Summer program helps newcomers in Winnipeg get ready for Canadian school

While most children are enjoying summer holidays, MakarHodukis busy preparing for Canadian school life.

The 10-year-old, who recently came to Canada from Ukraine,is among a group of newcomer kids taking part in the summer"introduction to Canadian education" workshop offered by Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services Inc., or NEEDS.

The Winnipeg non-profit organization supports newcomer immigrant and refugee youth through a range of employment, education and recreation programs, including the introduction to Canadian education program a freeschool-preparedness coursefor newly arrivedyouthages six to 21.

Makarstarted studying withNEEDS earlier this month. Besides learning English and math, he's eager to know more about animals and biology.

"I am learning about Canadian money, especially coins," he said, speaking through an interpreter. "I have also learned about the different types of transportation here and enjoy playing bingo."

He adds that he is working to improve his English and hopesto speak fluently soon.

NEEDS hasfour classroomsin itsExchange District office, saidservice delivery team managerAlejandra Cano, and sees50 to 60 kids each day.

Through the school preparedness program, students learn aboutCanadian classroomexpectations, services and resources that are availableand computer skills, in addition to language skills.

"Language barrier is a big challenge for our kids. So we provide interpretation as much as we can and then help them practise English," said Cano.

The organization partners with the Winnipeg, Louis Riel,Pembina Trailsand St. James-Assiniboia school divisions to support newcomers with school registration and orientation.

It also provides regular support for the first 18 months to newly enrolled studentsor kids.

Psychological, safety supports

NEEDS also provides psychological support to address commonissues newcomers face, such as culture shock, safety, making new friends and trauma.

"We provide individual or group orientation activities to newcomer students on various topics to enhance confidence building and integration, either in school or out of school," saidCano.

The organization also recently held a water safety workshop with the Lifesaving Society Manitoba.

The program taught participants how to recognize, preventand respond to emergencies in and around the water.

A 2016 report by the Lifesaving Society of Canada saidnew Canadians age11 to 14 years arefive times less likely to know how to swim thantheir Canadian-born counterparts, yet there arefew swimming courses aimed specifically at newcomers in Manitoba.

On average, the province sees 22 drownings each year, said Christopher Love, a safety management co-ordinatorwith theLifesaving Society Manitoba. There havealready been several involving children in the province this year.

"Newcomers may be more susceptible to drowning because of their unfamiliarity with Manitoba waterways and swimming facilities and the risks they pose," saidLove.

Help for job seekers

Besides education, NEEDS also provides employment assistance workshopsfor the newcomer youthaged 16 to 25.

Pierre Nzrita, 21,whomoved from Burundi to Winnipeg last year with his aunt and cousins, islearning about the skills required to enter the Canadian job market through a NEEDSworkshop.

He joined the NEEDS employment assistance programlastSeptember,just a few months after moving to Winnipeg.

"It's hard to find a job in Canada as a newcomer, especially if you don't know English too well," saidNzrita.

The NEEDS program is helping him develop skills to work here, he said.

"They are teaching me how to make a resum and face interviews for a job. They are also helping me improve my communication and team-building skills and advising me on what job would suit me," adds Nzrita.

Kayla Verot, an employer liaison with NEEDS,said part of what the organization does ispreparing clientsto find the right job through one-on-one mentorships.

"We partner with local employers who are searching for newcomers, recognize what suits them, and then we mentor the youth accordingly," she said.

NEEDS then works toconnectyouthwith employers, including food services and retail businesses.

Verotsays around25 youth were employed last month through the NEEDS employment programs.

"We truly advocate for our youth, and then in turn they're able to advocate for themselves and really shine."

On average 2,000 newcomers enrolin NEEDSevery year forvarious programs.

The hope is that these programswill helpkids and youth integrate into Canadian culture better, said Cano.

"It's rewarding to see them happy, connecting with each other, making friends," she said."And that really does help in settling them."

Summer program helps newcomers in Winnipeg get ready for Canadian school

1 year ago

Duration 2:20

On average, 2,000 newcomers enrol with NEEDS Inc. every year. The Winnipeg based NGO supports newcomer immigrant and refugee youth through a range of employment, education and recreation programs. CBC's Zubina Ahmed brings you the story.