Research Library

A conceptual model was designed and tested to predict immigrant children’s oral health in Canada by examining parental acculturation and perceived social support (PSS) using structural equation modelling. A convenience sample of first-generation immigrant parents and their children aged 2–12 years were recruited by multilingual community workers in Edmonton, AB, Canada. Parents completed a validated questionnaire on demographics, child’s oral health (OH) behaviours, parental acculturation and PSS. Dental examinations determined children’s dental caries rate using DMFT/dmft index. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data. A total of 336 families participated in this study. The findings emphasize the important role of parental acculturation and PSS levels in predicting immigrant children’s oral health behaviours and dental caries. A conceptual model was designed and tested to predict immigrant children’s oral health in Canada by examining parental acculturation and perceived social support (PSS) using structural equation modelling. A convenience sample of first-generation immigrant parents and their children aged 2–12 years were recruited by multilingual community workers in Edmonton, AB, Canada. Parents completed a validated questionnaire on demographics, child’s oral health (OH) behaviours, parental acculturation and PSS. Dental examinations determined children’s dental caries rate using DMFT/dmft index. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data. A total of 336 families participated in this study. The findings emphasize the important role of parental acculturation and PSS levels in predicting immigrant children’s oral health behaviours and dental caries.
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The Rainbow Refuge, part of the Edmonton Newcomer Centre, has put Edmonton on the map as a safe and supportive city for 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees. Rainbow Refuge provides counselling, legal services, housing, employment and community, but with only 3 staff and limited funding, the program is struggling. Members have tripled in the past year, where the program now serves more than 600 people from over 60 countries. Stories of 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees are also shared in the article. The Rainbow Refuge, part of the Edmonton Newcomer Centre, has put Edmonton on the map as a safe and supportive city for 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees. Rainbow Refuge provides counselling, legal services, housing, employment and community, but with only 3 staff and limited funding, the program is struggling. Members have tripled in the past year, where the program now serves more than 600 people from over 60 countries. Stories of 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees are also shared in the article.
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A comprehensive guide to all the services and programs offered by the Edmonton Newcomer Centre (formerly called the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers) as of Spring 2024. A comprehensive guide to all the services and programs offered by the Edmonton Newcomer Centre (formerly called the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers) as of Spring 2024.
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Racialized and/or ethnocultural minority older adults in supportive living settings may not have access to appropriate services and activities. Most supportive living facilities are mainstream (not specific to one group); however, culturally specific facilities are purpose-built to accommodate older adults from a particular group. Our objective was to describe the perspectives of diverse participants about access to culturally appropriate care, accessible services, and social and recreation activities in culturally specific and mainstream (non-specific) supportive living facilities. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 people (11 staff, 8 family members, 2 residents) from 7 supportive living homes (2 culturally specific and 5 mainstream) in Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. We used a rapid qualitative inquiry approach to structure the data collection and analysis. Staff and family members described challenges in accessing culturally appropriate care in mainstream facilities. Family members expressed guilt and shame when their relative moved to supportive living, and they specifically described long waitlists for beds in culturally specific homes. Once in the facility, language barriers contributed to quality of care issues (e.g., delayed assessments) and challenges accessing recreation and social activities in both mainstream and culturally specific homes. Mainstream facilities often did not have appropriate food options and had limited supports for religious practices. Residents who had better English language proficiency had an easier transition to supportive living. Racialized and/or ethnoculturally diverse residents in mainstream supportive living facilities did not receive culturally appropriate care. Creating standalone facilities for every cultural group is not feasible; therefore, we must improve the care in mainstream facilities, including recruiting more diverse staff and integrating a wider range of recreation, religious services and food options. Racialized and/or ethnocultural minority older adults in supportive living settings may not have access to appropriate services and activities. Most supportive living facilities are mainstream (not specific to one group); however, culturally specific facilities are purpose-built to accommodate older adults from a particular group. Our objective was to describe the perspectives of diverse participants about access to culturally appropriate care, accessible services, and social and recreation activities in culturally specific and mainstream (non-specific) supportive living facilities. