2003-35MINISTER CODERRE ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF THE 2003 CITATION FOR CITIZENSHIPOTTAWA, October 1, 2003 -- An 80-year-old Oshawa woman who has personally welcomed more than 40,000 new Canadians, and a Sherbrooke organization that has been helping immigrants for almost 50 years are among the 20 recipients of the 2003 Citation for Citizenship announced by Citizenship and Immigration Minister Denis Coderre today. The Citation for Citizenship is an award that honours Canadian individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions in assisting newcomers to successfully integrate into Canadian society."All the recipients of the Citation for Citizenship have one thing in common," said Minister Coderre. "They are passionate in their desire to help newcomers start their new lives in Canada so that they can reach their full potential as quickly as possible."Oshawa resident Frances C. Jones is typical of the dedication shown by Citation recipients. She has served for 34 years as a volunteer at citizenship ceremonies in the Oshawa area. At the age of 80, her energy and enthusiasm are still evident in all aspects of her life. She has been honoured with life memberships in the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire, the Robert McLaughlin Art Gallery Volunteers and the Oshawa Art Association, and was named a Woman of Distinction for community service by the YWCA.The Service d'aide aux néo-Canadiens of Sherbrooke, Quebec, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2004. Since the organization began its work in 1954, it has helped tens of thousands of immigrants settle in the Sherbrooke area. It offers services in 25 languages, and relies on a network of 150 individuals who provide 15,000 hours of volunteer work annually.Other recipients helped new immigrants and refugees when they arrived in Canada; developed and carried out educational and counselling programs, including language training; promoted the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship; and ensured that equal opportunities existed with respect to race and ethnicity.Eleven of the recipients will receive their awards at a special event to be held in conjunction with the National Settlement Conference in Calgary on October 4. Local Citation presentation ceremonies will also be organized in all the recipients' communities during Canada's Citizenship Week, October 13-19, 2003.The award consists of a gold maple leaf pin and a certificate signed by the Minister. The recipients were nominated by individuals and organizations from the voluntary, private and public sectors, and were chosen by a CIC selection panel."Canada's approach to welcoming and integrating newcomers is unique," said Minister Coderre. "It is a two-way process in which newcomers strive to adapt to their new communities and country while Canadians reach out to assist them. Through the hard work and dedication of thousands of individuals like Frances C. Jones, and organizations like the Service d'aide aux néo-Canadiens, more and more newcomers are becoming active members of their communities."Attached is the complete list of Citation recipients. More information on Canada's Citizenship Week is available at http://www.cic.gc.ca-30-For more information (media only):Sarah Bain Press Secretary Office of the Minister (613) 954-1064Jean-Pierre Morin Media Relations Communications Branch (613) 941-7712PROFILES OF THE 2003 CITATION FOR CITIZENSHIP RECIPIENTSBRITISH COLUMBIALiza So (Burnaby)"I will always remember the pleasure and anxiety of becoming a Canadian resident," says Liza So, who arrived in Canada from Hong Kong in 1992. Liza began her career in Vancouver, where she saw the challenges that many fellow immigrants faced as they tried to overcome cultural differences and language barriers when dealing with government agencies.A Canadian citizen since 1995, Liza wanted others to share her experience as a new Canadian. "It would be wonderful to see more immigrants have new and happy lives in Canada," she thought. She enlisted the help of her colleagues from a variety of professions and started the Association of Professionals in Vancouver (APV) in 2001. APV volunteers share their expertise to help new immigrants, particularly from China, adapt to life in Canada.Liza has worked tirelessly to organize seminars and community activities. The APV has published a booklet, written in Chinese, that provides information on medical and educational services and on government agencies that help new immigrants to Canada. The APV is also developing a Web site that can be used by potential immigrants to learn more about Canada.In addition to her volunteer work with the APV, Liza is also very active in fundraising for the British Columbia Children's Hospital.Paul Mulangu (Vancouver)Paul Mulangu has first-hand experience of the difficulties that many immigrants face in a new country. A year after his arrival in Canada in 1996, Paul experienced tragedy when he lost his home to fire. His search for accommodations for himself and his two children highlighted the lack of services that were available to single fathers.Paul turned to the Congolese community for help and discovered that many Blacks were unemployed or underemployed. Using skills he had acquired working in a refugee camp in Zambia, he established the Centre of Integration for African Immigrants (CIAI). The CIAI is a community resource where recent immigrants can get help finding housing and jobs, upgrading their education, accessing translation services and resolving immigration and related legal problems. The CIAI also provides office space and equipment for members of the African