United Way Campaign - Giving
Do you dream about making a difference in your community? Or in the lives of others? I bet you do simply because you work at this wonderful agency helping newcomers and refugees settle, integrate and contribute to the community. You can make a difference in another way, at half price when you support the work of the United Way!
In Alberta, making financial gifts to the United Way and its 44 member agencies saves you taxes – 50% of the value of your gift – thanks to the Federal and Alberta tax credits:
- This means if you make gifts amounting to more than $200 in any one year, you will receive about half your donation amount back when you file your 2008 tax return (so, a $2,000 gift will actually cost you only $1,000)
- There are some maximums and there are additional savings for certain kinds of gifts, but 50% is a good rule of thumb.
- Assisting people facing difficult circumstances;
- Educating our children and ourselves;
- Making us well in body, mind and spirit;
- Protecting and enhancing our environment; and
- Entertaining and inspiring us.
Ask lots of questions. There are 44 agencies that the United Way supports, how many do you know besides the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers. These member agencies are delighted to have you learn more about them. Check out www.myunitedway.ca to get a list of the agencies.
Why should I give to the United Way?
From a child and youth development initiatives to ensuring supports are in place for vulnerable individuals, families and seniors, our work really embraces the well being of the entire community.
We start with a fundamental belief that together we can do so much more than we can alone. We believe that real change – the real community impact – occurs when people from all walks of life connect and rally around a common goal. We help to inspire and make those connections bringing together community organizations, businesses, governments and everyday people who care about the issues we face as a community.
Working together we build an organized safety net of core community services for people in immediate need. We get to the root causes of community issues in order to build solutions for long-term. And we build the momentum towards fundamental change for our society through education and advocacy.
We are all about people working as a community, for the community.
(Edmonton Community Foundation Newsletter, In Touch and United Way)
Submitted by Helen Rusich
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2009 AAISA Settlement Conference Survey
All staff except teachers and finance team are invited to complete this survey to gather ideas for good sessions at a provincial conference on settlement being planned for one year from now. Return the completed surveys to Jim Gurnett by October 27 (jgurnett@emcn.ab.ca or as paper to mail file at 82 Street bldg).
Do not return directly to AAISA.
2009 AAISA Settlement Conference Survey
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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HomeFest Admission Buttons
Admission buttons for the annual Homefest concert are now on sale. For the convenience of EMCN staff wanting them, you don't have to go to the regular commercial outlets such as Tix on the Square but can buy them directly for $10 from Jim Gurnett (and remember that children under 12 are free).
Information about the great line up is available at www.homefest.ca. The concert is November 2, 2-7 PM, at the Transalta Arts Barns.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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“The Fix-It Chicks"
http://www.womenbuildingfutures.com/cms/
Submitted by Rispah Tremblay
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World Peace Day
John Bol, a MacEwan student doing his social work practicum with EMCN, was a speaker at the World Peace Day event September 21 Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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African Canadian Professional Network Society of Alberta
The African Canadian Professional Network Society of Alberta is being formed. For information contact 780-850-6505 or thaifa@hotmail.com. A networking gala with dinner, music, and guest speakers is being planned for November 22 to bring people from professional backgrounds together.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Canada turns its back on victims
London Free Press
October 2, 2008
Canada turns its back on victims
'If you compare what the U.S. is doing to what Canada is doing, it's shameful'
By TAMARA CHERRY, SUN MEDIA
"This is a bigger issue than just one NGO can handle."
Sherilyn Trompetter, assistant executive director of Changing Together
In the fall of 2006, the International Institute of Buffalo received funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to begin a trafficking victims services program.
The money was granted on the condition that the application was made in conjunction with a law enforcement entity -- in this case, the New York County Sheriff's Office.
Thus became a state-wide anti-trafficking task force that brought together politicians, non-governmental organizations and police. Initiatives like this have been popping up all over the United States.
"It just wouldn't work any other way," says Amy Fleischauer, co-ordinator of the institute's Trafficking Victim Services, a few kilometres away from the Canadian border. "It's just so obvious, I think.
"The NGOs are so important in that we understand, are able to provide the basic needs that anyone would need in order to feel safe and begin to describe what's happening to them," she says. "How is somebody supposed to describe trauma when they don't have a place to sleep or when they don't have access to a phone or someone who speaks their language?"
The institute was initially granted funds to serve 45 pre-certified victims -- those not yet identified as victims by government -- during a three-year period.
"In the past year and a half, we have served almost 75 pre-certified victims. So it's been almost double what the estimation was in half the time," Fleischauer says.
