Host Program Report
For the Period April 1, 2004, to March 31, 2005
The Host Program helps adult newcomers
and their children adjust to new life in Canada. The Program
matches community volunteers with newcomers to help them feel more
at home in their new country by assisting them in overcoming
language barriers and adapting to life in Canada. The Host Program
recruits and trains volunteer hosts and then establishes compatible
matches between them and new immigrants based on gender, similar
interests, family size, age and profession.
Recruitment
A total of 114 individuals were
recruited into the Host program.
Volunteers
30 qualifying individual volunteers
were recruited into the Host program. Volunteers were screened and
received volunteer training that included orientation to program
and agency roles and responsibilities, information on country of
newcomer's origin, assurance of ongoing support and follow-up from
Host coordinator.
Newcomers
84 newcomers were matched. Newcomers
were from Myanmar, Somalia, China, Russia, Yugoslavia, Sierra
Leone, South Korea, Guatemala, Ukraine, Philippines, India, El
Salvador, Germany and Pakistan. The largest group was from Myanmar
followed by Somalia and China.
Promotion and Outreach
Mass marketing initiatives included
public service announcements to 4 radio stations, Shaw Cable , The
Chronicle Journal, Thunder Bay Post, Thunder Bay Telephone
Directory, displays at Intercity Mall, distribution of posters and
brochures to various city locations, Volunteer Opportunity in
Thunder Bay (Chronicle Journal Supplement), Volunteer
Opportunities Exchange (V.O.E.) web site, TBMA web site, Lakehead
University Volunteer Fair, Thunder Bay Association of Volunteer
Administrators (TBAVA) brochure, Volunteer Thunder Bay! and
Folklore Festival displays at Intercity Mall and Fort William
Gardens. Staff teamwork was a large source of creating awareness
of Host. Many referrals came through LINC as well as from ISAP,
Job Search, our Program Director and office staff.
To promote awareness of the program,
multiculturalism, cultural sensitivity and settlement issues, 45
public education sessions were conducted reaching more than 975
people. These events took place as presentations, displays, group
gatherings, information networking, meetings, etc.
Networking and liaison with individuals
and agencies were also an important means of promoting Host.
Coordinators participation with TBAVA and Neighbourlink gave
opportunities to share with other community agencies.
Two volunteers were recognized at the
Salute to Volunteers event (TBAVA). Volunteers were sent a note of
thanks and a certificate upon completion of their match.
Host coordinators professional
development included attending the Settlement Information and
Referral Train the Trainers workshops. This information was then
used to train all TBMA staff, staff from the Kenora Multicultural
Centre, and Community Information and Referral Thunder Bay.
Coordinator attended the first National Host Conference.
Information sessions were provided to TBMA staff by professionals
on the topics of Family Law and Wills, Wills and Powers of
Attorney, Social Housing, Ontario Ombudsmans responsibilities,
Survivors of Torture, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Compassion
Fatigue and Dealing with Stress. TBAVA provided training on Risk
Management and Discipline and Dismissal of Volunteers.
Back to Programs and Services Report 2004/2005
Back to Annual
Report 2004/2005
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