Winnipeg’s Welcome Place helping high volume of Syrians with ‘month 13’ transition

By Braeden Jones, for Metro News.  Posted December 19, 2016

“Welcome Place helping high volume of Syrians with ‘Month 13’ transition.” Click on the link for full article.

Newcomer driver training: On the bumpy road to a new life in a new country

By Brett Purdy, for CBC News. Posted December 19, 2016.

Click on the link for full article and video.

Winnipeg cooking class helps refugees feel at home

CBC News. Posted December 19, 2016.

Students from around the world make friends as they fry at Mary Jane’s Cooking School. Click on the link for full article.

‘We empower one another’: Winnipeg restaurant hires Syrian refugees

CBC News. Posted December 17, 2016.

Arabesque Hookah Café on Corydon Avenue has hired three refugees and is a place for breaking stereotypes around what being an immigrant or a refugee means by creating a safe space for different sorts of people to come together and sit and talk. Click on the link for full article.

‘Just cry’: Syrian families reunited in Winnipeg celebrate Christmas together

By Erin Brohman, for CBC News. Posted December 17, 2016.

Two families, related by blood and marriage, meet in Winnipeg after years apart. Click on the link for full article.

Winnipegger from Syria sees death and destruction in Aleppo ceasefire

By Donna Carreiro, for CBC News. Posted December 16, 2016.

Click on the link for full article.

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra to hold special concert for refugees

By Braeden Jones, for Metro News. Posted December 12, 2016

‘WSO has been working with the Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations to get the word out about the concert.’ Click on the link for full article.

‘Universal language called love’: Syrian refugee family welcomed to Winnipeg

CBC News. Posted December 11, 2016.

The Syrian refugee family of four arrived on Thursday after receiving sponsorship and help from the South Osborne Syrian Refugee Initiative (SOSRI), a group of about 200 volunteers. Click on the link for full article.

Changing the face of Manitoba immigration

By Dan Lett, for Winnipeg Free Press. Posted December 03, 2016

This is an opinion piece. Click on the link for full article.

Syrian exodus to Canada: One year later, a look at who the refugees are and where they went

By Joe Friesen, for The Globe and Mail. Posted D

Joe Friesen crunches the numbers to paint a clearer picture of the new lives of Syrian Refugees in Canada, and the challenges that lie ahead for them.  Click on the link for full article.

The role of housing and wrap around supports for newcomer families in Winnipeg

By Jill Bucklaschuk. Posted December 1, 2016

On November 22, 2016, Dr. Jill Bucklaschuk presented her research on ‘The IRCOM Model: Housing and wrap – around supports for Newcomers in Winnipeg.’  Click on the link for full article and read about her full report here.

RDI study examines small-town capacity to settle newcomers

By Lorraine Stevenson, for Manitoba Co-operator. Posted November 29, 2016.

Rural development Institute-Brandon University carried our research in five regions of Manitoba where they examined small-town capacity to settle newcomers. This research was funded by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) through MANSO. Vicki Sinclair – Executive Director at MANSO feels that this research will help with supporting regional settlement service providers and help us in understanding the strength and gaps in our settlement capacity. Click on the link for full article.

Syrian refugees prepare to lose federal government funding

By Sarah Plowman, for CTV Winnipeg. Posted November 29, 2016

As month 13 is nearing, Syrian refugees who arrived in Canada last November are preparing for transitioning from federal government funding after 12 months of financial support. Click on the link for full article and video.

Province to revamp immigration program

Winnipeg Sun. Posted: November 25, 2016

Premier Brian Pallister promised to fast-track an immigration program in a bid to increase the number of skilled workers in Manitoba. Click on the link for full article.

Short Film – ‘Welcome to Canada’

Produced by Adam Loften, Mary Fowles, and Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee of Go Project Films. Author: Nadine Ajaka, for the Atlantic. Posted November 21, 2016

This is a short video featuring Mohammed Alsaleh born in Hasakeh, Syria on his life in Syria and new life in Canada. His new life in Vancouver includes assisting newly-arrived Syrian refugee families resettle, find new homes, and begin again. Click on the link for full video.

Challenges facing refugees push some kids into gangs, former gang member and refugee says Isolation and language barriers make life hard for newcomer kids.

By Stefanie Lasuik, for CBC News. Posted November 20, 2016

IRCOM staff – Mandela Kuet is speaking about the challenges facing refugees such as isolation and language barriers that makes life hard for newcomer kids pushing some into gangs. Click on the link for full article.

Grateful Syrian refugees continue acclimation one year later

By David Larkins, for Winnipeg Sun. Posted: November 19, 2016

Jana McKee – the program manager of Seven Oaks Immigrant Services, Noor Barem – settlement worker and interpreter, and some of the Syrian refugees that were re-settled in 7Oaks area share their experience, and the success story of the program at the centre. Click on the link for full article.

Refugees struggle to repay costly transportion loans

Loans add ‘excessive stress’ on refugees struggling to settle in a new country, says advocate

By Christina Hryniuk, for CBC News. Posted: November 17, 2016

Mwumvaneza Azarias Butariho from New Journey Housing talking about refugees struggling to repay costly transportion loans. Click on the link for full article.

**National Lens ** Celebrate National Child Day: November 20

This is from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Posted: November 17, 2016

On November 20th, Canada will be commemorating the anniversary of the United Nation’s adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. There are events – Art exhibition and Webinar planned to celebrate National Child Day. Click on the link for full article.

‘When we see police, we feel afraid’: Winnipeg cops work to overcome newcomers’ fear

By Austin Grabish and Rob Mahon, for CBC News. Posted: November 16, 2016

Winnipeg police may be finally bridging the gap with newcomers — a divide they’ve spent years working to close. Click on the link for full article.

It’s just a waste’: Refugees lack opportunity to play elite soccer

By Nolan Kowal, for CBC News. Posted: November 15, 2016

Soccer programs are a nice way to keep the children and youth engaged and away from gang-related activities. But, Omar Rahimi — an immigrant from Iraq and Gololcha Boru, who coaches the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba’s (IRCOM) have some concerns about the future of the game and immigrants due to limited funding and support. Click on the link for full article.

New Canadians shoot and score at special sports series

Autumn Soccer and Basketball series are fundraising events that give refugees a chance to hit the field

CBC News. Posted: November 12, 2016

Click on the link for full article.

Refugees Fitting Into Manitoba

By Shannon Dueck, for Steinbach Online. Posted: November 09, 2016

Click on the link for full article.

Hundreds of Winnipeg refugees given free dental care

By Sean Leslie, for Global News. Posted: November 06, 2016

Refugees were given free dental care on Saturday, November 05, 2016. The ‘Open Wide’ event was hosted by the Manitoba Dental Association and the University of Manitoba College of Dentistry. Click on the link for full article.

Burkini Pool Party promotes new swimming skills for new Canadians

CBC News. Posted: October 30, 2016

The Manitoba Association for Rights and Liberties hosted the first annual Burkini Pool Party. The new swimming program was organized with the help of the Newcomer Employment and Education Development Services (NEEDS), the Manitoba Islamic Association and the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg. Click on the link for full article.

Hospitality House sets records, welcomes 1,000th refugee to Winnipeg

By Jill Coubrough, for CBC News. Posted: October 31, 2016

Click on the link for full article.

Canada to open door to more skilled workers, immigrant families in 2017

By Kathleen Harris, for CBC News. Posted: October 31, 2016

Immigration Minister John McCallum announced that Canada will welcome 300,000 immigrants to the country in 2017. Click on the link for full article.

Local centre raises funds to teach Winnipeg’s newcomer kids how to swim

By Stephanie Taylor, for Metro News. Posted: October 26, 2016

Newcomer Employment Education Department Services (N.E.E.D.S) is planning a pilot series of swimming lessons aimed at young people starting in January 2017. Click on the link for full article.