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 people (11 staff, 8 family members, 2 residents) from 7 supportive living homes (2 culturally specific and 5 mainstream) in Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. We used a rapid qualitative inquiry approach to structure the data collection and analysis. Staff and family members described challenges in accessing culturally appropriate care in mainstream facilities. Family members expressed guilt and shame when their relative moved to supportive living, and they specifically described long waitlists for beds in culturally specific homes. Once in the facility, language barriers contributed to quality of care issues (e.g., delayed assessments) and challenges accessing recreation and social activities in both mainstream and culturally specific homes. Mainstream facilities often did not have appropriate food options and had limited supports for religious practices. Residents who had better English language proficiency had an easier transition to supportive living. Racialized and/or ethnoculturally diverse residents in mainstream supportive living facilities did not receive culturally appropriate care. Creating standalone facilities for every cultural group is not feasible; therefore, we must improve the care in mainstream facilities, including recruiting more diverse staff and integrating a wider range of recreation, religious services and food options.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

A guide to the laws criminalizing LGBTQ+ people in various countries around the globe, including a list of the laws by country, as well as world maps indicating countries by type of offense criminalized and sentence type. Important resource to provide context for those working with LGBTQ+ refugees and immigrants, as well as newcomers with LGBTQ+ children. A guide to the laws criminalizing LGBTQ+ people in various countries around the globe, including a list of the laws by country, as well as world maps indicating countries by type of offense criminalized and sentence type. Important resource to provide context for those working with LGBTQ+ refugees and immigrants, as well as newcomers with LGBTQ+ children.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The CCIS Annual Report 2021-2022 highlights the organization’s commitment to empowering immigrants and refugees in Southern Alberta. Celebrating 40 years of service, CCIS navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to support vulnerable newcomers. The report outlines strategic initiatives, including the Afghan Resettlement Operation and the Land of Dreams urban farm project, which fosters community connection and food security. Emphasizing the importance of Indigenous experiences, CCIS aims to create an inclusive society where all individuals can thrive. The report reflects on achievements, partnerships, and the dedication of staff and volunteers in enhancing settlement services. The CCIS Annual Report 2021-2022 highlights the organization’s commitment to empowering immigrants and refugees in Southern Alberta. Celebrating 40 years of service, CCIS navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to support vulnerable newcomers. The report outlines strategic initiatives, including the Afghan Resettlement Operation and the Land of Dreams urban farm project, which fosters community connection and food security. Emphasizing the importance of Indigenous experiences, CCIS aims to create an inclusive society where all individuals can thrive. The report reflects on achievements, partnerships, and the dedication of staff and volunteers in enhancing settlement services.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

In this study, we applied an intersectional framework to explore service providers’ perspectives on the mental health needs of newcomer young men. We conducted focus groups and interviews with 26 service providers in Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver, Canada. Findings show that service providers made sense of young men’s mental health needs and service access in the context of systems. We identified three interconnected themes: newcomer young men’s senses of self in relation to macrosystems, including racism and economic marginalization; settling well as a determinant of mental health; and systems capacities and interdependent resilience. While service providers are engaged in cross-sectoral work in support of newcomer young men’s mental health, this work is not being sufficiently supported. Further work is needed around cross-sector capacity bridging and advocacy, as well as the tailoring of services to young men without the assumption and reinforcement of gender stereotypes. In this study, we applied an intersectional framework to explore service providers’ perspectives on the mental health needs of newcomer young men. We conducted focus groups and interviews with 26 service providers in Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver, Canada. Findings show that service providers made sense of young men’s mental health needs and service access in the context of systems. We identified three interconnected themes: newcomer young men’s senses of self in relation to macrosystems, including racism and economic marginalization; settling well as a determinant of mental health; and systems capacities and interdependent resilience. While service providers are engaged in cross-sectoral work in support of newcomer young men’s mental health, this work is not being sufficiently supported. Further work is needed around cross-sector capacity bridging and advocacy, as well as the tailoring of services to young men without the assumption and reinforcement of gender stereotypes.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Canada’s National Housing Strategy acknowledges that identity factors are closely connected to housing vulnerability. Specifically, it identifies 12 groups at heightened risk of negative housing outcomes in Canada. In this research, we focus on the intersection of two of these groups: LGBTQ people and refugees. Existing studies establish that members of both groups are vulnerable to discrimination, homelessness, and housing unaffordability. However, they have largely been examined separately, and with limited insights into the factors that produce vulnerability. To develop a more nuanced and systemic account of LGBTQ refugees’ housing vulnerability, we conducted a study in Alberta, Canada. Utilizing Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality, and drawing on policy documents and key-informant interviews, we identified three types of barriers to housing. We conclude that an intersectional approach provides a foundation for systemic explanations of housing vulnerability that are too often absent in policy. Canada’s National Housing Strategy acknowledges that identity factors are closely connected to housing vulnerability. Specifically, it identifies 12 groups at heightened risk of negative housing outcomes in Canada. In this research, we focus on the intersection of two of these groups: LGBTQ people and refugees. Existing studies establish that members of both groups are vulnerable to discrimination, homelessness, and housing unaffordability. However, they have largely been examined separately, and with limited insights into the factors that produce vulnerability. To develop a more nuanced and systemic account of LGBTQ refugees’ housing vulnerability, we conducted a study in Alberta, Canada. Utilizing Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality, and drawing on policy documents and key-informant interviews, we identified three types of barriers to housing. We conclude that an intersectional approach provides a foundation for systemic explanations of housing vulnerability that are too often absent in policy.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Pre-arrival services are considered important in the settlement and integration of immigrants and newcomers in Canada. Filipinos comprise one of the largest groups of non-white immigrants and newcomers in Canada since the 1980s. Of all immigrant groups from non-western countries Filipinos are visibly marked as the “other” yet are considered “ideal’ workers in certain occupational categories like health and service industries where they are most concentrated. Filipinos in Alberta invariably accessed pre-arrival services before arriving in Canada (provided either by the Canadian or Philippine governments; provided by church groups, placement or recruitment agencies, immigration lawyers, and family or other social networks). Those Filipinos without any formal support prior to their arrival in Alberta have made use of varied strategies to find information to assist them in their settlement in the province. In general, pre-arrival services defined early success in the settlement and integration of Filipinos in Alberta. These services eventually shaped the choices and decisions they made upon arrival, and were viewed positively, albeit lacking in many ways. All Filipinos in the study are convinced that gender-neutral pre-arrival services provide a better integrative approach for inclusion in Canada, where both males and females are given the same quality of service and information. Pre-arrival services are considered important in the settlement and integration of immigrants and newcomers in Canada. Filipinos comprise one of the largest groups of non-white immigrants and newcomers in Canada since the 1980s. Of all immigrant groups from non-western countries Filipinos are visibly marked as the “other” yet are considered “ideal’ workers in certain occupational categories like health and service industries where they are most concentrated. Filipinos in Alberta invariably accessed pre-arrival services before arriving in Canada (provided either by the Canadian or Philippine governments; provided by church groups, placement or recruitment agencies, immigration lawyers, and family or other social networks). Those Filipinos without any formal support prior to their arrival in Alberta have made use of varied strategies to find information to assist them in their settlement in the province. In general, pre-arrival services defined early success in the settlement and integration of Filipinos in Alberta. These services eventually shaped the choices and decisions they made upon arrival, and were viewed positively, albeit lacking in many ways. All Filipinos in the study are convinced that gender-neutral pre-arrival services provide a better integrative approach for inclusion in Canada, where both males and females are given the same quality of service and information.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Dr. Tonya Callaghan at the University of Calgary, in partnership with the Centre of Newcomers, is studying the challenges and gaps in settlement services for LGBTQ2S+ newcomers to Calgary. This emerging research project hopes to tangibly change policy and practice around creating and implementing trauma-informed supports for the intersectional experiences of LGBTQ2S+ newcomers. Dr. Tonya Callaghan at the University of Calgary, in partnership with the Centre of Newcomers, is studying the challenges and gaps in settlement services for LGBTQ2S+ newcomers to Calgary. This emerging research project hopes to tangibly change policy and practice around creating and implementing trauma-informed supports for the intersectional experiences of LGBTQ2S+ newcomers.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly