Environment Scan - Survey Summary

Transcription

1 Environment Scan - Survey Summary As part of the Promoting Newcomer Integration and Social Inclusion through Community Participation and Engagement, including Volunteerism initiative; OCASI surveyed its 190 member agencies to determine existing programs, resources, needs and recommendations. The survey was included in the Project Portal and was sent to Executive Directors of all OCASI member agencies. References to the description of the project and a definition of terms to clarify terms used in the survey were provided. The survey addressed two primary objectives. The first one was to obtain information about existing activities, program and resources on civic participation and engagement, community development, social inclusion and voluntarism. The second one was to identify the challenges and barriers faced by the organizations in implementing such programs and activities. The survey was completed by over 100 OCASI Member agencies. Below is a compilation and brief analysis of the responses. 1. Mandates and goals of the organization Organizations were asked to indicate if the mandates and goals of their organizations included civic participation and engagement, community development, social inclusion and volunteer capacity building. Results were as follows: Community development 91.5% Civic participation and engagement 70.2% Social inclusion 84.0% Volunteer capacity building 79.8% 2. Organization s budget Organizations were asked if these initiatives were reflected in their organization s budget. Results were as follows: Community development 79.5% Civic participation and engagement 48.2% Social inclusion 68.7% Volunteer capacity building 71.1% 3. Sources of funding The sources of funding for activities dealing with civic participation/engagement, community development, social inclusion and volunteer capacity building come from: Fundraising 63.9% Provincial government 61.4% Federal government 57.8% United Way 53.0% City government 45.8% Private foundations 36.1% Community contributions 27.7% Fees 16.9% 1

2 Respondents highlighted that their organizations have also obtained funding from other sources, such as faith organizations -Catholic Immigration Centre Foundation, Diocese of Thunder Bay, the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal-, regional government and partnership with public school boards. Donations and fundraising activities, such a bingo are also an important source of financial support for community participation and engagement and voluntarism programs. Almost 60% of those organizations that do not have funding for this kind of initiatives indicated that they had applied for but were not successful in obtaining funding. Forty seven percent indicated that they implemented programs with alternative resources, such as volunteer-run programming. Almost 20% indicated that they have not applied for funding for these kind of programs. 4. Organizations specific services or programs Slightly over 80% of respondents indicated that their organizations have programs or services in areas of community development and social inclusion. Seventy percent indicated that they have volunteer capacity building programs and almost 70% said that they have programs or services in areas of civic participation and engagement. Organizations were asked to identify programs that meet some aspects of civic participation/development, community development or social inclusion. Responses are as follows: Settlement services 80.9% Women programs 66.3% Employment counselling/training 58.4% Youth programs 56.2% Cultural events 53.9% English language courses 53.9% Individual and family counselling 53.9% Recreation/socialization 51.7% Discussion/information on rights and citizenship 50.6% Seniors program 40.4% Committees & concern groups 38.2% Mentorship program 38.2% Health awareness program 37.1% Parenting groups 37.1% After school programs 34.8% Internationally trained professional groups 30.3% Leadership and voter development 30.3% Early childhood programs 29.2% Voter education and awareness 28.1% Non-Status immigrant groups 23.6% HOST program 22.5% LGBT programs 4.5% Other programs mentioned by respondents include educational workshops and training, permanent housing, shelter and homeless programs, media engagement strategies, on-going training for board, volunteer and student programs, leadership program for young immigrant women, neighbourhood building program and public education initiatives. One organization indicated that they hold annual regular events that are dedicated to civic engagement, community development and social inclusion Carrousel of the Nations, Carrousel by the River are only examples, where all communities in Windsor participate and come together; they learn 2

3 how to respect each other culture. Another respondent indicated that community engagement and participation is in the job descriptions of staff under the heading of health promotion. Ninety six percent of organizations that don t have aspects of civic engagement/participation, community development, and social inclusion in their programming are considering including them in the future. Only 4% are not considering working in this area. 5. Does your settlement services work include aspects of civic engagement/ participation, community development, and social inclusion? Almost all of the respondents indicated that the settlement service they provide include aspects of civic engagement/ participation, community development, and social inclusion. Respondents indicated that settlement work is all about social inclusion and civic engagement. Activities provided under settlement services include: - Civic participation: newcomers are invited to participate in civic engagement activities e.g. attend a rally, voter education sessions, orientation sessions to rights and responsibilities. Clients and ESL/LINC students are introduced to the Canadian political systems and the rights and responsibilities of a citizen. - HOST programs: planning of events that involve the newcomer community at large, supporting newcomers on community participation activities - Client-led cultural and social events - Networking activities for job seekers and employed immigrants, sessions to educate employers about hiring newcomers to Canada. - Newcomer volunteer programs such as immigrant workers; network run by newcomer workers themselves - Encouraging clients to get involved in their communities by participating in their children's school council, local volunteer groups, - Working with community partners in developing ideas and strategies to promote civic engagement, including collaborative applications for funding of various community projects. - Group sessions, such as information sessions, peer support groups, information Sessions on the topics" How to Vote, How the Voting system works. - Open Houses and Workshops where clients are encouraged to participate - One organization expressed that their settlement staff encourage clients participation in community development activities and organize civic participatory events with the expertise and assistance from the newcomer groups. They will participate with staff as they know that it is a way to get involved in the community and make a difference. The can also showcase their talents and skills Some organizations that do not provide typical settlement services indicated that their work with immigrants and refugees includes individual advocacy and counselling, healthy living activities designed to break isolation and encourage inclusion, short-term learning opportunities for participation and a safe place to volunteer, to form relationships, to participate in community life in a group setting with people in similar situation. 3

