Civic and Social Inclusion
What is it?
Civic and social inclusion is directly tied to an immigrant’s integration process; an immigrant who is included in the civic and social life of their community is much more likely to feel integrated and at home. Civic inclusion is defined as immigrants’ participation in local decision-making processes, while social inclusion is the integration of immigrants into community social networks.
How are we prioritizing it?
We are committed to fostering civic and social inclusion by connecting immigrants with meaningful volunteer opportunities. Additionally, some of these volunteer positions will also benefit from newcomer and immigrant perspectives, including parent councils, boards, school lunch programs, and local faith groups.
Community Readiness
What is it?
Community readiness means that our community has the knowledge and tools to successfully welcome immigrants. Integration of immigrants is a two-way street; community members need to be willing to welcome newcomers just as much as newcomers must be willing to settle in our community. By making community readiness a priority, we work to ensure the successful integration of newcomers.
How are we prioritizing it?
STELIP supports a range of community engagement strategies and community-based public education that improve community readiness, including the establishment of opportunities for local immigrants to share their culture and their immigration stories. Other initiatives prioritize creating opportunities for established residents to interact and develop relationships with immigrants, such as Global Flavours, Community Conversations, Multiculturalism Day, and Diversify Your Art. We also work with local governments to inform the creation of immigrant attraction and retention policies. Altogether, these strategies foster understanding, learning and growth as a community.
Education
What is it?
Education can mean many things, but in the scope of our priorities, education focuses specifically on immigrants’ access to language and literacy supports. Speaking English is a significant asset for immigrants navigating and integrating into life in St. Thomas and Elgin County. A knowledge of English can help immigrants access employment and foster social connections.
How are we prioritizing it?
We are committed to improving the accessibility and appropriateness of language classes, as well as improving awareness of language training opportunities, by building connections between the community, English Language Learner (ELL) providers, and school boards. Overall, we advocate for flexible language learning that is suited for our rural context.
Workforce Development and Employer Supports
What is it?
Workforce planning and development is essential to ensure a healthy labour market, where labour gaps are filled and all members of the community are engaged. Since gaining local employment is often a major focus for new immigrants, one of our priorities is supporting workforce development and strengthening support for employers hiring immigrants. When immigrants are successfully integrated into the local labour market, they help drive economic growth, and they are more likely to stay in the region. Therefore, it is vital to support workforce development and strengthen employer supports.
How are we prioritizing it?
We work with local municipalities, employment agencies, and workforce development committees to provide information about hiring immigrants, including understanding the Labour Market Impact Assessments needed for the Express Entry immigration application. We keep up to date on federal immigration policy in order to share the most accurate information with our community partners.
Equitable Services
What is it?
Equitable services mean that every newcomer, regardless of ability or needs, is able to access and benefit from relevant services. When all newcomers are able to access required services, they are better able to meet their own needs and integrate into the community.
How are we prioritizing it?
We are committed to working towards equitable services by working with community partners to increase awareness of available immigrant services and supports, strengthening referral networks between agencies that serve immigrants, and developing programs that meet immigrants’ needs. Additionally, we work to gather local statistics to identify strategies to improve immigrant services and supports. We recognize a specific focus on newcomer youth, which we address through our partnerships with local school boards and settlement agencies. Other areas of focus include equitable supports in healthcare, housing, and childcare. Our annual Walk With Me service providing networking event directly speaks to this priority by bringing together local service providers to improve knowledge, service delivery, and referrals.
