The Syrian Refugee Crisis A NewToBC Presentation and Discussion - - PDF document

The Syrian Refugee Crisis

A NewToBC Presentation and Discussion

November 24th, 2015

Prepared by PEERs Employment and Education Resources Inc.

ThE SyRIAN REfugEE CRISIS A NewToBC PRESENTATIoN AND DISCuSSIoN SummARy REPoRT

2 Summary Report of Roundtable Discussion

Event Overview On November 24th, NewToBC hosted a three hour presentation and discussion session focused on the Syrian refugee crisis. Nearly 100 library management and staff attended from across the InterLINK library systems. Two presentations were provided by subject areas experts: Dan Hiebert, Professor of Geography at UBC and expert in the fjeld of refugee migration and Chris Friesen, Director

• f Settlement at ISSofBC and the Chair the Canadian Immigrant Settlement Sector Alliance.

The presentations provided:

• the background and context for the

Syrian crisis;

• an overview of global refugee numbers

and the migration of Syrian refugees;

• an update on the numbers of refugees

being sponsored by Canada (both government and privately sponsored) – short term and long term projections;

• a sense of the numbers coming

into BC;

• an understanding of the supports

they will need and what has been put into place / what is being advocated for; and

• some understanding of the print,

web and other resources available to help organizations prepare. Discussion Summary

After the presentation, attendees participated in small group discussions focused on what libraries can do as individual systems or branches and what might InterLINK lead to support the settlement of Syrian refugees. The following sections provide a summary of the discussions and recommendations from the library round table examinations of the two questions provided following Dr. Dan Hiebert and Chris Friesen’s presenta-

• tions. The responses have been categorized into key

themes with supporting information and specifjc suggestions listed below. The themes and recommendations for Question 1 should not be viewed as a checklist where all of the actions should be achieved, but rather as a reference for individual libraries and their staff to consider and plan localized responses. It is important to note that since this event, the Provincial Government has funded some initiatives to support Syrian settlement. ISSofBC has received funding to develop resources and training for community agencies and the province is in the process

• f funding fjve Refugee Response Teams (RRTs) across

the province to ensure community efforts are understood, communicated and coordinated. RRTs will include libraries and some of the suggestions below may be undertaken and / or led by the RRTs. In order to support library service and program planning and to avoid duplication, information on these initiatives has been included in the Next Steps section of this report. Responses to Question 2 are being reviewed by the NewToBC Steering Committee and the project team in consideration of the provincially funded initiatives. The Steering Committee has identifjed some potential training and resources development activities; these have been briefmy described in the Next Steps section.

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• 1. What ideas do you have for your library / library system to support refugee

settlement in your community(s)?

• A. Centralize information for Syrian refugees: “one-stop-shop” information centre where Syrian

refugees and community will be able to fjnd information

• Centralize info space about refugee

and crisis as well as information for refugees (like the Skilled Immigrant Info Centre)

• Highlight / promote NewToBC

material in the library

• Develop information for our

community: Who are the refugees What is the political situation How is Canada responding How can individuals help What other countries are doing Refer donors

• Develop a refugee focussed

resource guide

• Promote library as hub of information

– event calendar: put opportunities in

• Add information specifjcally for

refugees on website

• B. Collaborate with immigrant service providers and community agencies
• Community work (working with

community groups); go where they are; meet them 1st

• Partner with other community

agencies / fjnancial agencies to help refugees become aware of the services offered by the library, i.e. bank – fjnancial info. for refugees

• Gather and compile an information

package on how to help in conjunction with immigrant serving organization

• Work with VSB to support school

staff with resources / facilitating tour

• f local libraries, technology available

@ VPL; Guide in Arabic

• Talk to the United Churches on

the North Shore who are sponsoring refugees

• Welcoming event /open house

where community partners could share resources; would need to partner with agencies; working with refugees to promote event

• Welcome to school in Canada (like

welcome to kindergarten)

• C. Enhance collections to fjt needs of Syrian refugees, including collections in Arabic
• Enhance Arabic collections
• Offer Arabic story times and

programs (possibly through MOSIAC

• r other settlement organizations)
• Showcase / promote Syrian displays

and related book lists

• Promote online Arabic newspapers

and support refugees to fjnd / use them

• Create human library
• Form an advisory committee to assist

with enhancing Arabic collection

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• D. Leverage Library Champions program and offer more mentoring services to Syrian refugees; recruit

mentors, champions or buddies to help Syrian refugees better use the services available in local libraries and community agencies

• Identify Champions that speak Arabic
• Establish mentoring program

One-on-one relationships between residents and refugees Get existing programs to discuss Organize town hall meeting

• Organize peer support groups (teens,

seniors, etc.) with already settled immigrants (library champions) to provide buddies, community connections etc.

