Brantford Immigration Partnership Action Plan: 2022-2023 Highlights

Completed actions:

• Newcomer Welcome Day was held in August of 2022. Approximately 150-200 individuals attended an event hosted by over 30 service providers/community organizations. Newcomers received access to important information and were able to participate in a variety of activities.
• YMCA’s Canada Connects Program, as well as other volunteer opportunities, have been promoted, particularly in connection with Ukrainian Relief efforts.

Ongoing actions:

• Some pop-up programs have been held and planned that have been promoted to newcomers. Examples include: Community Gardens, SIN Clinics, and Let’s Get Cooking.
• The lack of ESL classes, due to ongoing waitlists, has been flagged as a key issue with IRCC. ESL Conversation Circles began again following pandemic restrictions. Additional sessions have been held at the Slavic Church.
• Local resources that have been translated into multiple languages include:
  • How to Start a Business from Brantford-Brant Business Resource Centre
  • Waste and Recycling Brochures
  • Ontario 55+ Games Promotional Materials
  • Newcomer Stories Video
  • Interpretation provided for the Best Start Event
• Connections being made with Heron Head regarding bikes and cycling programs, particularly for Ukrainians.
• Connections with the Brantford Sports Association have been made. Recreation organizations were present at Newcomer Welcome Day including Arnold Anderson Sport Fund and CAF Cadet.

Developing actions:

• Asset mapping exercises to be considered for the future (E.g. using tools that exist on the Let’s Talk Platform).
• In the process of establishing a pilot project with EarlyON to create more culturally inclusive programming for children and parents/caregivers.

Completed actions:

• UNESCO Coalition of Inclusive Communities – Designation confirmed in June 2022. BIP Partners have supported the development of a community focused Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan.
• A social dinner event to welcome newcomer families was held at Assumption College and attended by over 50 newcomers (students and parents).
• Evidence that this work has been completed was noted in the Poll Everywhere activity during a recent BIP Council meeting.
• Woodview Culturally Relevant Care Symposium was held in May 2022.

Ongoing actions:

• The Young Mind Book Club resulted in hundreds of books being circulated amongst over 80 childcare centers.
• Telling Our Stories: Voices of New Canadians campaign resulted in the collection of over 20 immigration stories, with four being captured in a video series.

Developing actions:

• Some connections have been made with Ukrainian Villages through Ukrainian Relief efforts, however stronger connections are desired with the 2023 International Villages approaching.

Completed actions:

• Partners collaborated to contribute content and resources. The Toolkit is in the process of being finalized. Newcomer Gateway tool was been developed by the Workforce Planning Board.

Ongoing actions:

• Nurses have been connected to this program with the support of the YMCA and BCHU.

Developing actions:

• Some material is reflected in the Newcomer Employment Toolkit, however no direct projects have been established.
• Partners are looking to develop this kind of initiative in Spring 2023.
• Limited connections have been made to international students – greater efforts needed in initiatives catered to their needs.
• Some material is reflected in the Newcomer Employment Toolkit, however no direct projects have been established.

Completed action:

• Referrals chart completed and added to Let’s Talk platform. Further develop referral and networking skills among partners.Bi-monthly/monthly meets have occurred since April 2022 with key partners. Information has been shared and projects have been developed through this group.
• Forum was attended by over 70 residents and partners in May 2022.

Ongoing actions:

• BIP partners can further engage in this conversation following the 2023 BIP Summit.
• BIP coordinators have been granted access to the Community Data Program. A Master Survey has been developed to track outcomes of BIP-led initiatives.

Developing actions:

• Some training opportunities have been shared in passing, however no coordinated sessions have been arranged for partners.
• Some online platforms and resources have been established (Newsletter, Let’s Talk Platform), however concreate best practices have not been documented.

1. How can your organization support the development and/or implementation of programming to assist newcomers? Please identify ideas where the BIP mandate aligns and intersects with strategic plans of the organization you represent.
2. How do you ensure appropriate services and opportunities are being accessed by newcomers? What resources are needed to realize this?
3. How can we effectively engage with new stakeholders and include them in development of projects? Consider a project your organization can lead with a BIP partner (or Network Member) you have never worked with before.
4. How can actions from 2022 be expanded, reframed, or strengthened in 2023 to reinforce our collective goals?