Never fear, newcomers… help is here!
The St. Albert Public Library is now offering a new service for those people who are new to the country. The purpose of the Library Settlement Services program is to help any and all newcomers to find and access services and resources throughout their new communities.
It’s run by the Edmonton Immigrant Services Association, also known as the EISA, a local organization that is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Settlement practitioner Margarita Cameron knows all about the array of things that anyone might need help with when they come to Canada from another country. She emigrated from Colombia more than 30 years ago.
“I’ve been working a lot with the employment sector and immigrant populations since my arrival in Edmonton,” she said, adding that part of her specialty is helping people with their refugee status. “That’s my expertise.”
Her big challenge when she first came here was that she didn’t know who to talk to.
“Just the fact that you don’t really know people. You don’t know which direction to take, whether it was to orient myself to education or to work, in general to get to know people. Those days, I wanted to get to meet people from South America just to be able to practice my Spanish,” she laughed.
“I didn’t know where the employment agencies were, etc. I did it all by myself which in a way made me stronger because then I learned a lot of the ropes around.”
The Library Settlement Services program can provide information on a range of topics from employment and education, to housing and health, to language classes, legal and financial help, and more.
Public Services Manager Heather Dolman said that the EISA approached her with the offer because it has been providing the same service at other libraries for quite a while now. It was high time that this city got on board too.
“They’ve been offering this service in other libraries and in schools for quite some time. I think they’ve been in [Edmonton Public Libraries] for five to seven years. They’re all across Canada.”
She added that having a resource like Cameron fits in with the library’s primary role of providing information to the public.
“The EISA are experts in the field of integration and adaptation for newcomers, and I think they will be a good addition to the services we offer.”
Oliver Kamau, regional co-ordinator at the association, explained that this arrangement is practically perfect for making sure newcomers get the most access to settlement practitioners.
“We know that libraries are great places to connect with those new to Canada. Libraries are recognized as the place to go for information, and are free and open to all, so they are perfect venues for us to place a Settlement Practitioner who can help people get oriented and make the right choices.”
Cameron will be in the library on Tuesdays and Thursdays. People who wish to get her assistance don’t need to make appointments to see her. They can just stop by the library and ask for her at the second floor information desk.
Overview
Newcomers Settlement offers <br />information and orientation on:<br />• Life in Canada<br />• Improving English and French<br />• Employment and sob searches<br />• Education and training<br />• Housing<br />• Transportation<br />• Money and finances<br />• Health and health insurance<br />• Community connections<br /><br />It also offers referrals to:<br />• Community and social services<br />• ESL and language classes<br />• Recreation services<br />• Immigration issues<br />• Citizenship classes<br />• Government programs<br />• Interpretation and translation<br />• Legal services<br /><br />For more information, see<br />Margarita Cameron at the second floor information desk, by calling 780-459-1682 or via email at [email protected]<br /><br />St. Albert Public Library<br />5 St. Anne Street, in St. Albert Place
