READY TOUR Ready Tour provides Refugee Claimants with a FREE opportunity to be better prepared for their hearing, see a hearing room, learn what happens at the hearing, and ask questions about the process.
Date: March 5th , 2015
Time: 1:30 pm
Place: 74 Victoria St
To confirm registration please contact Carolina Teves at info@readytour.ca
FREE PROGRAM FOR REFUGEE CLAIMANTS
For registration and more information please visit readytour.ca
On November 22nd the FCJ Refugee Center will be giving out flu shots to anyone who’s interested in getting one.
Location: 208 Oakwood Ave. Toronto
Date: Saturday November 22nd
Time: from 10:00 am to 2:00pm
This is a call to include all people with precarious immigration status in all emergency benefits and measures for housing, health services, education, employment and income support during the present health crisis.
There has been a significant response to support Canadians. The Canadian Government’s Economic Response Plan was implemented to support workers and businesses facing unprecedented challenges – including those not eligible for the Employment Insurance (EI) program and those without paid sick leave. While we applaud these supports, there are glaring gaps. People who fall between the cracks are some of our most vulnerable community members.
Many marginalized and oppressed people who walk through the doors at Refugee and Migrant support centres across the country, find themselves in need of support. Now, in light of COVID-19, the situation for these communities is increasingly unbearable.
Most migrant workers, refugees (claimants and rejected claimants) and non-status individuals are ineligible to apply for current supports. They do not qualify for EI and Canadian Revenue Agency managed programs. Often, they are paid at minimum wage, some even below. International students are already restricted to the number of hours they can work per week, limiting their access to EI.
More than 30 community organizations and groups in Ontario endorsed an Open Letter in Solidarity with Migrant Workers, Non-Status individuals and their families as community workers, organizers, volunteers, teachers, students and residents of Ontario, Canada.
In unique times like this, Canadians must come together and not leave anyone behind.\
To read the complete letter:
Over the years, the FCJ Refugee Centre has become a leading expert on issues that affect the settlement sector and help improving services for vulnerable newcomer populations experiencing multiple barriers!
Through the Newcomer Settlement Program workshops, FCJ Refugee Centre addresses the current need for training opportunities for various sectors : settlement organizations, community groups, students, front line workers, etc.
OBJECTIVES:
-Address the multiple settlement needs of vulnerable newcomer populations experiencing multiple barriers
-Equip vulnerable newcomers with the information and tools necessary to successfully navigate legal and immigration processes
-Connect newcomer populations with pertinent and up-to-date resources and information to ease their settlement and transition processes.
This program is made possible by the generosity of:
Refugee advocates say the federal government’s omnibus bill includes potentially devastating changes to how Canada supports refugees and refugee claimants worry they could lose access to social assistance.
“Immigration is again tackling refugee claimants through a new omnibus bill” said Loly Rico, co-director of FCJ Refugee Centre to CBC Radio. Loly Rico was interview about the federal government’s omnibus bill that includes potentially devastating changes to how Canada supports refugees.
Provisions in Bill C-43 would allow provinces to impose residency requirements for access to social assistance for refugee claimants and other people without permanent status in Canada.
To hear the interview click here.
Get more information about the new programs, services and events at FCJ Refugee Centre !
FCJ Refugee Centre is pleased to introduce its Annual Report 2013, which reviews all the program activities implemented through 2013.
Get more information about the new programs, services and summer events at FCJ Refugee Centre !
Click here to see our Spring Newsletter
Refugee Update issue #79 is ready!!! Some of the topics you can find in this issue are the following:
FCJ Refugee Centre is providing primary health care clinic, mental health clinic and self-care at their main location to meet the disenfranchised populations from diverse cultural backgrounds unique health needs. The very essence of the program is to focus on the holistic health care which is integrated approach to health that treats individual as “whole”. The holistic model of care does not only provide primary health care but also focuses on, emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being.
FCJ Refugee Centre identifies equity and culturally competent strategies and services as critical to improving and maintaining the health of the vulnerable populations. The clinic focuses on illness prevention and health promotion. This includes, Primary Health Clinic, Mental Health Counselling and Yoga. It is a shift from illness to wellness so that prevention becomes a priority to help individuals to reach their optimum level of wellness and help prevent diseases.
