize team collaboration
  • get started with social media and website creation
  • access a variety of free tools
  • and much more!

The Digital Toolbox creates a custom plan to support you with your organization's unique needs and offers additional resources and planning worksheets to get you started!

Email us at techknowtutors@cscnl.ca and learn more about us at https://techknowtutors.ca
SKILLS, LABOUR AND TRAINING
Employment Opportunities in Fish Processing Plant
 
  • Type of Work: Seasonal, at a Fish Processing Plant facility
  • Locations: Old Perlican, NL
  • Wage Range: $15.00 -16.00/ Hour
  • Accommodations are currently filled up, however, daily transportation is available to Old Perlican from St. John’s. Further details will be provided at the time of assessment.
  
Spaces are filling up fast! This is an ideal opportunity for newcomers, students, or interested candidates looking for seasonal work this summer.
 
If this appeals to you, complete a brief Expression of Interest survey here
 
Or send a resume to our Princes Gwen (hrwgci@workglobalcanada.com) with the Subject Line ‘Fish Plant Work-Spring 2021’.
Work Global Canada would like to introduce our newest residents to our province.

"We are delighted to welcome our newest arrivals to the province. The new arrivals are employed with our business clients in Deer Lake, Labrador City, and Marystown. It has been a journey and we are happy that they have achieved their goals in getting to Canada."
The Francophone Economic Development Network (RDÉE TNL) has responded to the recent global transition to virtual platforms and COVID-19 restrictions by successfully hosting Virtual Job Fairs via videoconferencing. This format allows several job candidates to interact with employers in private discussions about their business and job openings. We partner with organizations such as AXIS Career Services, Connector NL, and the St. John’s Board of Trade to successfully meet the hiring needs of employers by connecting them to qualified candidates with corresponding profiles.

Eligible job candidates who attend:
  • Are legally entitled to work in Canada
  • Are looking for work in Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Meet the hiring requirements of the employer

Please contact Alyson (services@rdeetnl.ca) or Diego (dg@rdeetnl.ca / (709) 763-4457)
for more information. We look forward to hearing from you!

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Learning one of Canada's two official languages is one of the most important skills to acquire in order to adapt to Canadian society.  

We are pleased to present 2 programs from The Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB) in partnership with Compas-FFTNL, made available online for newcomers to Newfoundland and Labrador. 

·   French For Parents - Free – online

To help immigrant parents acquire basic French skills in order to accompany their children in the francophone school system. 

·   French Second Language (CLB 1 to 7) - Free - hybrid

The CCNB offers free language classes in French for newcomers (Permanent Residents).  
These classes provide basic language and employability skills to help immigrants integrate into Canadian society.  
When: Classes will take place twice a week (days to be confirmed) 

·   Language skills for the workplace - Free – online 

Language skills for the workplace is a set of resources and videos that provides the tools you need to increase your understanding of French regionalisms and improve your English. 

Duration: 10 weeks

Who are these workshops for:
francophone permanent residents of Canada 

How to register: Limited number of places. Students wishing to participate in “ French for parents” ; “French Second Language” ; “ Language skills for the workplace” classes must fill this Registration Form or contact Sarah Loo, Recruitment and Liaison officer for the CCNB in Newfoundland and Labrador: sarah.loo@ccnb.ca or by calling +1 709-730-1270.
Food First NL: Save The Date
Save the Date! 

Join us on May 5th for a Food Action Planning Meeting in St. John's

  • Results and issues from the St. John's Food Assessment will be shared 
  • Learn what's happening in your neighborhood and what action is needed

Details to be confirmed; please contact Sarah Crocker sarahcrocker@foodfirstnl.ca for more information
Newfoundland Public Library
Now OPEN to foot traffic!
Online Events for St. John’s Libraries
Go to the A.C. Hunter, Marjorie Mews, and Michael Donovan Facebook pages for more information about the events and how to register!

Tuesday, May 4 @ 2pm
Mother’s Day MugUp with Dale Jarvis
A.C. Hunter Library 

Wednesday, May 5 @ 7pm
Family History Workshop
A.C. Hunter Library

Thursday, May 6, 2021 @ 4pm
Book Week Author Reading - Monique Polak
A.C. Hunter Library

Thursday, May 6 @ 7pm
Spring Clearing
A.C. Hunter Library

Tuesday, May 11 @ 7pm
Family Finance Fun
A.C. Hunter Library

Wednesday, May 12 @ 7pm
Spring Foraging
A.C. Hunter Library

Friday, May 14 @ 2pm
Retiree Book Club
A.C. Hunter Library

Tuesday, May 18 @ 6pm
Family Mystery Night
A.C. Hunter Library

Wednesday, May 19 @ 10am
Chair Yoga
A.C. Hunter Library

Thursday, May 20 @ 7pm
Author Reading
A.C. Hunter Library

Tuesday, May 25 @ 2pm
Library Knit & Yarn
A.C. Hunter Library

Thursday, May 27 @ 7pm
Backyard Astronomy
A.C. Hunter Library 
Our Evolution program is now accepting applications for the next co-hort:
 
Evolution Program
Validate your startup idea in 8 weeks!
Evolution is Genesis’ pre-incubator program. It is an 8-week intensive program designed for early stage technology start-ups. With experiential learning at the core of the program, Evolution immerses entrepreneurs to engage their potential customers, while receiving mentorship from Genesis’ extensive advisor network. The program helps entrepreneurs quickly identify their markets, validate their idea, and find Problem Solution Fit.

Evolution will help you :
  • Clarify your company’s unique value proposition.
  • Understand your target market & potential revenue streams.
  • Get connected with experienced mentors.
  • Identify your first customers and early adopters. 
  • Learn how to pitch your idea effectively.
 

The Nigerian Canadian Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (NCANL) Inc. now has a new website - www.ncanl.ca
The website is packed with interesting information and all that there is to know about us and more!
Submit Your Events and Get Involved

Do you have an upcoming event the community should know about? Would you like us to highlight a successful program or initiative? Get in touch if you wish to have your organization's work or event included in our newsletter.

We send out a monthly newsletter, so please send your June updates by May 26, 2021!

The St. John’s LIP also has many opportunities for you to get involved. It is comprised of over 60 volunteers who participate through involvement on the Partnership Council or on one of our three working groups: Welcoming + Wellness, Employment + Skilled Labour, and Education + Training - we welcome your passion in one of these areas to help us uplift and empower our newcomer community.

Contact sgardner@stjohns.ca for more information or to get involved.

Follow us on Twitter @StJohnsLIP
tweets organized by Communications Dept of The City of St. John's - communications@stjohns.ca