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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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

Alberta makes driver’s license exchange program for Ukrainian refugees permanent

Last year, Alberta launched a temporary 1 year driver’s license exchange program for Ukrainian refugees with a Ukrainian Category B or BE driver’s license. The goal of the program was to help refugees find and access employment and care for their families. As of April 18, 2024, this program is now permanent. Last year, Alberta launched a temporary 1 year driver’s license exchange program for Ukrainian refugees with a Ukrainian Category B or BE driver’s license. The goal of the program was to help refugees find and access employment and care for their families. As of April 18, 2024, this program is now permanent.
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.
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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

Addressing racialized populations’ barriers to affordable housing

People who experience houselessness in Edmonton are disproportionately from racialized populations. 1 in 5 racialized families in Canada will experience houselessness, compared to 1 in 20 White families. The need to improve affordable housing in Edmonton is imminent. This article describes strengths and weaknesses of the Final Report of the Alberta Affordable Housing Review Panel (2020) as it relates to racialized individuals in Edmonton. People who experience houselessness in Edmonton are disproportionately from racialized populations. 1 in 5 racialized families in Canada will experience houselessness, compared to 1 in 20 White families. The need to improve affordable housing in Edmonton is imminent. This article describes strengths and weaknesses of the Final Report of the Alberta Affordable Housing Review Panel (2020) as it relates to racialized individuals in Edmonton.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Searching for solace: Edmonton’s South Sudanese community adapts to their new home in a most challenging time

People from South Sudan arrived in Edmonton as landed immigrants in the early 1990s from countries that hosted them as refugees from the Second Sudanese Civil War. Today, Edmonton is home to more than 5,000 people from South Sudan. Alberta alone houses almost 30,000, the largest South Sudanese Canadian community in the country. Here, many South Sudanese work in nursing homes and meat-packaging plants. This, alongside high COVID death rates in the community, language barriers, financial strain, and mental health stigma, resulted in Edmonton’s South Sudanese community being disproportionately affected by COVID-19. People from South Sudan arrived in Edmonton as landed immigrants in the early 1990s from countries that hosted them as refugees from the Second Sudanese Civil War. Today, Edmonton is home to more than 5,000 people from South Sudan. Alberta alone houses almost 30,000, the largest South Sudanese Canadian community in the country. Here, many South Sudanese work in nursing homes and meat-packaging plants. This, alongside high COVID death rates in the community, language barriers, financial strain, and mental health stigma, resulted in Edmonton’s South Sudanese community being disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

How Have Members of Edmonton’s Islamic Community Been Doing During the Pandemic? A Summary of Survey Results

The Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA) conducted a survey of Edmonton’s Muslim community to understand their specific needs and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just under 20% of the community had partial knowledge, no knowledge, or an uncertain amount of knowledge about COVID-19, where the two most popular information sources were the government and social media. A third of respondents did not have adequate resources for physical distancing. Mental health was the highest reported concern for the community, and the IFSSA proposes recommendations for improving mental healthcare access and information sharing. The Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA) conducted a survey of Edmonton’s Muslim community to understand their specific needs and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just under 20% of the community had partial knowledge, no knowledge, or an uncertain amount of knowledge about COVID-19, where the two most popular information sources were the government and social media. A third of respondents did not have adequate resources for physical distancing. Mental health was the highest reported concern for the community, and the IFSSA proposes recommendations for improving mental healthcare access and information sharing.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Funding the Future for Refugee and Newcomer Youth

The article outlines the story of Vanessa Desa and how she founded the Edmonton Refugee and Emerging Community Scholarship fund to help refugee and newcomer youth pursue post-secondary opportunities. The article outlines the story of Vanessa Desa and how she founded the Edmonton Refugee and Emerging Community Scholarship fund to help refugee and newcomer youth pursue post-secondary opportunities.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

(Mis)Givings in a Prairie City? Identity and Belonging of Filipina (Im)Migrants in Lethbridge, Alberta

Migration is an experience of the self, a personal journey for those who leave their places of origin. The movement from one place to another carries with it material and subjective meanings. Mobility also implies change, transformation or seeming difference in its social interactions with another culture or a different social system. These changes undeniably affect one’s notion of identity and belonging. This chapter uses a feminist approach in examining selected personal case studies of Filipina immigrants in Lethbridge, a small city in southern Alberta. This chapter demonstrates how gender roles, labour migration and identity construction are interconnected. A concluding section deals with the prospect of whether these Filipina immigrants will stay or leave the city, emphasizing the best the city has to offer or not. Migration is an experience of the self, a personal journey for those who leave their places of origin. The movement from one place to another carries with it material and subjective meanings. Mobility also implies change, transformation or seeming difference in its social interactions with another culture or a different social system. These changes undeniably affect one’s notion of identity and belonging. This chapter uses a feminist approach in examining selected personal case studies of Filipina immigrants in Lethbridge, a small city in southern Alberta. This chapter demonstrates how gender roles, labour migration and identity construction are interconnected. A concluding section deals with the prospect of whether these Filipina immigrants will stay or leave the city, emphasizing the best the city has to offer or not.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Decolonizing Alberta’s Educational Policies to Make Possible the Integration of Refugee Youth Learners

Permitting entrance into the borders of Canada to migrants as asylum seekers opens yet a new chapter in the lives of these migrants. It is as though while they are being identified as asylum seekers or refugees, their identities and histories are simultaneously being erased. This article discusses the lack of educational policies that address the needs of refugee learners. Policies can serve to include or exclude refugee youth learners in educational contexts. A holistic approach to refugee education will lead to better outcomes for refugee youth. Positive policies include: welcoming atmosphere in schools; child-centered learning; community programing; supporting foundations. Permitting entrance into the borders of Canada to migrants as asylum seekers opens yet a new chapter in the lives of these migrants. It is as though while they are being identified as asylum seekers or refugees, their identities and histories are simultaneously being erased. This article discusses the lack of educational policies that address the needs of refugee learners. Policies can serve to include or exclude refugee youth learners in educational contexts. A holistic approach to refugee education will lead to better outcomes for refugee youth. Positive policies include: welcoming atmosphere in schools; child-centered learning; community programing; supporting foundations.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly