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 If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it.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

Health in HIPPY homes: Exploring women’s experiences of gender, motherhood and social support as determinants of health during refugee resettlement in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Thousands of refugee families are resettled across Canada each year, and many must navigate parenthood while simultaneously contending with resettlement challenges. Refugee women are primarily responsible for care work yet often face disproportionate barriers to information, resources, and access to health services. We leveraged a community-engaged research approach with several project partners to: i) explore the scope, nature, and extent of literature examining the influence of gender norms, roles, and expectations on health and wellbeing during resettlement; ii) explore women’s diverse conceptualizations of health and what it means to be healthy; iii) identify barriers and resilience factors for health and wellbeing during resettlement, including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic; iv) explore women’s experiences of gender as a determinant of health during resettlement, specifically in the context of motherhood; and v) explore the role of participation in Multicultural Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), a home visiting program, in promoting health during resettlement. We conducted a scoping review, followed by surveys, in-depth interviews, and collage-building with refugee mothers (n=28) enrolled in the HIPPY program delivered by the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association. Data were analyzed using a participatory inductive deductive thematic analysis. Our findings establish gender roles, norms, and expectations as important determinants of health, mediating experiences of other social determinants of health during resettlement. Participation in HIPPY promoted wellbeing during resettlement and the COVID-19 pandemic by mitigating social isolation and improving women’s access to information and resources for health and parenting in Canada. Thousands of refugee families are resettled across Canada each year, and many must navigate parenthood while simultaneously contending with resettlement challenges. Refugee women are primarily responsible for care work yet often face disproportionate barriers to information, resources, and access to health services. We leveraged a community-engaged research approach with several project partners to: i) explore the scope, nature, and extent of literature examining the influence of gender norms, roles, and expectations on health and wellbeing during resettlement; ii) explore women’s diverse conceptualizations of health and what it means to be healthy; iii) identify barriers and resilience factors for health and wellbeing during resettlement, including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic; iv) explore women’s experiences of gender as a determinant of health during resettlement, specifically in the context of motherhood; and v) explore the role of participation in Multicultural Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), a home visiting program, in promoting health during resettlement. We conducted a scoping review, followed by surveys, in-depth interviews, and collage-building with refugee mothers (n=28) enrolled in the HIPPY program delivered by the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association. Data were analyzed using a participatory inductive deductive thematic analysis. Our findings establish gender roles, norms, and expectations as important determinants of health, mediating experiences of other social determinants of health during resettlement. Participation in HIPPY promoted wellbeing during resettlement and the COVID-19 pandemic by mitigating social isolation and improving women’s access to information and resources for health and parenting in Canada.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

YYC Airport Services for Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs)

The YYC Airport Services for TFWs Program launched on October 1, 2022, to be the first point of contact for TFWs and other migrant workers arriving at Calgary’s International Airport before destining to their place of employment. The program utilized a service delivery model that focused on airport reception, client outreach, and parternship development. This report provides a summary of project activities and evaluative findings gathered from October 1, 2022 – March 31, 2024. The YYC Airport Services for TFWs Program launched on October 1, 2022, to be the first point of contact for TFWs and other migrant workers arriving at Calgary’s International Airport before destining to their place of employment. The program utilized a service delivery model that focused on airport reception, client outreach, and parternship development. This report provides a summary of project activities and evaluative findings gathered from October 1, 2022 – March 31, 2024.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Prairie Community Supports for Temporary Foreign Workers Program

The Prairie Community Supports for Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) Program launched October 1, 2022, and is the continuation of the TFW Prairie Region Support Project. The program goal is to deliver a coordinated and collaborative approach to support migrant workers/TFWs across the Prairie Provinces. This report provides a summary of evaluative findings for this program from October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024. The Prairie Community Supports for Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) Program launched October 1, 2022, and is the continuation of the TFW Prairie Region Support Project. The program goal is to deliver a coordinated and collaborative approach to support migrant workers/TFWs across the Prairie Provinces. This report provides a summary of evaluative findings for this program from October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Empowering new beginnings: A holistic evaluation of a community-developed multi-sports program for new-to-Canada refugee youths and its impact on physical literacy, mental wellbeing and social health