4 6. Identification of barriers, aside from financial constraints, that impede the implementation of programs or services that endorse civic engagement/participation, community development, and social inclusion. In their comments respondents reiterated the lack of financial resources, the perceived disconnect between community needs and funding bodies, difficulties to obtain charitable status as well as lack of adequate space for group work. Other comments, although not specifically related to financial constraints are related to restrictions imposed by funders in an explicit or implicit manner, for example, it can be difficult to show measurable outcomes especially with short term programs, the idea that these activities are not "as important" as more measurable activities, requirement for numbers and not long term results or quality, French language programs not considered important, etc. Other barriers identified are related to staffing: finding and retaining qualified staff, instructors and facilitators; availability of trained staff persons that speak the different languages of participants and have the specific professional capacity to work in areas of civic engagement/participation, community development and inclusion; prioritizing staff time when many other urgent situations arise; lack of experienced staff with the capacity to facilitate diversity training in the community and workplace, etc. Some participants also indicated that training in immigrant services does not include the appropriate approach to work with groups in civic engagement. Another important factor mentioned is that organizations do not have the time to dedicate to the development of new or prospective programs, even when they would respond to the need of their constituencies. There is a need for managers to enhance their knowledge of new viable models. Addressing training needs for staff and volunteers is a priority. Several respondents indicated that they are overwhelmed by service delivery (services to individuals); resulting stresses on staff time; no time to plan and incorporate social action activities. Other important barriers mentioned by respondents include: - Systemic issues: racism, lack of true commitment on the part of governments to the importance of this work; failure to consider the intersectionalities of oppression affecting immigrants and refugees. - Immigrants and refugees are often dealing with crucial life issues, such as poverty, unemployment, and not always able to participate in community life. Personal difficulties during the settlement process overshadow all other considerations. - Issues at the agency and community level: poor recognition of others of the importance of community development and social inclusion; differences in interpretation of the meaning of social inclusion, capacity building and community development. Cultural barriers still hinder the implementation of such services; they are barriers more related to community and service providers culture. Not enough time and financial and human resources to shape the organization's activities and politic within antiracist/anti-oppression social change framework/model rather than "social service delivery". This requires intentional change work including education, policy, system, structural review/change and support. Charity model and program design often separates people into "helpers" from "helped". - Capacity building: Need to increase agency capacity level to work efficiently with ethnically diverse communities. Need to increase staff awareness of broader political issues affecting their clients. Need to change the negative perception connecting community development to 'advocacy' and 'politics'. 4

5 - Focus of programs on people in transition (new to country, unemployed, homeless or youth) which can be temporary situation or result in unstable or unpredictable participation. - Lack of appropriate resources in languages other than English and French - One respondent indicated that in spite of the barrier, some programs are highly successful in creating sense of community and engagement for clients that are still marginalized or excluded from broader society. 7. Community Volunteers In the specific area of Community Volunteers over 95% of agencies indicated that they recruit and utilize volunteers from the community. Some indicated that recruit new volunteers from clients who participate in organizational or public events. Over 85% have a formal assessment and/or application process for prospective volunteers and provide them with an orientation and training. Over 72% or respondents indicated that they consider as volunteers agency clients or former clients that are community advocates or that provide input in the organization s planning of programs and services, while 66% of respondent indicate that their clients are leaders of community associations and considered volunteers. Forty one percent of the respondents expressed that clients invited as participants in community consultations are considered volunteers. 8. Volunteering: specific tasks performed by volunteers Over 91% of respondents indicated that volunteers are involved in clerical and administrative tasks. Almost 70% indicated that volunteers provide translation and client escort. Fifty per cent indicated that they are involved as workshop facilitator and in mentorship activities. Volunteer participation as Board members and committee members of the organization is regarded as an important volunteer contribution to most of the organizations. Other activities that are supported by volunteers include: - Language training support such as conversation facilitators of ESL/LINC students, ESL tutoring, English Conversation Partners and Adult Literacy tutoring, LINC teacher assistance and summer ESL and FSL programs for High school students. - Clients services delivery, such as assist intake in the reception, filling out forms, helping employment services clients with computers and in the Resources Centre, mentoring for employment, supervising internet centre and providing information sessions for newcomers - Children programs: childminding, children's tutoring, homework club. - Events: Events and festivals planning, organization and promotion. Social recreation activities. Running fund raising activities and promotion. - Support to seniors programs, such as meal preparation and delivery and visiting seniors. - Facilitation and support in community engagement programs, such as community development projects, health Promotion initiatives; Peer Leadership Training, 5

6 facilitation of youth, immigrant women, parents groups and other support groups; leading conversation circles on different topics with employers, bank managers, social agency directors, business executives as directed by the needs of the clients. - Assistance with different projects: project development in areas such as settlement program, youth, seniors, women's and homeless program. - Other tasks such as assisting in tax clinics, befriending program, assisting with research projects, newsletter preparation, general computer help. 9. Capacity Building for Volunteers Organizations indicated that they provide capacity building activities for volunteers in the following areas: Fundraising 81.4% Board development 78.4% Networking opportunities 67.6% Strategic planning 60.8% Evaluation 56.8% Programs/ project design, assessment & management 52.7% Team building 47.3% Marketing (research, promotions) 45.9% Research 45.9% Leadership development 41.9% Organizational development 41.9% Staffing (selection, development) 33.8% Information technology 28.4% Financial management 27.0% Conflict resolution 23.0% Management development 21.6% Funding 18.9% 6