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Promoting Harmony in a Diverse Community

Promoting Harmony in a Diverse Community. Jean Foster Windsor Public Library Iole Iadipaolo New Canadians’ Centre of Excellence Inc. Our Community Windsor ON. Population 216,473 Land Area (sq. km.) 146.1

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Promoting Harmony in a Diverse Community

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  1. Promoting Harmony in a Diverse Community Jean Foster Windsor Public Library Iole Iadipaolo New Canadians’ Centre of Excellence Inc.

  2. Our CommunityWindsor ON Population 216,473 Land Area (sq. km.) 146.1 Population Density 1,473.5 Median Family Income $62,887 Non-Official Mother Tongue 30% 1 Arabic 2 South Asian 3 Chinese Immigrants 28% Unemployment > 10% Major Industry Automotive Education HS or less 54%

  3. Promoting Diversityin Windsor • Harmony Ribbon • Carrousel of Nations • World Refugee Day • Multicultural Day • Anti-Racism Day • CMARD (Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination) • Race and Ethno-Cultural Committee

  4. How We Have Changed1996 - 2006

  5. Path to SuccessWPL & NCCE Inc Joint Summer Programs for children Community Celebrations SWIS workers in libraries … summer pilot Staff roles detailed Library demographics Hours of service demand Making the road by walking it. Anonymous

  6. Who We Are NCCEInc. is a community based, direct-service agency with exists to assist, support and promote the full and equitable participation of immigrants and refugees in all aspects of social, cultural and economic life in the Windsor-Essex region. WPL – Universal Access to the Universe of Ideas Windsor Public Library exists so that residents of Windsor and those who own or rent property in Windsor have information, recreation and enriched lives. Working together since 2001

  7. Our StrengthsWPL • Safe, Free, Easy to find • Neighbourhood branches • Community Celebrations / Meeting Place • Collections in 25 languages; free Internet access • e-Resources for living and learning in Canada • Leisure Activities – Programs for all ages

  8. Our StrengthsNCCE Inc. • Settlement program successes • Employment services • Language training • Youth programs • Child Care services • Translation services • Community Outreach through multi Windsor-Essex sites

  9. Library Settlement Program LSP offers a unique and innovative Newcomer Information Service at libraries in 11 communities throughout Ontario Windsor’s history of providing services to newcomers through NCCE Inc and WPL predated the 2006 pilot LSP programs in Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton. Implementation of the LSP model in Windsor at 3 public library branches in 2007 was a natural evolution of service delivery for our diverse community.

  10. Working Together CIC – Canadian Immigration & Citizenship NCCE – New Canadians’ Centre of Excellence, Inc WPL – Windsor Public Library

  11. in Windsor • Signage and promotional materials professionally developed by CIC • Permanent workstation space for LSP workers • Additional resources for libraries focused on newcomer needs • Services in Windsor include Occasional Childcare for newcomer families while the adults talk with a settlement worker or attend information sessions and events. • Specialized customer service training • Data collection

  12. in Windsor Special Events • ‘Twas the Nite before Christmas • World Refugee Day • Coming Soon: Chinese New Year, Persian New Year

  13. Benefits for our Community Community Capacity Building Family Literacy Citizen Engagement Economic Development

  14. Community Capacity Building Information & referral Social and cultural interaction Intra-cultural understanding Community integration “When positive relationships are nurtured and sustained, the relationship creates benefits for the entire community” Reza Shahbazi ED NCCE Inc

  15. Family Literacy • Programs for children and caregivers • Mother Goose • Children’s storytimes • Arts and crafts • Book Buddies – Homework Help Library cards are FREE • Resources: • Dual Language books – • introduce English; preserve native language • Literacy resources – varied reading levels • Books on CD • English proficiency preparation • Career / accreditation resources • Current events – international newspapers

  16. Citizen Engagement • Government documents – professional librarian guidance available • Community speakers • Current events – newspapers & magazines • Municipal information releases & documents • Provide feedback through municipal surveys Libraries are places … “where citizens can engage in quiet reflection and study, able to pursue their own intellectual projects and personal growth free of the commercial pressures and ideological positions that permeate almost every other aspectof life.” Three Perspectives on Libraries as Public Space by Gloria J. Leckie

  17. Economic Development Professional Resources • NCCE Inc Global Business Centre • Training • Accreditation • WPL Research Resources • Databases for learning, business & current events • Librarians – in person or online chat

  18. Contact Us Iole Iadipaolo SWIS Manager New Canadians’ Centre of Excellence Inc. iiadipaolo@ncce1.org Jean Foster Acting CEO Windsor Public Library jfoster@windsorpubliclibrary.com

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