"In Niagara Falls, New York, we've seen quite a lot of activity, which of course leads me to believe that it's happening on the other side of the border, too."
Here's a snapshot of what is happening on this side of the border:
- Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto are generally identified as hotspots for international trafficking victims.
- Police and NGOs are well versed in the circuits that appear to have been etched out for the domestic victims -- Nova Scotia-Montreal-Toronto-London-Guelph-Barrie-Niagara Falls in the east; Winnipeg-Regina-Calgary-Edmonton-Vancouver in the west.
- In the way of organization, there's the B.C. Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons on the West Coast and New Brunswick Human Trafficking Task Force in the East, but little in between.
- Edmonton-based Changing Together is leading the way with the Alberta Coalition Against Human Trafficking, which sees participation from other non-profit organizations, the RCMP and the provincial ministries of the Solicitor General and Public Safety and Alberta Employment and Immigration.
"The government of Alberta is highly supportive of our project, but eventually we'd like to see it at the government level as an office," Changing Together assistant executive director Sherilyn Trompetter says. "This is a bigger issue than just one NGO can handle."
"If you compare what the U.S. government is doing to what the Canadian government is doing, it's shameful," she says . "It's absolutely shameful what's happening."
According to leading human trafficking expert Benjamin Perrin, an assistant professor with the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law, Alberta has recently committed "a very small amount of money into developing a protocol."
The Manitoba government has been vocal in urging the federal government to come up with an international strategy and five months ago, the provincial labour and immigration minister introduced the New Worker Recruitment and Protection Act intended to "substantially strengthen the protection of foreign workers from unscrupulous recruiters."
But police in Winnipeg, where MP Joy Smith says two girls domestically trafficked into the sex trade were recently rescued, refuse to comment on a human trafficking policy that was reportedly meant to be drafted last year.
Montreal police refused to grant an interview with an officer who has knowledge of the human trafficking situation there. And the Canada Border Services Agency wouldn't comment on NGO allegations that an 11-year-old West African girl was held at the Laval immigration detention centre for weeks last month after being identified at the Montreal airport as a possible victim of human trafficking.
As for what lays between Manitoba and Quebec: "Ontario is a big gap," says Perrin.
Outside Toronto, the Peel Regional Police vice unit is leading the country in human trafficking charges with a handful of a cases before the courts.
Inside Toronto, the first ever case under the 2005 Criminal Code human trafficking legislation has fallen apart, court documents show.
The investigation was launched in January after a young eastern European woman walked into a downtown Toronto police station saying she had arrived in Canada on the promise of a modelling career only to be forced into the sex trade.
Within a week, six people were charged with human trafficking. Police heralded the arrests as a crack in an international human trafficking ring.
Five months later, all charges were withdrawn at the request of the Crown Attorney's office.
"It appeared . . . that the information the police had initially been provided was not, perhaps, as straightforward as originally believed," Crown attorney Andrew Locke told a North York courtroom June 10.
"Witnesses became problematic," says Toronto Police Det.-Sgt. Mike Ervick. "The original version was not what it ended up to be.
"They were all being exploited," Ervick says of the three victims ultimately identified. "But they're not going to testify because they're afraid."
Within the last six months, Ervick's downtown vice squad has identified at least two cross-border North American trafficking victims, he says. Those investigations are ongoing.
In a case out of the Sex Crimes Unit, a 19-year-old Edmonton woman was lured to Toronto earlier this year under false pretences before she was forced into the sex trade. The human trafficking charges against the three suspects were dropped as part of a plea bargain, says Det.-Const. Eduardo Dizon.
International victims have been found by the Sex Crimes Unit, but passed to the RCMP, which is considered "in a better position" to support victims and get information from international agencies, says Det.-Sgt. Kim Scanlan, who adds she would support an idea proposed by several NGOs for a province-led human trafficking task force.
"It will take combined efforts and multiple groups, including NGOs and other areas to really, fully support a victim who has been found stuck in this circumstance," Scanlan says.
"This has to be a larger scale operation," says Dizon. "It has to be something jointly co-ordinated provincially -- at the very least provincially, if not nationally, internationally."
With no leadership coming from the government, workers at Florence Booth House, a Toronto Salvation Army hostel, have taken helping the exploited into their own hands.
"We're caring for the lost and forgotten of our society," says director Brenda Wootten.
Her shelter has created a policy that allows sex workers to set their own curfew with hopes they will feel comfortable to come forward if they're being exploited. Ultimately, Wootten hopes for a safe house for human trafficking victims.
"The government has to buy into the fact that this type of program is needed," she says.