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CLINIC
Since the inception of the Primary Health Care Clinic it has experienced the influx of the individuals doubling the capacity due to IFHP cuts.
Dr. Jim Sugiyama is a family physician, who generously donates his valuable time on every other Saturdays to provide primary health care to the most marginalized populations. Every other Saturday he manage to see children, women, families, youths and adults from diverse cultural backgrounds.
MENTAL HEATH CLINIC
Ms. Salma Zafar coordinates our Mental Health Clinic. The therapeutic counselling is offered in a holistic and client-centered approach to improve the mental health and well-being of the individuals. It is offered in a supportive, non-judgemental, compassionate and caring environment. Individuals are coming for short or long term counselling as a process of healing and recovery.
SELF-CARE
FCJ Refugee Centre model of care is holistic focusing on improving mental, physical and spiritual health through yoga. Individuals will learn gentle yoga postures as a relaxing techniques. Yoga has enabled the FCJ Refugee service users to take control of their bodies, minds and lives thus improving their overall wellness. The yoga therapist incorporates breathing and meditation techniques to help individuals to de-stress and helps them to cope with the challenges of living in a stressful environment. The yoga classes are accessible to everyone, regardless of their ages every Saturdays at 10.00 a.m.
Clinics are open every Saturday except long weekends. If you want to book an appointment contact us 416- 469 9754.
The workshops are an effort to offset surmounting challenges that refugees are facing in accessing holistic and timely healthcare.
Our goal is to increase access for refugee women to a holistic healthcare regime that highlights counseling and mental health, as well as greater knowledge sharing and dissemination of accurate and up-to-date information around promising self-care practices, community health resources, and changes to the Interim Federal Health Program.
This service provided by FCJ Refugee Centre is part of the Accessible Health for Uprooted Women Initiative.
The film explores some of the barriers and impacts experienced by precarious migrant youth populations in accessing secondary and post-secondary education in Ontario.
Through the film, different youth voices talk about the problems they are facing in continue their education. According to the video, there are, just in Toronto, around 200,000 youth population without access to education. There is a huge gap that keep youth population out of the school.
The FCJ Youth Network said that the film is addressed to everyone, but particularly to counselors, guidance and decision makers in the educational field. The goal of the presentation of the screening is that this sector receive the message and start to take action to face this situation.
After the film, there was a discussion of possible future resolutions. Members of the FCJ Youth Network also talked about their frustrations after trying to get in school.
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Transitional Housing Worker
Application deadline: May 2nd, 2014
Start date: May 12th, 2014
Salary and Hours: $15.50/hr, 25 hours a week for one year (52 weeks)
Please Note: This position is supported by Toronto Social Services Investing In Neighbourhoods Program. To qualify for this position, candidates must meet the following criteria: Be in receipt of Ontario Works Assistance.
The FCJ Refugee Centre can only consider applicants that meet all of the above criteria. If you are uncertain of your eligibility, please contact your Case Worker from the City of Toronto, Employment & Social Services.
Organizational Information:
FCJ Refugee Centre strives to meet the diverse needs of uprooted people in communities across Ontario. FCJ Refugee Centre attempts to address the problems of poverty and lack of resources, isolation, and discrimination through community-based programs which promote self-help, personal growth, community economic development and social justice.
The FCJ Refugee Centre has a mandate to:
§ Provide shelter and basic life necessities such as food, clothing and transportation for women and children.
§ Provide to refugees and other uprooted people education, counselling and support services, including translation interpretation services, referrals to legal assistance, employment training, programs on Canadian culture and life, and other educational workshops.
§ Assist refugees and other uprooted people to adjust to Canadian society.
Key Responsibilities:
· Provide settlement services including crisis intervention, counseling and outreach supports to refugee women staying in the transitional houses and their children.
· Complete assessment to identify settlement goals that will assist the residents to integrate into the community.