• Identify frequent library patrons to be a

“library buddy” and welcome refugees

• Use the Library Champions in other

programming - displays in multiple languages

• Organize Library Champions to give

refugees library tours

• Inform refugee mentors of library

resources; give refugees tour

• E. Offer information, workshops and training sessions to library staff and local residents to increas the

awareness and support to Syrian refugees

• Organize an information night for

the public

• Collect information to disseminate

to the public; develop info guide / sheets on how to help refugees (list

• f places to donate, etc.)
• Educate staff
• Develop / support public awareness

campaign F . Offer language support, including welcome package and signs in Arabic, translation and interpretation services

• Create and post welcome signs in
• ther languages and in Arabic
• Seek out Arabic speaking patrons to

volunteer with refugees

• Promote ESL conversation circles

using posters at refugee centres

• Build and / or translate registration

forms and welcome brochures in Arabic

• G. Reduce barriers to accessing libraries: offer transportation to libraries, accept temporary address to

register for a library card, and outreach to refugee families

• Organize tours for refugees in tempo-

rary housing – bussed to the library

• Reduce barriers to getting a library

card: provide a temporary card where a permanent address is not required; allow an agency address to stand for an address

• Provide refugees with library card at

initial welcoming agency

• Create a standard intro card (lasts 6

months, 5 items max.)

• Approach new refugee families with

children’s books (picture/wordless)

• H. Offer welcoming events and/or open house at local libraries
• Organize welcoming event /open

house where community partners could share resources; would need to partner with agencies; working with refugees to promote event

• Organize cultural event in library

with food

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• I. Offer settlement services and skills training in libraries
• Give space to settlement and agen-

cies to do programs and meet clients

• Create letter writing centres
• Provide computer training and

assistance

• J. Listen to Syrian refugees
• Give refugees a chance to tell

their story

• 2. Across InterLINK systems, what role can NewToBC take to support refugee settlement?
• A. Expand the Library Champions Project
• Expand the Library Champions

project – to include refugees

• Ask the Champions to be involved
• Have NewToBC programs at each

library

• Identify Arabic speaking volunteers

from the library champions program who may be available to work with libraries to develop programs

• Establish an InterLINK / NewToBC

working group

• B. Centralize information for Syrian refugees via NewToBC
• Feature an Arabic speaker / Syrian

video on NewToBC.ca who is a library champion

• Provide basic community info on

NewToBC.ca (fjnances, food, transit, library)

• Develop a NewToBC info campaign
• Develop a NewToBC welcome page
• Use NewToBC posters in library to

inform patrons about refugees

• C. Recruit Arabic speaking team member(s)
• Bring on an Arabic speaking

coordinator at NewToBC

• D. Offer further education to increase public awareness and understanding about Syrian refugee crisis

and resettlement

• Create an information session that is

portable to every library for staff and for public

• Put together poster board – “how can

I help”

• Create information page for residents

(ISSofBC profjles)

• Come into the library and provide

presentations to residents who want to volunteer

• Develop webinar – BCLA
• Deliver presentations to community

similar to what we had today

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• E. Provide library staff with training sessions and workshops to increase understanding of refugees and

their needs

• Provide staff training in cultural

sensitivity, mental health of refugees

• Provide libraries with printed materials
• Provide NewToBC training for front-

line library staff

• Develop detailed list / workshop of

community resources and agencies including what immigration status the agencies serve

• Develop InterLINK workshop for

children’s librarians to ensure culturally appropriate programs F . Make information more accessible for Syrian refugees: enhance multilingual resources and materials; make information available graphically (animated)

• Create resource package for new

refugees (bilingual)

• Make info available graphically

(animated) instead of /as well as written in English

• Provide centralized resources i.e.

translations for signs, printable materials like welcome signs, bookmarks, etc.

• Create kits that would be uniform

across InterLINK catered to Syrian refugees

• Create consistent signage across

InterLINK systems welcoming refugees; with Arabic welcoming information available

• G. Discuss, share and collaborate among libraries and local community agencies
• Share information with other libraries

– Practices, Successes, Failures

• Use the “Toolshed” to share
• InterLINK collaborate with

refugee centres for best ways to welcome refugees

Current Responses and Next Steps As mentioned in the Discussion Summary section of this report, since this November 24th session, the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training has offered fjnancial support from the BC Refugee Readiness Fund for a number of initiatives to support the resettlement of Syrian refugees. Information about these initiatives have been included in this report as an update and to avoid duplication of efforts. Below this description, the training and resource development activities currently being considered by NewToBC on behalf of InterLINK have been listed and briefly described. The following provides a brief overview of the initiatives funded by the Refugee Readiness Fund.

