December Staff Meeting
The December Staff Meeting will be held on Friday, December 19 at 1:00 p.m. in room #2-4 (followed at 2:00 p.m. by the Holiday Party)
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Mini Gingerbread Village - RAFFLE!
Get your tickets today for a chance to win this homemade mini gingerbread village!
Tickets are only $2.00 (or $5.00 for 3 tickets), and are available at reception at the 82 Street location . Winner will be announced on December 19!
Submitted by Katrina Paufler
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Weekly Newsletter Contest
Congratulations to Ariela Cerna for correctly guessing that the adorable tot from last week was Kim Dyke!
Our weekly newsletter contests will resume in the new year. If you have a baby photo, or ideas for other contests, please submit to kpaufler@emcn.ab.ca.
Submitted by Katrina Paufler
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Commissioner of Oaths
If you are a staff person and a licensed Commissioner of Oaths, please send me an email to jgurnett@emcn.ab.ca to let me know that.
If you are a staff person and not a Commissioner of Oaths, but would be interested in becoming one and providing this service to people, please send me an email to jgurnett@emcn.ab.ca to let me know that.
Thanks.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Looking for a Scarf?
Someone meeting with me last week left a scarf in my office. If you are looking for one to keep your neck warm in these chilly days, just let me know.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Congratulations!
Commendations to Leila Mansour and Ali Mahdi for excellent input to the first meeting of the new Edmonton Public Schools Task Force on Multiculturalism. They provided a wide range of important and relevant recommendations and concerns to this new initiative that will see three school trustees study issues about why immigrant youth are not sometimes doing well in schools and make recommendations for both policy and practice across the school system by the middle of 2009.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Free One-Day Training Sessions – Info Sharing
The Alberta Employment and Immigration Information and Privacy Office is offering free one-day training sessions to address concerns raised by organizations and service providers about the impact of privacy legislation and their ability to share information with each other. The Edmonton sessions are Jan. 13, Jan. 28, Feb. 3, Feb. 19, March 4 and March 24. For more information, email info.sharing@gov.ab.ca or call 780-644-1629.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Nativity Display
Invitation to the Nativity Display and Call for nativity sets If you have a nativity set you'd like to loan for the nativity display on Dec 18,19, and 20th at West End CRC, check their website at www.westendcrc.ca for information on how to do this.
There are over 500 nativity sets from all over the world. It's a beautiful show that you don't want to miss. It's our church's gift to the community that tries to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
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Research on immigrants and health:
“My Health Has Improved because I Always Have Everything I Need Here…”:
A Qualitative Exploration of Change in Health Status Since Migration Kathi Wilson, Geography & Planning, University of Toronto Mississauga - 2006 CUHI Seed Grant Recipient
Summary: Immigrants in Canada constitute approximately 20 percent of the total population and will continue to account for a significant portion of the country’s population in the future. Accordingly, a growing body of research has focused on examining the disparity in health status between the increasing foreign-born and the Canadian-born populations. The healthy immigrant effect, in particular, acknowledges that immigrants have better health status than their Canadian-born counterparts upon arrival in Canada.
However, studies have shown that over time immigrants’ health status declines to the level of the Canadian-born population. This study is one of the first to qualitatively examine the factors associated with the observed change in health status among immigrants. The paper presents the results of
23 in-depth interviews with recent (less than 3 years of residency), mid-term (3-10 years), and long-term (more than 10 years) immigrants living in the Greater Toronto Area. The findings reveal that the majority of the participants believed their health had remained stable or increased over time due to improved living standards and lifestyle behaviours in Canada.
Those who perceived their health to have worsened over time attributed the change to life course events rather than a lack of health-promoting opportunities in the country or their adoption of an unhealthy lifestyle.
This research highlights the need to incorporate more mental health measures into the current understanding of the healthy immigrant effect and its decline, as well as continue to focus on those factors that contribute to high levels of stress and subsequent negative health outcomes among more recent immigrants.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Online Pre-Budget Consultations for Budget 2009
The federal government has re-launched its budget consultations and people are invited to comment on priorities on line:
The following Public Consultation has just been posted on the Finance Canada Site.
Online Pre-Budget Consultations for Budget 2009 - http://www.fin.gc.ca/activty/consult/prebud09_e.html
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Get Your Walk Score - A Walkability Score For Any Address
This website permits you to put in an address and get a rating of the "walkability" of the address related to the proximity of about 12 services, such as grocery stores, schools and pharmacies. Might also be a helpful tool in helping find housing for families that do not have their own vehicle transportation.
http://www.walkscore.com/
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Housing Support Services Hub – Holiday Hours
The Housing Support Services Hub office will be closed from Wednesday, December 24 to Friday, December 26 and Wednesday, December 31 to Friday, January 2.