· Provide coordinated case management with internal and external stakeholders, including liaison with Intake and Case Management Worker to include appropriate referrals, advocacy and ensure continued support and stabilization.
· Coordinate and facilitate tenant meetings; support groups; social, recreational, and educational programming events.
· Supervise and train volunteers and student placements.
· Represent the organization at community activities, networks and coalitions.
· Administer all aspects of residency in the transitional housing properties, including: selection and orientation of new tenants, tenancy agreements, rent collection, rent calculation, conflict management and other requirements.
· Monitor management of the three properties through weekly visits of residents and visits with residents, including monitoring repairs and necessary orders.
Qualifications:
· Experience in non-profits, working with migrant populations
· Excellent organizational and time-management skills
· Self-starter with the ability to work in a cross-functional team
· Ability to accomplish goals with minimal supervision
· Excellent written, oral and interpersonal skills
· Ability to work with confidential information
· Experience working from an Anti-Racist, Anti-Oppression framework
· Preference given to those with counselling experience
· Must have a valid G driver’s license.
· Physical effort: Some small repairs and minimal lifting required
· Second language an asset
As an employer who values diversity in its workforce, we encourage candidates to self-identify as members of the following designated groups: women, visible minority, aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities.
Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and résumé by email only (in word format) by May 2nd at 5:00 to:
Loly Rico
FCJ Refugee Centre
208 Oakwood Avenue
Toronto, ON M6E 2V4
Email: lolyrico@fcjrefugeecentre.org
We thank all applicants; however, due to the volume of applicants, only candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted.
The FCJ Youth Network cordially invites you to the official VIP screening of “No-Ledge”. A film by: Benjamin Cornejo.This video addresses the barriers faced by non-status & precarious migrant youth when accessing secondary and post–secondary education in Canada.
For registration fill out the form below and click submit
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Addressing intersectionality and igniting change
FCJ Refugee Centre is organizing a one day forum to bring together multiple stakeholders including refugee and immigrant youth, youth workers, other field professionals and allies to participate in discussions around how multiple forms of human trafficking affect both domestic and migrant youth populations.
Unfortunately, youth are underrepresented in dialogues around human trafficking, and intersecting elements of their identities compound vulnerabilities for these populations. As such, the outcomes of this forum are:
1) To engage youth in the discussion of human trafficking and ensure they have a voice through any response mechanisms; and
2) To strengthen and develop networks of support for youth that are victims and/or survivors of human trafficking.
Registration fee: $10.00
Lunch and light refreshments will be provided
Subsidies are available
Registration payment options:
-By cheque or cash: pay at the door
-PayPal
Borderless Voices is an open space for anyone who wants to share their story and experiences in Canada. Through this new space, FCJ Refugee Centre is featuring stories of refugees and other voiceless communities.
The first segment of this new section is focused on our 25 Anniversary and we are broadcasting short videos of successful stories and experiences from our former residents, clients, volunteers, friends and staff.
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Addressing intersectionality and igniting change
FCJ Refugee Centre is organizing a one day forum to bring together multiple stakeholders including refugee and immigrant youth, youth workers, other field professionals and allies to participate in discussions around how multiple forms of human trafficking affect both domestic and migrant youth populations.
Unfortunately, youth are under-represented in dialogues around human trafficking, and intersecting elements of their identities compound vulnerabilities for these populations. As such, the outcomes of this forum are:
1) To engage youth in the discussion of human trafficking and ensure they have a voice through any response mechanisms; and
2) To strengthen and develop networks of support for youth that are victims and/or survivors of human trafficking.
Registration fee: $10.00
Lunch and light refreshments will be provided
Subsidies are available
Registration payment options:
-By cheque or cash: pay at the door
-PayPal
Contact information:
Varka Kalaydzhieva: varka@fcjrefugeecentre.org 416-469-9754
416-469-9754 ext.226
Destin Bujang:destin.bujang@fcjrefugeecentre.org, 416-469-9754416-469-9754 ext.228
The FCJ Refugee Centre Winter Newsletter is ready. You can find a lot of information about activities, new services and upcoming events on spring. Some of the topics you can find in this issue are:
