The word Inukshut, pronounced as Ih-nook-shuut, stands for hope and friendliness our country, Canada, offers to her own people and to the aliens. It remained a very popular symbol during the winter Olympics 2010 thus establishing the fact that this multicultural country welcomes and supports people from all over the world.

The aliens coming to this country include Immigrants and Refugees, but there is a wide difference between an immigrant and a refugee. Although cultural shock afflicts both of them to some degree and they face the problem of adjustment to a new cultural environment, most refugees have to deal with stress, social exclusion, humiliation, discrimination and social stigma on a day-to-day basis unlike the immigrants who are accepted by the society without much difficulty. Moreover these refugees have to justify their presence while living under the ever-present threat of being repatriated.

The dictionary defines a refugee as an exile who flees for safety. There are many who have been exposed to violence and torture in their past. Hiding from the people, some community or an institution that pose threat to their personal security these people flee in haste from their country, leaving back their family and friends, to seek refuge in a refugee camp. Their struggle does not come to an end as soon as they reach a refugee camp. They face a number of difficulties in these crowded refugee camps and have to wait for 5-6 years to be accepted by a country. These individuals come to a new multicultural country like Canada with a hope for a new and better life, a chance for a new start where problems and conflicts are in the past.

No person wanted to be a refugee. They were not born a refugee, but their circumstances made them one.

Keeping this in mind the Refugee Settlement Volunteer Project aims at making refugees fit better into Canadian society, and as a result, giving them some comfort, security and guidance. The volunteers for this program will help the refugees be more aware of the different customs, norms, laws and life styles prevalent in our country. Social isolation, loss of family, friends and social network limit their opportunities for supportive contact with others. Volunteers will not only support them emotionally, but also make them feel at home by establishing a friendly relationship with them.

Some of the duties to be performed by these volunteers during the program might include visiting the house of the refugee, cooking their traditional food together, watching movies, going out for a walk, to the park or a recreation centre, helping them buy some necessary products for household use, and helping them learn English.

Most of the refugees face language barriers and need interpreters to express their feelings and needs. The volunteers will practice basic English in order to assist them in their transition. The volunteers will not let limited English language usage on the part of the their refugee partners be a hindrance in their developing relationship. Body language and gestures will play an important role in communication.

All the volunteers are ready to put themselves in the shoes of their refugee partners in order to help them with their journey. When one of the volunteers was asked if she had any preferences as far as the choice of her refugee partner, she said, “No preferences as long as I can be of help to someone”.

This exactly is the dedication this program needs. Moreover it is widely believed that helping others is as beneficial for the volunteer as it is for the recipient. So not only will the refugee gain from this program, but it will also be an experience for the volunteer and a fabulous opportunity to help someone in need.

It is amazing what we learn about ourselves, when we help others!

Written by Gurjyot Sahota

The word Inukshut, pronounced as Ih-nook-shuut, stands for hope and friendliness our country, Canada, offers to her own people and to the aliens. It remained a very popular symbol during the winter Olympics 2010 thus establishing the fact that this multicultural country welcomes and supports people from all over the world.

The aliens coming to this country include Immigrants and Refugees, but there is a wide difference between an immigrant and a refugee. Although cultural shock afflicts both of them to some degree and they face the problem of adjustment to a new cultural environment, most refugees have to deal with stress, social exclusion, humiliation, discrimination and social stigma on a day-to-day basis unlike the immigrants who are accepted by the society without much difficulty. Moreover these refugees have to justify their presence while living under the ever-present threat of being repatriated.

The dictionary defines a refugee as an exile who flees for safety. There are many who have been exposed to violence and torture in their past. Hiding from the people, some community or an institution that pose threat to their personal security these people flee in haste from their country, leaving back their family and friends, to seek refuge in a refugee camp. Their struggle does not come to an end as soon as they reach a refugee camp. They face a number of difficulties in these crowded refugee camps and have to wait for 5-6 years to be accepted by a country. These individuals come to a new multicultural country like Canada with a hope for a new and better life, a chance for a new start where problems and conflicts are in the past.

