Hello everyone,
We are holding our annual holiday celebration on December 21st, in the afternoon. There will be food! There will be games! There will be good times!
Part of the celebration will be a Chinese gift auction - PLEASE REMEMBER to bring a small gift to be part of the fun! It could be:
- Something you want to re-gift!
- Something at home you have been looking for an excuse to get rid of!
- A small gift you've purchased and want to give! (around 5 - 10 bucks MAX)
- Something cute!
- Something funny!
Cheers to you all and I look forward to seeing most of you there!
Derrick Schmuhl
Fair Trade
As everyone at EMCN should know, we serve only organic fair trade coffee at all times. If you are not familiar with the "case" for fair trade this information may be of interest to you. It is good if all of us as individuals and families also make the commitment to use fair trade products.
In Edmonton, a good source for such things is Earth's general Store (which supplies our coffee).
About Fair Trade / A Primer
Source: www.transfair.ca
Fair Trade is an international system of doing business based on dialogue, transparency & respect. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions for producers/workers in developing countries.
Behind the principles/goals of Fair Trade is a rigorous international system of monitoring, auditing & certification. The Fair Trade system is structured to produce the following outcomes for farmers/workers in developing countries: fair compensation for their products/labour; sustainable environmental practices; Improved social services; investment in local economies.
How Fair Trade Works? Fair Trade is similar to a normal supply chain model of business. There are producers, importers, processors, retailers & consumers. The difference is the monitoring & certification at the core of the system which guarantees that the supply chain is built on & functions according to standards of fairness, transparency and accountability.
Producers & their organizations are monitored/certified by Fair Trade Labelling Organizations International (FLO). In Canada, they are licensed & audited by TransFair Canada to ensure that they are doing business with certified producers & that they are adhering to the standards set out by FLO.
Who Benefits?
Small-scale Farmers & Workers: Fair Trade Certified products have helped build economic independence/empowerment for certified farmer cooperatives & their members, bringing them economic stability and a higher standard of living.
Consumers: Gives them the option of purchasing according to their principles & values; Empowers them to be a player in the solution to global trade inequities; Provides them with products of superior quality; Assures them of the ethical source of their food and non-food purchases.
Environment: Fair Trade encourages farming/production practices that are environmentally sustainable, such as integrated farm management systems which minimize pollutants, pesticides/herbicides; organic agriculture techniques & banning the use of dangerous pesticides.
Source: TransFair Canada
Visit: http://www.transfair.ca
Nativity Display
You are invited to the annual Nativity display with over 400 nativity scenes from all over the world on Dec 20, 6-9pm, Dec 21, 6-9pm and Dec 22, 3-9pm at West End Christian Reformed Church on the NE corner of 149 st and 100 Ave. There are games and activities for children, refreshments and free parking to Candy Cane Lane. For more information call 454-8151 or check the website @ www.westendcrc.ca
Strategic Alliance for the Advancement of Immigrant and Refugee Children & Youth
Partners Include: Canadian Heritage, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Edmonton Public School Board, Edmonton Catholic School District, Edmonton and Area Child and Family Services, City of Edmonton, ASSIST, Catholic Social Services, Changing Together, Edmonton Immigrant Services Association, Familia Association, Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, Multi-Cultural Health Brokers Coop, Alliance Jeunesse Famille de l’Alberta Society
The Strategic Alliance for the Advancement of Immigrant and Refugee Children and Youth (SAAIRCY) invites you to participate in the Forum: “Supporting Success for Immigrant and Refugee Children and Youth – What Cultural Communities are Doing"
Date: Saturday, January 26, 2008
Time: 9:30a.m – 4:00p.m (9:30 is check in & coffee; program starts at 10:00)
Place: Centre for Education 1 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton
Free underground parking and Lunch will be provided
The forum will be a gathering of cultural communities, government funders and policy makers, school-board representatives, immigrant serving organizations, and mainstream agencies. All are united by their desire to support the well being and success of immigrant and refugee children,youth and families.
Discussions will focus on the different activities that cultural communities are organizing for children and youth:
- Educational Support Programs - Homework Clubs, tutoring, etc
- Sports Programs – Soccer, basketball, etc
- Language and Cultural Programs – Heritage Languages, dance, etc
A representative from Edmonton Community Foundation will also be attending the Forum to explore the possibility of creating a scholarship fund for immigrant and refugee children and youth.
We see this day as a step to building connections and relationships between communities and other stakeholders that strengthen all of our abilities to support the success and well being of immigrant and refugee children and youth, and their families.
Please attend!
RSVP to Vanessa by January 18, 2008 at 434-0014 or vanessadesa@shaw.ca
National Film Board - "Across Cultures"
The National Film Board now has on its web site a whole section entitled "Across Cultures". It has film excerpts, interviews, photographs and short articles dealing with various aspects of the refugee and immigrant experience, Canada's policy towards refugees, experiences of racism, etc. The primary intended use is in high schools, but the material could be useful in many other settings.
Please read the information below about the death of people where lack of good housing might be a factor. If you are aware of anyone where this has been the case during the 2007 year, please provide the information to Lorrette as requested but also copy Jim Gurnett at EMCN on it. Thanks for helping ensure we can remember everyone involved.
Criteria for Homelessness Memorial
The Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness coordinates an annual Memorial for people who have died as a result of Homelessness and inadequate housing. The first Memorial was held December 21st, 2005 Sacred Heart Church; the second Memorial was be held January 20th, 2007 at the Boyle Street Community Centre. Our third annual Memorial will be held on January 19th, 2008 at the Boyle Street Community Centre, we will begin at 4 p.m and a round dance organized by Boyle Street Community Centre will follow.
The purpose of this memorial is to educate the community on the tragedy of homelessness and the ultimate cost that some individuals pay. Homelessness and inadequate housing is a struggle which many people are suffering through right now on the streets of Edmonton. Toronto has had a monthly homeless memorial for the past few years and it has been well received by the community; it has been a very effective vehicle for educating the general public on the topic of homelessness and the human tragedy involved.
We require the assistance of our member organizations in order to continue this Memorial. We would like you to gather names and to verify deaths. Although we know many people have passed away in this manner over many years, we are asking you to consider the time frame from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007 and answer the following questions:
- Are you aware of individuals that have passed away in the past year who have died as a result of homelessness or a complicating factor of homelessness? If you are, please use the following criteria to verify this and provide us with information if possible:
- Verify that the individual passed away as a complicating factor of homelessness. For example, living on the street with no fixed address, or living day to day in an overnight shelter, addiction issues, mental health issues, violence, exposure etc…
- Verify that they have actually died, a call to the medical examiners will often verify this.
- Name and date that they have died (*this is for cross-agency verification purposes ONLY, to avoid duplication in the counting process – no names will be disclosed
Please have your feedback to Lorette Garrick at lgarrick@gspady.ab.ca or mail to 10015 - 105 A Avenue T5H 0M5 by January 4, 2008 at the latest.
The committee will review the information, and coordinate the collation and cross-checking of data. Your support is vital to make this initiative succeed.
Hunger Count 2007
Canada’s Only National Survey of Food Banks and Emergency Food Programs
A Guide to Mobility and Independence:
A Comprehensive Listing of Transportation and In-Home Services in Edmonton and Outlying Communities
Winter Emergency Resources in Edmonton:
Shelters, Warming Centres, Emergency Resources, Food and Drop-In, and Other Services
