About PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada
Background
Immigrant support services developed slowly in Prince Edward Island. It wasn't until 1992 that the immigrant community and those involved in supporting newcomers to the province clearly articulated the need for an autonomous immigrant support agency. The PEI ANC was incorporated in 1993.
It is mandated to provide a wide variety of short-term settlement services and long-term social inclusion and community integration programs for immigrants. PEI ANC is also involved in numerous cross-cultural awareness and public education programs.
The Association speaks publicly and collectively on immigrant issues. It has a high degree of credibility in the mainstream and immigrant communities. First generation Canadians serve on the Board of Directors and are employed as staff members of the organization.
Work and Activities
PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada:
- Serves as a representative community-based immigrant support organization, designed to meet the long-term social inclusion and community integration needs of first generation Canadians living in Prince Edward Island
- Provides leadership in the coordination of government and community efforts to provide efficient and culturally sensitive short-term settlement services and long-term social inclusion and community integration practices
- Provides information, training and resources to social institutions, service-providers, government departments and the mainstream community so they can strengthen their capacity and ability to welcome and address the needs of immigrants; and so they can respond quickly, effectively, appropriately, and in a culturally sensitive manner
- Works in the Island community to remove barriers and obstacles newcomers' experience, by enabling them to participate in the social, economic, cultural and political life of the community
- Assists in the provision of life skills training for immigrants
- Assists in the provision of cross-cultural awareness training for social institutions, service-providers, government departments and the mainstream community
- Identifies related research and information needs; sponsors research and analysis into the current situation in Prince Edward Island for immigrants
- Develops cross-cultural sensitivity, educational and awareness resources for use by social institutions, service-providers, government departments, immigrants and the mainstream community, to increase understanding of the issues affecting immigrants
- Develops and implements long-term social inclusion and community integration strategies at the community and provincial level
- Advocates on behalf of, and in partnership with, the immigrant and refugee community to improve access to services and programs
- Assists newcomers to Canada with their short-term settlement and adaptation requirements
- Delivers the ISAP, RAP, ISL, HOST and CLBA programs funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and PEI Provincial Government.
- Delivers an Employment Assistance Service (EAS) to newcomers funded by Service Canada, assisting them to secure employment and become independent in their job search
- Sponsors numerous public education, training, research, and service enhancement projects funded by various funders