Housing Support Services Hub
10209 - 97St. Suite 201
Edmonton, AB T5J 0L6
Phone: 780-429-5018
Fax: 780-429-5619
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Santa's Choice
A person came in to access our Benevolent Fund and made me aware of a great idea and service that apparently has been happening for quite some time unbeknownst to perhaps many of us.
It is called Santa's Choice. It is a national organization that provides quality food hampers year round and of course at Christmas too! The idea is that a person sets up a monthly payment plan with the company and then at the agreed upon time they receive what they have ordered. So for example, an individual, couple or family could pay whatever amount each month throughout the year and in December receive a huge food hamper which will guarantee they will have adequate food over the Christmas holidays.
I went to their website and was quite impressed with what I saw. Apparently it is an idea from our forefathers now updated. I guess in years gone by people would put whatever amount aside each month at the bank for the purpose of saving for the Christmas season. Then when December came that money was available to celebrate.
I could see this being very helpful for folks on low income who struggle to save and from my observation who are sometimes inclined to at times spontaneously spend when extra money is available. Anyway, if you wish to pass this information on you are most welcome to do so.
You can check them out at www.santaschoice.ca
Bev Sesink
Community Resource Worker
Calvary Community Church
Mill Woods
Ashley Langman, RN BScN
Community Health Nurse
Mill Woods Health Centre
Alberta Health Services
7525 38 Ave NW
Edmonton, AB T6K 3X9
tel: 780-413-5685 fax: 780-461-2504
Alberta Health Services
www.capitalhealth.ca
Submitted by Helen Rusich
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Human Rights Facilitator Training Program
The Human Rights City Edmonton Project is pleased to present the 3rd Human Rights Facilitator Training Program! This 10 week program explores human rights issues in your community while learning hands-on facilitation experience. Guest speakers will round out the sessions to give you background information and different perspectives to complement your efforts through the 24 Participatory Exercises developed by PDHRE. You will gain a firm understanding and appreciation for all jurisdictions of international conventions and human rights law as well as become proficient with the basics of human rights. At the end, you will have the opportunity to show off your new skills by conducting workshops in your community, informally and formally, as human rights facilitators.
Facilitated by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, this program will take place over ten weeks from January 30-April 3 2009. Successful applicants are expected to attend each session with only one absence permitting in order to receive certification at the end after successful completion of workshops.
We are seeking committed individuals who are interested in human rights issues and want to learn more or wish to expand their knowledge. This can be considered an excellent professional development opportunity as past facilitators have been highly-sought after in the workplace and by community organizations. No experience is necessary; just enthusiasm and a willingness to be open and learn new skills and knowledge!
WHEN: January 30 to April 3, 2009
COST: $140
To obtain an application form, please visit www.humanrightscity.ca
Contact: Mandy at (780) 453-2638 or by email: mandy@jhcentre.org
Application Deadline: January 15, 2009
Notification Date: January 21, 2009
Mandy Siu, Project Coordinator
John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights
Phone: (780) 453-2638 Fax: (780) 454-1519
Email: mandy@jhcentre.org
Web: www.jhcentre.org | www.youthassembly.ca
Submitted by Ariela Cerna
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Labour Force Statistics - November 2008
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Immigrant and Visible Minority Women: Mentors of Today and Tomorrow
Knowledge Sharing Forum - Joining Hands Moving Forward
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Climate: don't let the spoilers decide!
Dear friends,
People power is getting results at the world's crucial climate negotiations this week. But Germany's Chancellor Merkel is blocking the deal. Let's send her an avalanche of messages telling her that her international reputation is on the line:
Send your urgent message here!
Pressure is rising as critical global climate negotiations near an end this week. Germany, Poland and Italy had been the main blockers, but now Poland has begun to waver! This leaves just Germany and Italy left standing in the way of the strong European leadership that's essential to secure us all a global deal.
Germany is the key – Chancellor Merkel is normally a climate champion, but has caved to industry, fearing for German jobs. She needs to hear from us that a Green Recovery is the answer to both our climate and our economic crises.
Merkel cares a great deal about her international reputation, which is why Avaaz has delivered our 150,000-strong petition and protested at her international meetings with the Poles. But now for the punch: an Avaaz commissioned opinion poll which reveals that 85% of Merkel’s own people are calling for her to show leadership in securing a strong climate deal. Together, we can help push Merkel over the edge -- follow this link to leave her a quick message encouraging her to do the smart thing for the environment and the economy:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/merkel_lead_on_climate
The growing Avaaz petition, our joint demonstrations, the Fossil of the Day Awards (delivered to the climate offenders of the day) and our advocacy meetings with leaders are starting to shift climate positions at the global climate talks in Poznan. New heroes are emerging, such as the group of small island states whose revolutionary climate solutions we have supported before. The umbrella group for developing countries, the "G77", and China are also now standing firm to the Europeans.