community.Paul has worked tirelessly to find benefactors for the CIAI, which currently serves more than a hundred people a month. He has continued to upgrade his qualifications and education, and has been active in British Columbia's Francophone community to bring attention to the challenges faced by French-speaking immigrants from Africa.Penticton and District Multicultural SocietySince 1976, the Penticton and District Multicultural Society (PDMS) has organized a variety of workshops, seminars and festivals that have helped thousands of newcomers integrate into Canadian society.The PDMS works with the community to deliver programs that teach English as a second language and helps immigrants adapt to their new community in several ways. The HOST program matches immigrants with local residents who introduce them to their new community, while the Buddy Program brings together Canadian-born and foreign-born children for weekly activities. The PDMS also organizes Penticton's multicultural festival, a very popular annual event.Each year, PDMS staff members and volunteers work more than 10,000 hours to support the various programs."Much of the credit goes to the many wonderful volunteers," says PDMS President Lakhvinder Jhaj. "We could not operate without them."One of the greatest rewards for the staff and volunteers is seeing many immigrants return to the PDMS to help other newcomers to Canada.ALBERTAFariborz Birjandian (Calgary)Fariborz Birjandian came to Calgary with his family as a refugee from Iran in 1988, and immediately began using his educational background and skills to help newcomers to Calgary. "I was fascinated by the generosity of Canadians and I wanted to repay them," he says.Fariborz believes that we each have a responsibility to make things better for the people around us. This is evident in his work as Executive Director of the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) and in his many volunteer activities. Through the CCIS, Fariborz has developed programs to help immigrants access employment, and he has influenced the development of policies for immigrant programs at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.A Canadian citizen since 1992, Fariborz initiated a program to help new Canadians upgrade their skills and integrate into the labour market, and developed strategies to help newcomers start their own businesses. He is dedicated to promoting the benefits of diversity and diversity management. Fariborz has also worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to develop a handbook to guide the reception and integration of resettled refugees.Fariborz's exceptional leadership and his ability to see issues from the point of view of refugees and immigrants have made him a highly respected role model for other service providers.Calgary Bridge Foundation for YouthIn its first year, the Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth (CBFY) served "about 20 to 30 clients," says Executive Director Harry Yee. In just a dozen years since then, it has grown into one of the most innovative and effective agencies in its field. "We've helped a lot of people," says Harry, who adds that CBFY now serves about 1,200 people annually, and has helped over 10,000 immigrants since 1990.The CBFY helps immigrants of all ages find jobs and housing, learn about and access community resources, succeed in school and pursue higher education. The organization delivers life skills programs through 11 schools, three public libraries, homework clubs, and a family program run in private homes. It also organizes field trips, family fun nights, Christmas dinners and other special events. CFBY programming helps its clients become self-sufficient, confident and contributing members of Canadian society.For Harry, the most gratifying part of his work is to see how successful many CBFY clients have become. "They appreciate what we have done for them. They remember, and many of them come back as volunteers and program leaders," he says.Catholic Social Services Immigration and Settlement Service (Edmonton)Established in the 1950s in Edmonton, the Catholic Social Services--Immigration and Settlement Service is among the pioneer settlement programs in Western Canada.The agency offers many services from which to draw inspiration. Over the past 40 years, it has developed a comprehensive range of social, educational and employment services that help immigrants and refugees settle in Canada and integrate into Canadian society. It serves more than 10,000 newcomers a year from all cultures, religions and ethnic origins. Services are available in English, French and 40 other languages at five locations in Edmonton and Red Deer. The agency works collaboratively with over 90 mainstream, community and ethnocultural organizations, and counts on a dedicated core of approximately 500 volunteers.The agency has also been an active participant and leader in public consultations, providing advice on policy development in the fields of immigration, refugees, citizenship, education, training, mental health and other social policy fields.SASKATCHEWANLinda Dirkson (Moose Jaw)Linda Dirkson has been Executive Director of the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council (MJMC) for more than 13 years, helping to create a supportive and welcoming environment for newcomers to her community.Linda oversees several programs that assist with the settlement, orientation and education of newcomers to her community. Her vision and foresight, and her spirit of generosity, compassion and concern ensure that appropriate programs are in place to help newcomers adapt to their new home.Linda credits everyone involved