"Wait until all the refugees come in together and there's guys standing across the street and you never see them again," hostel manager Sinead Harraher says.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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City of Edmonton Community Services / Men's Workshops
Details: Community Service's Assessment 780.496.4777.
To Register: Michael, 780.496.5866 / Terry, 780.944.5466
From Chaos to Peace Men's Group: a free 8 sessions group work for men who have experienced mental, emotional, verbal, physical, or financial abuse from their partner. Purpose: to support & educate each other so group members can build healthier self-image. Focus on self-care and action planning to address the present or past abuse. Sessions facilitated by professional social workers.
Schedule: Thursday evenings starting October 30, 2008 for eight consecutive weeks from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Location: To be announced. Northeast Edmonton. Cost: Free of charge. For more info.,contact: City of Edmonton Community Service's Assessment & Referral line, 780.496.4777. All calls confidential.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Book Review - The Anatomy of Peace, Resolving the Heart of Conflict
The Arbinger Institute
What if conflicts at home, conflicts at work and conflicts in the world stem from the same root cause? What is we systemically misunderstand this cause? And what if, as a result, we systematically perpetuate the very problems we think we are trying to solve? Every day.
From the authors of the international bestseller Leadership and Self-Deception comes a groundbreaking work that instills hope and inspires reconciliation . An Arab and a Jew whose fathers had been killed by the ethnic cousins of the other come together to help warring parents come together. The story applies to families, the world, and other realms some of the principles laid out in the Institute's previous book on workplaces, Leadership and Self-Deception.
The premise is simple: people whose hearts are at peace do not wage war, whether they're heads of state or members of a family. In this semi-fictional narrative ("inspired by actual events") illustrating the principles of achieving peace. Is your heart at peace or at war? The Way-of- Being Diagram introduces behaviors of how people see others. When we see someone different than us (obstacles, vehicles and irrelances) ie. street person, teen, a stranger what comes to mind? If we see others as objects by making judgements and place ourself above them in what ever manner our heart is at war. If we see others (as having hope, needs, care, and fears as real to me as my own) as people our heart is at peace.
When our hearts are at war, we not only invite failure, we invest in it. The chapter on The Pattern of Conflict describes how we keep our hearts at war and how the collusion is conflict where the parties are inviting the very things they’re fighting against. The instructors give excellent personal examples and conflict arises among the parents of the teens.
The setting is a two-day parent workshop at an Arizona-based wilderness camp for out-of-control teenagers, but the storyline is a mere setting for an instruction manual. Workshop facilitators Yusuf al-Falah, a Palestinian Arab whose father was killed by Israelis in 1948, and Avi Rozen, an Israeli Jew whose father died in the Yom Kippur War, use examples from their domestic lives and the history of their region to illustrate situations in which the normal and necessary routines of daily life can become fodder for conflict. Readers observe this through the eyes of one participant, a father whose business is in nearly as much trouble as his teenage son. The usefulness of the information conveyed here on how conflicts take root, spread and can be resolved help readers to examine their own hearts.
An excellent read with simple concepts, diagrams and examples I’d highly recommend it to all staff.
You have a chance to win this book as a prize during the United Way Campaign. Stay tuned for more details.
The Arbinger Institute is an international training, consulting and coaching firm that specializes in conflict resolution and peace building – whether in families, in organizations, or between communities or nations. www.arbinger.com
Submitted by Helen Rusich
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Life in an Inner City School
McDougal United Church
Community Supper & Speaker Series
10025-101 St. & Macdonald Dr., Thur, Oct., 16, 08 Supper 5:45 p.m. - Cost: $8 (Reservations required) Program 7:00 p.m. - A Free Public Community Event
Theme - Life in an Inner City School with:
Vicki Mamczasz, Vice Principal, McCauley School
The dynamics facing education are not just about curriculum, or only about classroom size, but also context - the life of kids living/learning in the inner city; the teachers & the community working together + the challenges/joys of small victories. Join us for an evening of illumination.
Reservations required for supper. Cost: $8.00 Call 780.428.1818 or e-mail: dbell@mcdougallunited.com
Deadline: October 10. Info? Contact Dolores 780.428.1818
McDougal United Church
www.mcdougallunited.com
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Family Violence Prevention Month
SAVE THE DATE - November 3rd 2008 - noon to 1:00 pm
Hello,
We would be honoured if you would mark this on your calendar and be a part of this year’s theme:
Stand Together
End the Silence; Stop the Violence
This annual event marks the beginning of Family Violence Prevention Month in Edmonton. This year our focus is on how family violence impacts the ethno cultural community. Come to City Hall to hear the speakers and see the displays of various multicultural community organizations. By attending this event you can show your support for Family Violence Prevention in Edmonton and join our Provincial partners in "Ending the Silence and Stopping the Violence".