But despite mounting pressure, Germany is still arguing that emissions allowances should be free for industry. Merkel doesn't seem to understand the power of a green lead recovery or that green-collar jobs are the new growth industry. Instead she is catering to her country's cement, chemical, steel and car industries.
But if we can convince her to shift gears, an EU package will be all but sealed and with it a platform for a global climate plan. We've got to move decisively before Merkel publicly announces her final position later this week. We need to send clear and unambiguous messages demanding that she doesn't stand in the way of a global deal. Let her know that we need her back on side:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/merkel_lead_on_climate
As our leaders delay and lower their ambitions for action, our planet and our people are placed at greater risk. At this crucial time, our role is to let our representatives now that we wont allow another global climate talks to fail, that we have the solutions to the climate crisis, and we expect nothing less than a strong and binding deal to achieve it.
With hope,
Brett, Graziela, Ben, Ricken, Paula, Iain, Alice, Paul, Milena, Pascal and the whole Avaaz Team.
PS. For a report on Avaaz's campaigning so far, see:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/report_back_2
PPS. You can watch the Fossil Awards live online for the rest of the week at 6pm CET/1pm EST at http://www.mogulus.com/youthclimatemovement or past winners at http://www.fossil-of-the-day.org
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
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Help Stop Rape as a Weapon of War
Dear friends,
The worst place on earth to be a woman?
The Democratic Republic of Congo.
Help change the situation: contact President-Elect Obama TODAY.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is host to the world’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
And women and girls have borne the brunt of this horrific crisis, with rape as a weapon of war on a scale seen nowhere else in the world.
But you can do something about it.
Tell President-Elect Obama to announce his plan to end sexual violence in Congo.
Eastern Congo is the worst place in the world to be a woman in 2008. Rape and sexual violence are routinely used as a weapon to destroy women, families, and communities. It is time to get serious about ending the conflict and protecting and empowering Congo’s women.
The US government is in a unique position to take action immediately. They can promote peace through aggressive diplomatic efforts, increase UN patrols and support organizations that help keep women safe, and work to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Oxfam America has joined with the RAISE Hope for Congo campaign to raise awareness about the crisis. And by adding your voice, you are helping to raise awareness about the horrors of this nine-year conflict.
Tell the president-elect to announce his plan to end the vicious cycle of sexual violence.
And to further strengthen your voice, please tell all of your friends and family, post it on Facebook and MySpace, or write about it on your blog.
The women of Congo are depending on you. Please take action today.
Sincerely,
Tim Fullerton
Oxfam America
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
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OK with dirty tar sands oil?
Help protect communities from dirty tar sands oil
Tell the federal government it should listen to the public -- not just Big Oil
Dear friends,
Dirty tar sands oil threatens us all
Experts believe that if the Canadian Tar Sands are fully developed to service growing oil demand, we cannot win the fight to prevent catastrophic climate change. Dirty tar sands crude oil generates three times the greenhouse gases as conventional oil -- and it keeps Americans addicted to fossil fuels that harm landowners, communities, drinking water, and all who hope for a clean and secure energy future.
Big Oil wants to push more dirty tar sands oil into the U.S.
A massive expansion of pipelines and refineries is now being pushed through the permitting process by Big Oil to increase the amount of dirty tar sands crude that Americans use.
One key piece of this expansion is TransCanada's proposed new pipeline - the Keystone XL. Before heading to the Gulf Coast, the Keystone XL is proposed to carry tar sands crude to the U.S. through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
The Bush Administration would limit public input, roll over for Big Oil
On November 4th, the State Department gave the public only 30 days to comment on this federal action and they never stated that a public comment period even existed. Unless the US State Department grants a comment extension for this project, impacted landowners and the public only have two days left to comment on this proposal, which could eventually result in eminent domain proceedings against the landowners.
TAKE ACTION!
Tell the US State Department not to rush dirty tar sands infrastructure projects, tell them to start fresh and reissue the public notice for the the Keystone XL pipeline with a full 90 day comment period for this federal action.
Ensure that potentially impacted landowners and the public have adequate time to review the Keystone XL proposal and comment! Send a letter to the Department of State now.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Goldman, Bruce Baizel and Alan Septoff
Instructions:
- Go to the action page
- Read the sample letter and modify if you can. Personalized letter text and/or subject headers will increase the impact of your letter.
- Clicking "Send My Message" will send your letter via email to J. Brian Duggan at the State Department.
