Host Program Report 2005/2006
For the period April 1, 2005, to March 31, 2006.

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 138 individuals were recruited into the Host program.

Volunteers

48 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. Evaluation forms were sent to volunteers on completion of their match.

Newcomers

90 newcomers were matched.  Newcomers were from Somalia, China, Sierra Leone, Philippines, India, El Salvador, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, Iran, Sudan, Algeria, Kosovo and Thailand. The largest group was from China, followed by Sierra Leone and Somalia.

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’s web site, Lakehead University Volunteer Fair, Thunder Bay Association of Volunteer Administrators (TBAVA) brochure, Volunteer Thunder Bay!, and the TBMA display at the Folklore Festival held in Fort William Gardens.  Promoted Host at launch of the official Thunder Bay Code for Volunteer Involvement (adopted by city council). Staff teamwork was a large source of creating awareness of Host. Many referrals came through LINC, ISAP, Job Search, D.O.O.R.S. and TBMA staff.

Coordinator responded to numerous requests by Host Clients and Volunteers.  Some of these included providing transportation to match meetings, job references, information and referrals to other schools and agencies, networking opportunities for personal and profes-sional growth and experience,  information workshops on various topics of concern to newcomers, information booklets for newcomers on settlement issues, contact with other settlement agencies to introduce newcomers moving from our community into their community, sources of clothing and household supplies for urgent needs, and numerous other services.

To promote awareness of the program, multiculturalism, cultural sensitivity and settlement issues, 35 public education sessions were conducted, reaching more than 500 people. These events took place as presentations, displays, group gatherings, information networking, meetings, etc.

Networking and liaison with individuals and agencies was also an important means of promoting Host. Coordinator’s participation with TBAVA and World Vision 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.  An ad was placed in the Chronicle-Journal during National Volunteer Week in April to express appreciation to all TBMA volunteers. A formal dinner with a guest speaker and certificate and gift presentation was held for Host volunteers and a guest.

Host coordinator’s professional development included attending a legal information workshop for immigrant and refugee women, hosted by Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence gainst Women and Children (METRAC). The topics were Women Experiencing Violence, Custody & Access and Child Protection.  TBAVA provided training on Discipline and Dismissal of Volunteers, Risk Management, New Child Restraint legislation, Declining Prospective Volunteers, the importance of having a purpose, mandate and direction and Developing Effective Community Partnerships.  Coordinator and co-chair provided a 2-day workshop to staff of TBMA, Thunder Bay Information and Referral Centre and Kenora Multicultural Association.  Topic was Settlement Information and Referral. Coordinator assisted with fundraising efforts for Tsunami relief for orphanage in Sri Lanka.