with the MJMC for the success of its programs. "We work very closely as a team with the board of directors and a dedicated staff," she says.Linda tirelessly promotes understanding between newcomers and their community and works to encourage appreciation of cultural diversity. She has worked on several provincial and federal groups dedicated to the settlement of newcomers and was part of the organizing committee for the National Settlement Conference, to be held in Calgary in October 2003.Linda's greatest joy is seeing Canada's newest residents become contented, independent individuals. "In settlement work we really see results," she says. "We see families achieving independence. There are wonderful success stories."MANITOBAKenn Green (Winnipeg)Kenn Green has been an active volunteer with the Manitoba Citizenship Council's International Centre of Winnipeg (ICW) since he retired from teaching 11 years ago.Kenn began his volunteer career by assisting Asian refugees in the early eighties. He has tutored newcomers in English and developed English as a second language (ESL) workshops for tutors, in addition to initiating a driver education workshop for newcomers and conversation classes.Kenn has also designed a course to train volunteer interpreters for the ICW. This enables them to help newcomers better understand and make their way through legal, employment and social situations. The course is in its seventh year.Kenn is currently assisting with ESL classes at the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council's Welcome Place, working with refugees from Africa and the Middle East. He also finds time to assist a number of Korean nurses studying in Winnipeg.An active member of the Manitoba Camera Club for over 20 years, Kenn shares his love of photography by teaching a photography course for newcomers. He also teaches occasionally for Creative Retirement Manitoba. Kenn has made many new friends by sharing his experience and enthusiasm for teaching. "Just being a friend is often what newcomers need when they come to this country," he says.Franco-Manitoban Society (Saint-Boniface)The Société franco-manitobaine is the advocate for Manitoba's Francophone community, promoting its growth and fulfilment. In 2002, it held a day of reflection on ways to encourage Francophone immigration to the province. The priorities identified included developing a welcoming structure for these newcomers, conducting large-scale awareness activities and promoting Manitoba internationally. A total of 150 participants from various community organizations joined in this event. A follow-up committee was also established.For people interested in Manitoba's French culture, the society offers a telephone information service focusing on employment, newcomers and other key subjects. It also publishes an information kit to help Francophones coming to the province.The society is working on an action plan to increase capacities to recruit, select, welcome and integrate newcomers into French minority-language communities.ONTARIOFrances C. Jones (Oshawa)Frances C. Jones is a dedicated volunteer who has personally welcomed more than 40,000 new Canadians to the city of Oshawa and Durham Region. As Citizenship Convenor of the Golden Jubilee Chapter of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (IODE), Frances has served for 34 years as a volunteer at the citizenship ceremonies held in the Oshawa area.In her welcoming speech at each citizenship ceremony, Frances encourages new Canadians to become involved in their communities by being volunteers and "to embrace Canada in a big way." Frances also organizes the receptions that are hosted by the IODE after each citizenship ceremony.Even though Frances is 80 years old, her energy and enthusiasm is still evident in all aspects of her life. She was honoured with life memberships in the IODE, the Robert McLaughlin Art Gallery Volunteers and the Oshawa Art Association, and was named a Woman of Distinction for community service by the YWCA. She is a member of the Catholic Women's League and has served on its parish, regional and archdiocesan executives.When not busy with her volunteer endeavours, Frances enjoys music, dancing, swimming, reading and, especially, spending time at her cottage in Muskoka with her family. Frances' love of home and country is evident in all she does, but her service to people is the most remarkable.Caroline Nakayenga (Ottawa) Caroline Nakayenga arrived in Canada as an immigrant from Uganda in 1990 with her three-year-old daughter. Although she felt alone and isolated when she first arrived in Canada, many Canadian families extended warmth and assistance to her as she built a new home for her family. This kindness inspired her to give unconditionally to many others who opened Canadian doors for newcomers.Upon arrival in Canada, Caroline began volunteering with the Canadian African Solidarity, the Ottawa Catholic Immigration Centre and the Ottawa Mennonite Church's Refugee Assistance Program. Since becoming a Canadian citizen in 1994, Caroline has continued to volunteer and assist newcomers. She currently works at the YMCA-YWCA Language Assessment and Resource Centre and at an Ottawa hospice.Caroline has welcomed refugees and immigrants in her home while they look for jobs and accommodation. One by one, she has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of people by sharing her knowledge, giving them hope and helping them build new lives in Canada.Why does she do it? "It's a guaranteed investment when you help someone," she says. "When you help someone up a hill, you are a little closer to the top yourself."Inter-Cultural Neighbourhood Social Services (Mississauga)The Inter-Cultural Neighbourhood Social Services (ICNSS) is a trailblazer in the fields of settlement and integration in the Mississauga area. From its roots in 1986 as a project to help women with their immigration needs, it has grown into a neighbourhood drop-in centre that delivers a variety of services with a client-centred and family-focused approach. The ICNSS serves over 22,000 clients a year, providing services in 25 languages. Its 36 employees are supplemented by 360 volunteers who contributed more than 52,000 hours in 2002-03.The key to its success, according to Executive Director Andrea Seepersaud, is to match the services provided with the community's needs. The organization conducted extensive interviews with community members in 1996 to determine the needs that were not being met. The responses were used to guide program development, and the ICNSS still conducts periodic surveys and interviews to gather feedback from the community. Location is also an important factor. "We took great pains to find a place that was convenient for schools, shopping and transportation," says Seepersaud.The ICNSS runs a successful volunteer mediation service and works with community partners to provide language classes, job search workshops, pre-employment counselling, a pre-school program and services for senior citizens.Skills for Change (Toronto)Thanks to Skills for Change, there are fewer accountants driving taxis and engineers delivering pizzas in the Toronto area today. The organization works with internationally trained professionals to assist in the recognition of credentials in Canada.Skills for Change has pioneered sector-specific training programs by grouping clients by profession, serving internationally trained engineers, accountants, teachers, health-care and information technology professionals and skilled tradespeople. A mentoring-for-employment program allows internationally trained professionals to receive one-on-one guidance from established practitioners in their field.Skills for Change is also a leader in public education and research, and works to facilitate the full integration of newcomers into the labour market. Since its inception in 1983, it has assisted more than 60,000 immigrants in benefiting from language, skills development and employment preparation programs.Skills for Change also raises public awareness of the outstanding contributions made by immigrants in Toronto at the annual New Pioneers Awards ceremony, a community-driven celebration of diversity.QUÉBECAndrée Juneau (Québec City)A trained nurse, Ms. Juneau is driven by the desire to help others. Through her work as a volunteer, she has helped to lessen the suffering of war refugees and, in particular, reached out to children who are the victims of organized violence.In 1989, she launched a project to welcome close to one hundred children living in refugee camps in South Asia. In 1993, she was behind a project to reunite Bosnian families separated by war. This outstanding contribution to the International Year of the Family earned her a certificate of appreciation from the Government of Canada. Following the Rwandan genocide of 1994, she organized a Quebec initiative to welcome some 30 orphans.In addition to teaching nursing full time, Ms. Juneau has served since March 2002 as the coordinator of the Quebec Refugee Welcome Service, a humanitarian, not-for-profit organization that she co-founded. Ms. Juneau's efforts have made it possible for many people to regain their dignity after experiencing great hardship and misery.Mountain Sights Community Centre (Montréal)Mountain Sights is a multi-ethnic, marginalized neighbourhood that is home to more than 3,500 people, most of whom were born outside Canada. Many of the residents face poverty and a variety of problems, including exclusion, unsafe and unsanitary conditions, overcrowding, poor housing, violence and discrimination.Since 1992, the Community Centre has proven to be a beacon for residents and a place where newcomers to Canada can find help. With the support of various partners and financial assistance from many sources, it offers a wide variety of services, including French classes for adult immigrants, a day-care facility, and a day camp for children ages 6 to 12. People turn to the Centre for its welcoming, counselling and information services as well as many group activities."The Centre is there to help citizens grow as individuals and as part of a community," says manager Monique Larose. "Our goal is to encourage people to come together and foster the development of this neighbourhood."Support Services for New Canadians (Sherbrooke)Launched in 1954, Support Services for New Canadians will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2004. Over the years, it has worked tirelessly for immigrants, developing a range of services to help newcomers become full participants in society and the labour market.In an average year, Support Services welcomes 700 people, conducts nearly 3,000 assistance interviews and organizes 40 information sessions to help newcomers learn everything they need to know about life in Quebec and Canada. It also manages a bank of interpreters skilled in more than 25 languages. In addition, the organization can count on a large network of more than 50 other agencies that work shoulder-to-shoulder with it, offering complementary services.Support Services' team of 14 permanent employees is assisted by some 150 volunteers who contribute 15,000 hours each year in all areas of activity, from welcoming immigrants and helping them get established and integrated into the community, to participating in the twinning program or organizing