Annual Report 2014/2015

926 Paisley Rd. Units 4 & 5Guelph, ON N1K 1X5

Tel: 519.836.2222info@is-gw.cawww.is-gw.ca

Courage Cultivation Collaboration

Vision All people in Guelph and Wellington County working together to create a harmonious community.

Mission To provide responsive and diverse settlement programs and services to help new Canadians integrate into the social, economic and organizational life of the community.

Values Integrity and Accountability, Respect and Equity, Inclusivity and Reciprocity

President’s ReportIf I were to sum up our board’s activities in two words they would be consolidation and growth. This year the board undertook a strategic planning process to determine key directions for the agency for the next five years. We are proud of the plan and believe it will guide IS-GW to further stability and growth. The board also formed several committees to ensure follow-through on the action items in the plan. These committees include representatives from external organizations, and such diversity of membership helps ensure innovation.

We have also seen growth in support for the agency. Collaborations with the Guelph Neighbourhood and Support Coalition have been positive, and I am optimistic that this valuable relationship will continue. We have also started to reach out to the local business community. The board believes IS-GW can be a resource for employers in Guelph-Wellington, and our discussions with the City of Guelph Economic Development office and the Guelph Chamber of Commerce have been encouraging. Lastly, we continue to foster relationships with political leaders in the community who have all proven to be keen supporters of the agency and a source for advice and feedback.

In terms of the future, the next year will see continual attention to collaboration. We have planted the seeds, now we must nurture and grow these relationships. This will ensure that they are strong and resilient in future years, and IS-GW can bear the fruits of these labours for a long time to come.

I would be remise without some words of thanks. I would like to personally thank Roya Rabbani. During this year of change she has been steadfast in her support of the board, helping keep meetings organized. I also thank the board members. Your time and commitment is appreciated, and with your continued dedication we will help IS-GW reach the position of prominence it deserves in this community. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the staff at IS-GW. Without your hard work and commitment, IS-GW would not have the great reputation in the community that it does.

Tom Lusis

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Board of Directors Tom Lusis (President), Joanne Oliver (Vice President), Theresa Moisan (Treasurer), Grace Sun (Secretary), Louise Brooks, Mahejabeen Ebrahim, Michael Hoffbauer, Paul Keizer, Diane Xuereb, Youbin Zheng

Executive Director’s ReportImmigration and immigrants are a source of growth for the majority of countries whose birth rate cannot catch up with its labour market needs and aging population. Immigrant Services is cognizant of the significance of its services as an “agent of growth” for Guelph and Wellington. Our services are the first encounter by newcomers within our community with social services. In many cases this relationship is the first step to connect with the broader community and to choose a right path in their new country.

Without the understanding, knowledge, sensitivity and lived experience of our staff responding to clients who are facing many barriers, the services would be ineffective at the very least, and harmful at most. I would be shortsighted if I did not acknowledge the synergy that exists among staff at Immigrant Services. As clients would often say “this office feels like home”. I know that they are not referring to the colour of our walls or the layout of the furniture; it is the passion of our staff to do the right things, the right way.

At times it takes courage to work for settlement organizations like ours. The uncertainty of funding in this field matches the uncertainty of the life of the clients it serves. Imagine leaving the familiar places of your home country, for the adventure of a new land. If it were not for courage of our staff to disregard the shrinking resources and come up with new and innovative ways of service delivery, Immigrant Services could not boast high staff retention and high client satisfaction. I have heard many times that IS-GW staff do a lot with a little. I would say it is their synergic relationship with each other and with their clients that gives them courage to continue be innovative and help Guelph Grow.

Thank you Roya Rabbani

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Volunteers were crucial to our services. 102 volunteers contributed 30 hours weekly creating mutally beneficial relationships.

In addition to settlement work our auxillary programs such as TIPS, CLARS, Project Wisdom and numerous projects help Guelph to be more welcoming, promoting diversity as a core value in our community.

15 staff speaking 12 languages with lived experience of being an immigrant, co-ordinated 8 groups, and organized 240 information and group sessions with 2041 participants.

Staff and volunteers served 1872 new clients from 83 countries to settle in Guelph and contibute to Guelph’s social and economic vibrancy.

As a highlight, the 2014 Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), with the help of 12 volunteers and 7 staff, completed 443 tax returns with a total refund of $279,733.

Cultivating Community

Highlights of the CIC Funded Settlement Program In 2014-2015 our Settlement Services team served 1,148 clients.

The top 10 countries of origin were Eritrea, India, China, Afghanistan, Vietnam, the Phillipines, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Iran, and Egypt.

Our 2014-2015 clients by Immigration category were:39% Family Class 33% Refugees24% Economic Immigrants 4% Other Immigrants

Our Settlement Programs contribute to the vitality of Guelph and Wellington County by strengthening social relationships and values amongst our newest members from different parts of the world, and help build social networks that are conducive to personal and communal wellbeing.

The Community Roots program continued to evolve into an engaging and interactive series of events, information sessions and learning opportunities.

Activity specific groups provided culturally sensitive support and key information to bridge newcomers to the services and opportunities available within the community.

Needs Assessment and Referral Services, Information and Orientation, Newcomer Settlement Program

2014-2015 has been a successful year for CLARS. We were able to accommodate a wide range of immigration classes, both CIC and MCIIT categories, and provided assessment within Guelph and the neighbouring communities. We have provided itinerant language assessments in Elora, Drayton, Fergus, Harriston, Erin, Mount Forest, Arthur, and Orangeville.

We assessed 593 clients this year, comprising immigration categories of Skilled Workers, Government Assisted Refugees, Family Class, Canadian Citizens, and many more. We also accommodated continental work shifts by offering evening assessments and occasionally making assessments available to clients out of our regular schedule.

We have maintained a successful partnership with St. George’s Centre for ESL, where most clients seek language training. We have provided detailed information on available programs to all clients to enable them to make informed decisions about their choice of language training. For clients who do not have access to a language training centre, we offered

LINC Home Study, where learners can study online or in correspondence mode.

Assessors have been recalibrated on the standardized assessment tools and they maintain high standards of professionalism and sensitivity towards clients from diverse backgrounds.

Language Assessment and Referral Centre

What is Parliament? Legislative Assembly of Ontario presentation

Guelph Police Services community presentation

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Translation

As newcomers settle and integrate into the community they often require the translation of documents such as passports, driver’s licences, diplomas and transcripts, marriage and birth certificates, immunization and medical records, as well as criminal record checks. These documents are essential in order to apply for employment, education programs, Ontario driver’s licenses and to access health care and social services.

This year, Translation Services supported 270 clients with the translation of 418 documents with the most frequent languages of translation being Spanish, Chinese, Arabic , Farsi and Dari.

Interpretation

Interpretation Services supports 63 service providers with the availability of 30 languages. This year, 705 interpretation requests were coordinated for 27 languages with Tigrinya, Amharic, Vietnamese, and Mandarin being the most frequently requested.

The Joint Interpretation Working Group, consisting of the three agencies in Guelph and Wellington County that provide interpreters for their clients and for service providers, continues to meet regularly. The group shares information on trends in terms of language needs within the region which benefits recruitment and retention initiatives.

TIPS (Translation & Interpretation Program Services)

Project WisdomIn its final year, Project Wisdom continued to promote a model of shared leadership and mutual support amongst older adults with a focus on building local, sustainable partnerships and knowledge sharing with organizations across Canada.

The partnerships built with other senior-serving organizations locally and regionally over the course of the project resulted in ongoing support to community and ethno-cultural groups, supports specific to elder abuse prevention and addressing the social isolation of older adults due to language and cultural barriers.

The MEI program provides support to newcomer youth and newcomers and immigrants of all ages who are looking for volunteer opportunities allowing them to get Canadian experience, build social capital, form networks, and integrate into community life.

Last year, we saw clients from 88 countries who spoke 87 languages. As the only settlement agency in our city, we thrive on contributing to the vitality of Guelph and Wellington County by strengthening social relations and social values, key contributors to community strength. Many volunteer and training opportunities were offered at IS-GW, with a total of 102 volunteers contributing to different programs and events during the year.

Leadership Training was provided for youth, connecting them with community volunteer opportunities and helping them build confidence through English practice thereby strengthening communication skills.

Mobilized Engaged Involved

Cash register training in conjuction with Action Read

Horticultural Therapy workshop at the Enabling Garden

Auditor’s Report prepared by RLB LLP Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors15 Lewis Road, Guelph, ON N1H 1E9519-822-9933

For full auditor’s report contact Immigrant Services Guelph-Wellington 519-836-2222

Financial Statements

Statement of Financial Position as at March 31, 2015

2015 2014

ASSETS

CURRENT

Bank $ 130,223 $ 188,027

Grants receivable 13,428 0

Other receivables 15,044 14,342

Prepaid expenses 13,759 11,544

172,454 213,913

CAPITAL 14,711 14,711

RESTRICTED

Short term investments 28,117 28,117

28,117 28,117

$215,037 $256,741

LIABILITIES

CURRENT

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

23,049 35,373

Deferred incomeGovernment remittances

27,507224

75,549210

$50,780 $109,132

NET ASSETS

Internally Restricted Funds 28,117 28,117

Unrestricted funds 136,140 119,492

164,257 147,609

$215,037 $256,741

Statement of Revenue and Expenditure for the year ended March 31, 2015

REVENUE 2015 2014

GRANTS

Ontario Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration (MCI)

$ 69,134 $ 63,884

Citizenship and Immigration Canada 454,607 454,076

Rotary 1,000 1,000

CLARS funding 122,377 119,986

Pay Equity Funding MCI 6,424 6,424

United Way 37,920 37,930

Other 21,907 14,968

New Horizons 46,792 120,928

Donations 3,500 2,820

Fees and sponsorships 1,965 1,370

Miscellaneous 0 24,283

Fundraising 4,632 5,732

Translation Interpretation Program 59,275 55,985

829,351 909,384

EXPENDITURE

Wages and benefits 551,928 587,190

Computer 12,257 20,662

Conferences and seminars 1,908 5,149

Contract services 46,908 59,295

HST expense 7,572 8,188

Heat and hydro 5,404 4,778

Insurance 3,164 4,548

Meetings 4,266 7,044

Mileage 4,682 5,093

Office supplies and expenditure 18,955 18,609

Pay equity 6,424 6,424

Printing and Copying 2,126 4,079

Professional fees 5,900 6,145

Promotion and Outreach 19,447 12,527

Rent and common area costs 101,767 98,526

Repairs and equipment 6,502 5,058

Telephone 7,025 7,670

Amortization 4,593 4,224

Bad debt 0 446

Honorariums 1,875 16,359

812,703 882,014

EXCESS OF REVENUE OVER EXPENDITURE $ 16,648 $ 27,370

Thank you to our funders, donors, sponsors and partners who enabled us to increase the range and impact of our programs

GDMCF

Funders

Donors and Sponsors

Community Partners