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Refugee Readiness Fund Overview

The Government of Canada has jurisdiction over the national immigration system, including refugee

• resettlement. However, recognizing the severity of the

global humanitarian crisis in Syria, the Government of B.C. has created the Refugee Readiness Fund (Fund), a one-time investment of $1 million to enhance federal and provincial refugee programs and provide additional resources for communities and private sponsors who are working to bring refugees to B.C. The Fund will complement rather than duplicate provincial and federal settlement and employment

• services. The Fund’s fjve initial areas of focus are:
• Trauma counselling and psycho-social supports
• ‘Groups of Five’ private sponsorship support
• Community-level supports and welcoming

communities

• Foreign credential recognition
• Employer and labour market attachment supports

Initiatives Funded by the Refugee Readiness Fund

• 1. Metro Vancouver – Vancouver,

Burnaby, New Westminster, Rich- mond, Tsawassen, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, and area.

• 2. Fraser Valley – Surrey, White Rock,

Delta, Langley, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and area

• 3. Vancouver Island – Victoria and

Nanaimo

• 4. Okanagan – Kamloops and Kelowna
• 5. Cariboo – Prince George

RRTs are consortia made up of multiple community partners (including libraries) and will collaborate

• n identifying refugee needs and means to address

these needs at a community / regional level. RRTs will develop action plans and work over the next year to implement these plans. The RRTs are expected to be the local resource for information and communications about Syrian refugee resettlement. The RRTs are expected to work on initiatives within their respective communities and refmective of needs within their immediate community. It is expected that the RRTs will feed information and statistics to the Refugee Readiness Hub (see below) – a website managed by ISSofBC. Refugee Readiness Hub The Refugee Readiness Hub is a province-wide “how to help” portal. Through the Refugee Readiness Hub, visitors can learn about Syria, read the latest status of the arrival of refugees and fjnd local resettlement pro- grams and services. The Hub has just gone “live” and is a work in progress; information will be updated regularly and new sections and information will be added. Visit the hub at: http://www.issbc.org/prim-corp-nav/

• ur-work-with-refugees/refugee-readiness-hub

ISSofBC is also developing newsletters focused on Syrian Refugee Resettlement. These newsletters will be published on a weekly basis until February and then

• monthly. The newsletters can also be found on the

Hub website. Refugee Response Teams The province put out a call for proposals to establish RRTs in December 2015. Proposals are currently being evaluated and successful proponents will be notifjed shortly with the intent that the RRTs are established at the beginning of February 2016. RRTs have been funded as a one-time initiative and all activities will be completed by March 2017. Five RRTs will be put in place across the province to cover the following regions.

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Trauma Related Clinician Support It is anticipated that many Syrian Refugees will require

• counselling. ISSofBC will develop and operate a

1-800 clinical consultation line, build trauma needs and vulnerability assessment tools and will facilitate trauma support groups. Refugee Readiness Workshops ISSofBC will develop and deliver fjve 2-day refugee readiness workshops (one in each of the fjve RRT regions). These will be recorded and posted as videos and / or audio presentations on the Hub. Foreign Credential Recognition and Employment Supports Credential recognition and employment supports were also identifjed as priorities and the province will be pursuing avenues outside the currently identifjed funds such as reprioritizing projects to ensure foreign credential recognition and employer and labour market needs are met. Through the Canada-BC Job Grant, up to $1.5 million will support skills training to assist refugees and new Canadians to gain employment, in partnership with sector/industry associations and

• employers. The fjrst stream of $1.0 million will focus

specifjcally on refugees while the second $500,000 stream will be open to refugees, protected persons entitled to work in Canada, and new immigrants (arrived within the last fjve years).

Potential Initiatives for NewToBC / InterLINK The following provides a brief overview of the training and resource development activities being considered by NewToBC.

Training / Dialogues

• 1. Develop a webinar / online training tool so

library staff could access training without hav- ing to commit to attending an event. Focus on refugee myth busting and information that can be posted online / shared across the various libraries.

• 2. Organize and host a series of Presentations /

Dialogues (5) – these would be designed and delivered in a consistent manner across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. The focus of these sessions would on identifying and explor- ing the benefjts and contributions of refugees / immigrants to Canada. The sessions would be professionally moderated, may involve expert presenters and would be for both library staff and the community at large. The sessions may be recorded as pod-casts.

• 3. Partner with the Philosopher’s Café to develop

a series of community dialogues – these would focus on “contextualizing” Canadian immigra- tion and obtaining a better understanding of human migration currently and historically. Resource development

• 4. Develop Refugee Book List and Poster (in

progress) – this list is being developed collab-

• ratively amongst InterLINK libraries and profes-

sional designed and then distributed through the library systems and NewToBC and its social media channels.

• 5. Develop a refugee information kit that can be

shared across libraries – the kit would include information that provides the history / context

• f the Syrian refugee crisis and information

about arrivals in Canada as well as information about the history of immigration to Canada and human migration in general. Other ideas

• 1. Expand and promote the Library Champions

Program to ensure it is inclusive of refugees.

• 2. Use NewToBC blogs to research and share

information on refugee issues such as the trans- portation tax and its recent exemption, and the historical context of refugees an immigration to BC and Canada.