intercultural events.All of Sherbrooke benefits from these activities: newcomers integrate more easily and are more likely to stay, and the whole community adapts more readily to this new cultural diversity and learns to appreciate it.NEW BRUNSWICKAngela Odei (Saint John)Born and raised in Ghana, Angela Odei came to Canada in 1981 after working as a teacher in her home country and in England. From the moment she arrived, she has devoted herself to breaking down the barriers to the successful integration of newcomers into Canadian society. Aside from working full-time in the settlement field, she devotes a considerable amount of her time to numerous volunteer organizations, many in the language and education fields. She is a tireless advocate for multiculturalism, antiracism and diversity in the community, and has worked to raise awareness of the unique mental health needs of immigrants, especially victims of torture.Angela is a strong individual who shows total commitment in her convictions. She understands how immigrants can become marginalized in a new culture, and is always alert to the factors that can place newcomers at risk of being taken advantage of. "Immigrants are often anxious to make friends and please people," she says. "They often have a lot of skills, which some people simply view as cheap labour." She feels strongly that newcomers must protect themselves by becoming aware of their rights and entitlements in Canadian society.NOVA SCOTIAYMCA Newcomers Services Program (Halifax)The YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth has provided services for newcomers to Canada for over 10 years. The services are delivered by a dedicated team of 13 staff and 70 committed volunteers through the YMCA Newcomers Centre.The YMCA operates two main programs for newcomers. The School Support Program works in partnership with 17 schools (elementary, junior and senior high) to help newcomer students and their families understand their rights and responsibilities in the Canadian school system. It helps school staff and students understand the barriers newcomers must overcome each day. The support available to students and their families includes orientation, peer matches, home liaison, paraprofessional counselling, information sharing and academic support. A new focus for this program targets newcomer youths who may be at risk.The YMCA also delivers the HOST program, which provides English conversation groups for adult newcomers, arranges for individual matches between newcomers and Canadian volunteers, and hosts a number of social and recreational events to help educate immigrants about Canadian culture and the Halifax community. The program also offers specific support to immigrant women to help them overcome feelings of stress, alienation and loneliness that are common in a new country.Together, these programs encourage newcomers to become active in their schools and their communities and to foster a sense of belonging.PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDJoe Byrne (Charlottetown)When Joe Byrne started working as a volunteer for the World University of Canada at the University of Prince Edward Island in the 1980s, he had no idea he had found a calling that would keep him busy for most of his adult life: assisting refugees. Over the last 20 years, Joe has been a tireless advocate and volunteer worker for immigrants and refugees. He is a true friend to newcomers to Canada.Aside from his professional work as Director of the Youth Ministry for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown, Joe is an original board member of the P.E.I. Association for Newcomers to Canada, the province's settlement agency. He has formed private sponsor groups to bring more refugees to P.E.I., and has gone as far as providing refugees with meals and accommodation in his own home while their refugee claims were processed and they settled into their new life in Canada.The human compassion he brings to his work is what most people notice. He never turns down a request for help, and he has facilitated the settlement of numerous refugees in P.E.I. Joe is modest about his work, summing it up in just a few words. "It's not that much, really. We should be welcoming refugees to Canada. This is a wonderful place to live and we need more people here!"NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADORThe Association for New Canadians (St. John's)The Association for New Canadians (ANC) was established in 1979 in response to the arrival of Vietnamese boat people. Since then, it has grown steadily and has served about 10,000 newcomers over the years.The ANC is Newfoundland and Labrador's only settlement agency. It operates throughout the province to help refugee claimants and other newcomers adapt to life in Canada. Staff work with more than 60 volunteers from various ethnic backgrounds to provide a wide range of settlement, integration and outreach services. Community support has been instrumental in establishing a reception house that provides immediate temporary lodging where newcomers can feel safe and welcome. It's a common sight to see children playing happily or adults of all nationalities smiling and chatting on the front porch of the reception house.The Association operates a Homework Club and a summer program to help children improve their language skills in an entertaining and non-threatening environment. It also provides translation services, language training and employment counselling, as well as an innovative program to help immigrants learn to cook with Canadian foods and ingredients. It's a big hit with newcomers of all backgrounds and especially popular with single males.
