PIP News – October 2018

October 19, 2018

A recap of the Peterborough Immigration Partnership’s work in October 2018

Pathways to Employment: Economic Integration Through Skills Training

Over the past three months, the Peterborough Immigration Partnership has delivered three training programs to build the skills of newcomers in the food services and sewing sector.

Culinary Skills Training

32 hours of training delivered to newcomer youth (English and Arabic) in collaboration with the Nourish Project. The goal was for the participating youth to develop skills that will enable them to become employed in the foodservice industry. The youth successfully helped with dinner service on World Food Day, hosted by the Nourish Project at Trinity United Church on October 15.

Sewing for Beginners

32 hours of training delivered to newcomer women (English). The goal was to help the participating women acquire basic sewing skills that can lead to employment or complement further training. Participants have signed up for the new alterations series and have encouraged other newcomer women to join.

Business-Integrated Learning

Over 32 hours of training delivered to the Newcomer Kitchen Peterborough (English and Arabic) in collaboration with the Nourish Project. The goal was to equip the participating newcomer women with the knowledge and understanding of how to run a successful food business. The group catered light snacks for an Artsweek event, and more recently at a community event at Highland Heights. The group is also developing further recipes and putting together plans for a fundraising dinner in November.

Collage of three photos with people posing with certificates

Participants of the Newcomer Kitchen (top left), Sewing for Beginners course (top right) and Youth Food Training (bottom)

Living Library Project delivered its first presentation at the Greenwood United Church

Focusing on the important role kindness plays in welcoming newcomers to Peterborough and the surrounding area, the Living Library held it’s first presentation at the Greenwood United Church on Monday, October 15th. Sharing his story of growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, later moving to Guyana and then to Canada to attend Trent University, Bhisham Ramoutar recounted what it feels like to be in a new country where you are unfamiliar with the language and the customs. “A smile can mean all of the difference in the world to someone who is new to your community,” the 24-year-old who is the Outreach Worker at the New Canadians Centre Peterborough explains. “A smile can symbolize warmth, welcoming and even kindness.”

The Living Library is a new initiative for the New Canadians Centre. Sharing diverse and compelling stories of transition, settlement, and belonging are at the heart of the project. You can can request a newcomer to attend your event, gathering, workplace, or classroom to share their story with your group.

Book a newcomer speaker today!

8 people sitting around a table, smiling

From left to right are Peggy, Gloria, Carol, Mary, Bhisham, Doreen, Barbara and Dawn

Established in 2008, the Peterborough Immigration Partnership (PIP) is a community-based partnership of individuals & organisations (including the NCC) which envisions a community where the meaningful economic, social and cultural integration of newcomers ensures a prosperous and inclusive community for all.

Please contact us for more information and to become involved in this partnership.

View the Minutes from our March 2018 Annual Meeting here