Resettlement for refugee youth in Canada presents multifaceted challenges, notably in integrating into existing social structures, including sports and physical activity (PA) programs. Sports and PA programs can play a crucial role in promoting physical and mental well-being, yet refugee youth often face lower participation rates compared to their Canadian-born counterparts. To address this gap, this study investigated the impact of a community-developed multi-sport program, the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) multi-sport program, on the physical literacy (PL) development and psychosocial well-being of young refugees in Calgary, AB, Canada. The program aimed to equip refugee youth with the tools to embrace sports and PA opportunities in their new environment, fostering physical well-being and a sense of belonging. A total of 16 refugee youth participants between the ages of 13-19 years old (Mean age = 16.00±1.75, n =14 males) were recruited for this study and were living in temporary housing (M = 1.19 months on arrival) while being assisted by CCIS during their resettlement period. The study employed mixed methods, including the PLAY-basic tool and a modified PLAY-self questionnaire, to assess program effects on various PL domains. Qualitative data from focus group interviews and an ethnographic approach provided further insights into the program’s broader impact on well-being and social health. Resettlement for refugee youth in Canada presents multifaceted challenges, notably in integrating into existing social structures, including sports and physical activity (PA) programs. Sports and PA programs can play a crucial role in promoting physical and mental well-being, yet refugee youth often face lower participation rates compared to their Canadian-born counterparts. To address this gap, this study investigated the impact of a community-developed multi-sport program, the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) multi-sport program, on the physical literacy (PL) development and psychosocial well-being of young refugees in Calgary, AB, Canada. The program aimed to equip refugee youth with the tools to embrace sports and PA opportunities in their new environment, fostering physical well-being and a sense of belonging. A total of 16 refugee youth participants between the ages of 13-19 years old (Mean age = 16.00±1.75, n =14 males) were recruited for this study and were living in temporary housing (M = 1.19 months on arrival) while being assisted by CCIS during their resettlement period. The study employed mixed methods, including the PLAY-basic tool and a modified PLAY-self questionnaire, to assess program effects on various PL domains. Qualitative data from focus group interviews and an ethnographic approach provided further insights into the program’s broader impact on well-being and social health.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

All Together Now Program (EMCA) Theory of Change

The Theory of Change for the All Together Now Program of the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition Association (EMCA). The aim of the program is to empower community leaders (called ‘animators’) from racialized and culturally diverse communities to help develop and strengthen the community. EMCA hopes to build bridges between community members, animators and mainstream stakeholders in the immigrant serving sector. The Theory of Change for the All Together Now Program of the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition Association (EMCA). The aim of the program is to empower community leaders (called ‘animators’) from racialized and culturally diverse communities to help develop and strengthen the community. EMCA hopes to build bridges between community members, animators and mainstream stakeholders in the immigrant serving sector.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

All Together Now Program (EMCA) Logic Model

The 2024 updated program logic model for the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition Association’s All Together Now Program. The 2024 updated program logic model for the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition Association’s All Together Now Program.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Introducing the Integrated Services Delivery Model (ISDM)

An overview of the new Integrated Services Delivery Model (ISDM) for the Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth (CBFY). IDSM coordinates services from the Connect Team, the Bridge Link Team, and the NEST Teams. An overview of the new Integrated Services Delivery Model (ISDM) for the Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth (CBFY). IDSM coordinates services from the Connect Team, the Bridge Link Team, and the NEST Teams.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The implementation of community translation by newcomer serving organizations in the city of Edmonton

The City of Edmonton is a diverse and constantly evolving city. As more newcomers move to the city, the need for specific language resources changes and organizations must adapt to these changes. Edmonton has many organizations that specifically assist newcomers with integrating into society. These organizations include Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA), Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA), Action for Healthy Communities, Catholic Social Services and the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN), among others. Other organizations provide services to specific cultural groups, such as language and culture schools, which also assist newcomers. This thesis will discuss the research project “Mapping Spaces of Translation and Interpretation in Edmonton,” which mapped and documented organizations that make use of translation and interpretation to provide services for newcomers, immigrants, and refugees, within Edmonton and surrounding areas. The project sought to research the following two questions: 1) How do organizations within the city of Edmonton that provide services to newcomers utilize translation (text-to-text) or interpretation (spoken/verbal) to facilitate their services? 2) What challenges do these organizations face in using translation and interpretation while providing their services? The City of Edmonton is a diverse and constantly evolving city. As more newcomers move to the city, the need for specific language resources changes and organizations must adapt to these changes. Edmonton has many organizations that specifically assist newcomers with integrating into society. These organizations include Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA), Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA), Action for Healthy Communities, Catholic Social Services and the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN), among others. Other organizations provide services to specific cultural groups, such as language and culture schools, which also assist newcomers. This thesis will discuss the research project “Mapping Spaces of Translation and Interpretation in Edmonton,” which mapped and documented organizations that make use of translation and interpretation to provide services for newcomers, immigrants, and refugees, within Edmonton and surrounding areas. The project sought to research the following two questions: 1) How do organizations within the city of Edmonton that provide services to newcomers utilize translation (text-to-text) or interpretation (spoken/verbal) to facilitate their services? 2) What challenges do these organizations face in using translation and interpretation while providing their services?
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Supporting Women Newcomers in Canada: Key Considerations for Inclusive Programming

This learning note identifies provides a brief overview of the how compounding vulnerabilities and responisbilities shape the experiences of newcomer women throughout the settlement journey. It offers key considerations for designing inclusive and effective programs to support the diverse experiences of newcomer women in Canada. This learning note identifies provides a brief overview of the how compounding vulnerabilities and responisbilities shape the experiences of newcomer women throughout the settlement journey. It offers key considerations for designing inclusive and effective programs to support the diverse experiences of newcomer women in Canada.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Supporting the Mental Health of Newcomers in Canada: Key Insights and Recommendations for Programming

This learning note identifies key insights and challenges that newcomers experience in relation to their mental health and provides recommendations for how programs and services can support the mental health of newcomers in Canada. This learning note identifies key insights and challenges that newcomers experience in relation to their mental health and provides recommendations for how programs and services can support the mental health of newcomers in Canada.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly