Please note, this is not an open access database or repository. We have focused on creating simple summaries of reports and articles that we have accessed through websites and academic journals, with a focus on key findings, so that even if a full report is not free to access you can reference it. When possible, we include a link to wherever the original document is hosted (which may or may not be open-access). If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it. There are also some reports that will have been submitted directly to the project. In this case, these reports are uploaded directly with permission from the author or publisher. Any original documents found on this site are stored in Canada on our secure servers

Edmonton group helping 2SLGBTQ+ refugees gets funding from new Black Ideas Grant program

The Calgary-based Foundation for Black Communities’ (FFBC) Black Ideas Grant (BIG) Bridge and Build Program has provided funding for RaricaNow, an organization in Edmonton aiding 2SLGBTQ+ refugees. The numbers of 2SLGBTQ+ refugees continue to climb, and this grant will allow RaricaNow to provide housing and more settlement supports. The Calgary-based Foundation for Black Communities’ (FFBC) Black Ideas Grant (BIG) Bridge and Build Program has provided funding for RaricaNow, an organization in Edmonton aiding 2SLGBTQ+ refugees. The numbers of 2SLGBTQ+ refugees continue to climb, and this grant will allow RaricaNow to provide housing and more settlement supports.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

UCalgary Researcher Aims to Improve Intersectional Experiences of LGBTQ2S+ Newcomers to Canada

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

Accessibility of domestic violence services in Canada for South Asian immigrant women

The accessibility of domestic violence services for South Asian immigrant women in several Canadian cities (Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal) is examined. There are challenges in seeking help for domestic violence in the South Asian community, which is highly unreported due to its private and personal nature. Main topics discussed are: 1) barriers that prevent South Asian immigrant women from seeking help, and 2) the current gaps in domestic violence services. Recommendations for domestic violence organizations to better address the needs of South Asian immigrant women are also included. The accessibility of domestic violence services for South Asian immigrant women in several Canadian cities (Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal) is examined. There are challenges in seeking help for domestic violence in the South Asian community, which is highly unreported due to its private and personal nature. Main topics discussed are: 1) barriers that prevent South Asian immigrant women from seeking help, and 2) the current gaps in domestic violence services. Recommendations for domestic violence organizations to better address the needs of South Asian immigrant women are also included.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Edmonton’s Rainbow Refuge a safe haven for LGBTQ+ newcomers

The Rainbow Refuge Program (through the Edmonton Newcomer Centre, formerly called the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers) provides settlement services, housing support, settlement support and community building for 2SLGBTQ+ newcomers in Edmonton. Since the start of the program, the acceptance rate of 2SLGBTQ+ refugee claims in Edmonton has increased exponentially. The Rainbow Refuge Program (through the Edmonton Newcomer Centre, formerly called the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers) provides settlement services, housing support, settlement support and community building for 2SLGBTQ+ newcomers in Edmonton. Since the start of the program, the acceptance rate of 2SLGBTQ+ refugee claims in Edmonton has increased exponentially.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

At home here? LGBTQ refugees’ housing experiences in Alberta, Canada

Canada’s National Housing Strategy (2017) identifies LGBTQ2 people and newcomers (including refugees) as vulnerable groups within Canada’s housing system. Members of each group are known to experience significant barriers to housing in Canada. However, the unique experiences of LGBTQ refugees—who fall into both groups—have yet to be investigated. This thesis asks: To what extent are LGBTQ refugees able to access safe, stable and affordable housing in Alberta, Canada? Interviews and policy analysis found that LGBTQ refugees do not have adequate access to safe, stable and affordable housing in the province. They continue to experience significant barriers related to affordability, social housing supply, and discrimination, among other factors. Policy recommendations are also included in this thesis. Canada’s National Housing Strategy (2017) identifies LGBTQ2 people and newcomers (including refugees) as vulnerable groups within Canada’s housing system. Members of each group are known to experience significant barriers to housing in Canada. However, the unique experiences of LGBTQ refugees—who fall into both groups—have yet to be investigated. This thesis asks: To what extent are LGBTQ refugees able to access safe, stable and affordable housing in Alberta, Canada? Interviews and policy analysis found that LGBTQ refugees do not have adequate access to safe, stable and affordable housing in the province. They continue to experience significant barriers related to affordability, social housing supply, and discrimination, among other factors. Policy recommendations are also included in this thesis.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Sharing settlement and integration practices that work – Family Conflict Prevention Program: A Pathways to Prosperity Projec

The Family Conflict Prevention Program provides culturally-sensitive family violence services and supports in 13 different languages. Evaluation showed the program superseded their targets for keeping clients safe from violence/abuse, accessing community services and education on family violence. The Family Conflict Prevention Program provides culturally-sensitive family violence services and supports in 13 different languages. Evaluation showed the program superseded their targets for keeping clients safe from violence/abuse, accessing community services and education on family violence.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Health and well-being among trans and non-binary immigrants and newcomers