No person wanted to be a refugee. They were not born a refugee, but their circumstances made them one.

Keeping this in mind the Refugee Settlement Volunteer Project aims at making refugees fit better into Canadian society, and as a result, giving them some comfort, security and guidance. The volunteers for this program will help the refugees be more aware of the different customs, norms, laws and life styles prevalent in our country. Social isolation, loss of family, friends and social network limit their opportunities for supportive contact with others. Volunteers will not only support them emotionally, but also make them feel at home by establishing a friendly relationship with them.

Some of the duties to be performed by these volunteers during the program might include visiting the house of the refugee, cooking their traditional food together, watching movies, going out for a walk, to the park or a recreation centre, helping them buy some necessary products for household use, and helping them learn English.

Most of the refugees face language barriers and need interpreters to express their feelings and needs. The volunteers will practice basic English in order to assist them in their transition. The volunteers will not let limited English language usage on the part of the their refugee partners be a hindrance in their developing relationship. Body language and gestures will play an important role in communication.

All the volunteers are ready to put themselves in the shoes of their refugee partners in order to help them with their journey. When one of the volunteers was asked if she had any preferences as far as the choice of her refugee partner, she said, “No preferences as long as I can be of help to someone”.

This exactly is the dedication this program needs. Moreover it is widely believed that helping others is as beneficial for the volunteer as it is for the recipient. So not only will the refugee gain from this program, but it will also be an experience for the volunteer and a fabulous opportunity to help someone in need.

It is amazing what we learn about ourselves, when we help others!

http://surreycrime.bc.ca/GuildfordCVP.html

Contact them by e-mail or visit their location in Guildford Mall (bottom floor, near BMO) for more information.

• Curriculum-linked school programs
• Special events for families
• Registered programs for all ages
• Children’s day camps
• Unique nature projects

For more information contact (604) 588-6825 or naturecentre@surrey.ca.

• Child minding
• Clothing exchange/laundry/shower program
• Community & special events
• Gardening
• Hot lunch porgram
• Housekeeping
• Library
• Office Support Program
• Speakers Bureau
• Statistics
• Volunteer support worker program.

SFWSS provides extensive training through the year.  Contac Lyn Reynolds, Volunteer & Services Coordinator @ (604) 536-9611 Ext. 224 for information and an application form.

Volunteerism builds spirit, bottom line and employability
Employment & Education Paper
Employmentinvancouver.com

It’s a great article on the dedication of non-profit workers, the nature of their work and how you too can put your “professional passion before profit.”  Definitely worth the read.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Volunteers are needed in the following areas:

• hair services
• nail services
• foot care
• massage
• cosmetology

If you are interested, please contact Feven @ (604) 721-9286, or e-mail communitychampions@gmail.com.

Networking isn't only for talkative, outgoing people.

Networking is a powerful way of finding the opportunities you’re looking for.  However, you don’t necessarily need to be the most outgoing, extroverted person in the room to succeed at it.  Although this article is entitled “Tips for Shy Techies” the article definitely applies to anyone who might want to brush up on schmoozing.  Click the link below to read the article:

Schmoozing 101: Tip for Shy Techies
“Many IT professionals are shy, but learning to network (with people!) can advance their careers and build alliances. These tips can help.”

Do you need volunteer experience to qualify for a college or university program?  Do not procrastinate!  It takes 6 months of volunteering 4 hours per week to accumulate 100 hours of experience!

Expect to apply for a volunteer position as you would apply for a job.

A common misconception about volunteer work is that because it is unpaid, an organization will welcome anyone with open arms — i.e. you can show up and expect to start the next day.   However, like any other company, non-profit organizations have application and interview processes.  Some organizations may have an ongoing intake of volunteers, while others only accept volunteers on a seasonal basis.   A lot of positions require a criminal record check, which can take up to 2 weeks to process (it’s free or charge for volunteers).  And if the volunteer work is specialized, training may be involved.  For example, volunteering at the  South Fraser Regional Crisis Line requires a 7 week training period before any work can be performed.  Add it all up and you may not have as much time as you thought!