We are stronger when we stand together
Save the Date:
Family Violence Prevention Month Proclamation at City Hall
November 3, 2008 - Monday
Noon to 1:00 pm.
It would be great to see you there! - Bring a friend!
Watch for more information coming soon!
Thank you from the planning committee.
Heather
Heather Morrison, B.S.W., R.S.W.
Social Worker, Family Violence Prevention/Community Development
Targeted Community Services
Circle Square Site
Ph) 780-944 - 5457 Cell) 780-718 - 7323
Fax) 780- 496 - 2995
heather.morrison@edmonton.ca
Edmonton, proud home of the University of Alberta for 100 years.
www.100years.ualberta.ca
Submitted by Ariela Cerna
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Brown Bag Seminar - African Christian Churches and the Integration and Adaptation of African Newcomers
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Alliance to End Violence Newsletter
Submitted by Delmy Garcia-Hoyt
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Free Exercise Class for Immigrant Women
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Guide Financier
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Invitation to Uganda's 46th Independence Celebration and Dinner and Dance Fundraiser
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Writers in Medicine
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Transforming Edmonton - Public Information Sessions
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Senior Centres in Edmonton Showcase Their New DVD
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Women & Children’s Health Research Institute Research Day
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Making Connections
Submitted by Mana Ali
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Work of Art?
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
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On the Avenue – Family Share Fair
Submitted by Delmy Garcia-Hoyt
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Aboriginal Map
Submitted by Rispah Tremblay
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Vibrant Communities Edmonton – Payday Loans Report
Submitted by Rispah Tremblay
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Style Matters - Conflict Resolution Workshop
Submitted by Mana Ali
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The Dangers of Plastic Bags
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
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Save the Planet: Stop Harper -- the anthem!
Dear friends,
Harper is within striking distance of a majority. Click below to listen to a great new campaign song from top Canadian artists and sign the pledge to stop him:
Sign The Pledge!
With the election in 10 days, Stephen Harper is within striking distance of a majority government. Canada is just steps away from four years of unchallenged rule from one of the worst leaders on the planet on climate change.
Canadians are rallying in response. Our campaign to come together across party lines and vote strategically to defeat the conservative candidate where we live is taking off like wild fire. In just a few days we donated over $100,000 to run campaign ads in key ridings, and now an impressive group of top Canadian artists have come together to record an inspiring song for Avaaz calling on all Canadians to join the campaign. Click below to listen and get a free download of this awesome song from diverse artists like K-OS, Sarah Harmer, Ed from Barenaked Ladies and Jason Collette from Broken Social Scene.
Click below to listen to the song, and answer its call to action by signing our pledge to vote smart to defeat the conservatives. The election is close, if we can get just 150,000 pledges to vote smart in close races, we could make the difference. Act now, and forward this email to everyone!
http://www.avaaz.ca/en/stop_harper_pledge?cl=133422391&v=2245
At the debates this week, Harper, with a straight face, touted his "hard targets plan to cut emissions which he claimed is “admired by leaders around the world”. Unbelievable! In fact, Harper has been voted the worst leader on climate change in the world by international experts at the UN Summit in Bali. Elizabeth May called his climate plan what it is, “a fraud". The plan has limited measures to cut emissions per barrel of oil, but since Harper’s planning to hugely increase oil and tar sands production, total emissions could still increase! Harper’s neoconservative oilman buddies like George Bush like his plan, but no credible expert, scientist, or environmental group supports it.
What kind of leader deceives his people in such a significant way to avoid action, and wreck the world's efforts to act, on the most crucial issue of our time? A leader with great spin doctors who, like George Bush, isn't there for the people, he's there for the oil companies.
We can't let Harper win 4 years of complete control over our country. The Canada we love is in danger, let's come together quickly -- as NDPers, Liberals, Greens, conscientious Conservatives, Bloc supporters and people with no political stripe -- and do everything we can over the next 10 days to save it.
http://www.avaaz.ca/en/stop_harper_pledge?cl=133422391&v=2245
With hope and determination,
Ricken and the Avaaz Canada Team
P.S. - For an outstanding guide to how to vote strategically where you live, visit this great website:
http://www.voteforenvironment.ca
For a great analysis of the Parties' environmental records:
http://elections.desmogblog.com
And here is another good strategic voting environmental website:
http://www.voteforclimate.ca
If you want to double-check that who you should vote smart for, this is a highly impartial guide from Greg Morrow, who does not support strategic voting:
http://democraticspace.com/blog/strategic-voting-guide
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