Research is lacking on the intersection between being trans or non-binary and a newcomer in Canada. Alberta, in particular, is one of the top 4 provinces where the most trans or non-binary immigrants reside. Reasons for immigration included: persecution, humanitarian claims, to access gender-affirming healthcare, employment, and/or education. Only 1 in 5 trans or non-binary newcomers accessed a settlement service within their first year in Canada. Trans or non-binary newcomers were 2x as likely to NOT have a primary healthcare provider than trans or non-binary second generation immigrants and trans or non-binary immigrants who have been in Canada for more than 5 years. Research is lacking on the intersection between being trans or non-binary and a newcomer in Canada. Alberta, in particular, is one of the top 4 provinces where the most trans or non-binary immigrants reside. Reasons for immigration included: persecution, humanitarian claims, to access gender-affirming healthcare, employment, and/or education. Only 1 in 5 trans or non-binary newcomers accessed a settlement service within their first year in Canada. Trans or non-binary newcomers were 2x as likely to NOT have a primary healthcare provider than trans or non-binary second generation immigrants and trans or non-binary immigrants who have been in Canada for more than 5 years.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Family Violence Broker and Apartment 1310: Annual Evaluation Report January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020

This report presents findings from the 2020 Family Violence (FV) Broker & Apartment 1310 program evaluations. This year’s evaluation was completed by Habitus Collective and covers the period from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The Family Violence Brokers are a supplementary, gender-based support to CCIS Cultural Brokerage Program (CCBP) families who present with family violence concerns. Apartment 1310 provides temporary accommodation and immediate programming for low-risk perpetrators of family violence who are mandated to separate from the family. Beginning in March 2020, the programs had to adapt to frequently changing circumstances and public health regulations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in office closures, work from home mandates, and periods when in-person contact with families was limited or not possible requiring adaptation to virtual or hybrid service delivery. Furthermore, families were and will continue to be facing pandemic-related challenges and stress, which may increase the likelihood or severity of family violence. From the period January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020, the Family Violence Brokers supported a total of 234 families, including 267 adults and 154 children. This was a 28.6% increase from the year prior despite a drop in total CCBP cases. Family Violence clients represented 47 countries of origin and 29 language groups. At the individual level, Canada, India, and the Philippines were the main countries of origin, which aligns to the main countries of origin for recent immigrants to Alberta as a whole. The majority of clients were Canadian Citizens (61%) or Permanent Residents (35%). Due to health restrictions, Apartment 1310 hosted only three residents this year. Evaluation activities revealed that the program along with Apartment 1310 are highly valued by Children’s Services staff, clients, and Brokers. This report presents findings from the 2020 Family Violence (FV) Broker & Apartment 1310 program evaluations. This year’s evaluation was completed by Habitus Collective and covers the period from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The Family Violence Brokers are a supplementary, gender-based support to CCIS Cultural Brokerage Program (CCBP) families who present with family violence concerns. Apartment 1310 provides temporary accommodation and immediate programming for low-risk perpetrators of family violence who are mandated to separate from the family. Beginning in March 2020, the programs had to adapt to frequently changing circumstances and public health regulations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in office closures, work from home mandates, and periods when in-person contact with families was limited or not possible requiring adaptation to virtual or hybrid service delivery. Furthermore, families were and will continue to be facing pandemic-related challenges and stress, which may increase the likelihood or severity of family violence. From the period January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020, the Family Violence Brokers supported a total of 234 families, including 267 adults and 154 children. This was a 28.6% increase from the year prior despite a drop in total CCBP cases. Family Violence clients represented 47 countries of origin and 29 language groups. At the individual level, Canada, India, and the Philippines were the main countries of origin, which aligns to the main countries of origin for recent immigrants to Alberta as a whole. The majority of clients were Canadian Citizens (61%) or Permanent Residents (35%). Due to health restrictions, Apartment 1310 hosted only three residents this year. Evaluation activities revealed that the program along with Apartment 1310 are highly valued by Children’s Services staff, clients, and Brokers.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Settlement agencies in Alberta blazing the trail for LGBTQ+ newcomers

Edmonton and Calgary have gained the status of being friendly cities to LGBTQ+ newcomers. This was started by the Rainbow Refugee Program at the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers; followed by the Centre for Newcomers, LGBTQ+ Refugee Centre Calgary, and End of the Rainbow Foundation in Calgary. The history of sexual orientation and gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE) refugees, the impact of the programs, and new barriers due to COVID-19 are discussed in this report. Edmonton and Calgary have gained the status of being friendly cities to LGBTQ+ newcomers. This was started by the Rainbow Refugee Program at the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers; followed by the Centre for Newcomers, LGBTQ+ Refugee Centre Calgary, and End of the Rainbow Foundation in Calgary. The history of sexual orientation and gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE) refugees, the impact of the programs, and new barriers due to COVID-19 are discussed in this report.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Three steps the next Canadian government can take to provide more pathways to safety for LGBTQI+ refugees

Rainbow Railroad, an organization that helps LGBTQ+ asylum-seekers get to a safe(r) country, calls upon the government to make 3 changes to the refugee system to create more pathways to safety for persecuted and displaced LGBTQ+ people. Rainbow Railroad, an organization that helps LGBTQ+ asylum-seekers get to a safe(r) country, calls upon the government to make 3 changes to the refugee system to create more pathways to safety for persecuted and displaced LGBTQ+ people.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly
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