The scale, scope and diversity of immigrant experience

Canada faces an unprecedented challenge in enabling newcomers to settle quickly and comfortably into Canadian life. Canada is a nation made up of largely immigrants. Immigrants bring with them a wealth of expertise and education, and contribute enormously to Canadian society and its economic well-being.

The process of integrating into Canada, however, is one that requires much effort on the parts of individual immigrants. All immigrants face adjustments in their adopted country, and the settling process can be very disruptive and stressful.

Immigrants typically experience three phases of adjustment after their arrival in Canada.

• First, newcomers are in a heightened state of expectation and anticipation. This phase is often referred to as “honeymoon” phase. Sometimes, the hopes and expectations are unrealistic because of the lack of information to immigrants about average Canadian life.

• Second, newcomers encounter challenges and frustrations in their adjustment to life in Canada, and may need to alter some of their expectations. Immigrants experience a vast range of emotions during this phase, some finding the experience exciting while others are depressed and lonely. No reaction is right or wrong, but immigrants’ experiences can be made better or worse depending on the support they receive and the resources they have.

• Third, although setbacks and frustrations still occur, they are more relevant to the regular ups and downs of life than particular experiences associated with being immigrant.

The duration of time associated with these phases is unpredictable. Some people move through the phases very quickly and for others many years will pass before they feel comfortable. A great number of variables affect each immigrant’s experience.

Learning to adapt to a new culture, climate, and language requires a great deal of learning, and newcomers fare better if they are exposed to information about Canada in multiple ways, through various sources, and at different times.

Please come out - catch up - take membership - and keep the momentum going... http://www.ankurcanada.org/

"ANKUR" is a non-profit organization that promotes multicultural activities in Canada. This organization was founded in 2005 to sustain a supportive and proactive environment in which people from diverse backgrounds can come together for social interaction and cultural enrichment. It's objective is to celebrate cultural and ethnic activities that enrich the Canadian society in resonance with the philosophy that multiculturalism promotes equality for all regardless of color, culture, ethnicity, race, language, beliefs with a view to bringing social harmony in Canada.

Multiculturalism – A Canadian Value
We do not want that any individual should forget the land of their origin or their ancestors. Let them look to the past, but let them also look to the future; let them look to the land of their ancestors, but let them also look to the land of their children.

Immigrants have enriched Canada with their ideas and talents: Canada is a society built around existing Aboriginal peoples, two founding European cultures, and successive waves of immigration. Canada reflects a cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity that is found nowhere else on the earth.

The Multiculturalism Policy is based on the fundamental values that unite Canadians, such as respect for human rights, equality, and recognition of diversity.

Canada embraced diversity both in policy and practice. Diversity benefits the country economically and socially. By drawing upon the rich skills and ideas of individuals of different backgrounds, Canada gains competitive advantage over the nations.

The Arts in a Multicultural Canada:
Artists are creators, visionaries, and teachers and link us to our past and future. They query prejudices, break down barriers and challenge us to do the same. The arts provide a safe place for citizens to engage in democratic dialogue.

We know that there is much work to be done. A gap still exists between the expressed values of the Multiculturalism Policy and experience of many Canadians. We have yet to reach our goal of an inclusive society where diversity is embraced by everyone and where women and men of all backgrounds and beliefs have equal opportunities.

We have to remind ourselves that this is a work in progress that requires sustained attention, vigilance and commitment.

Please come out - catch up - take membership - and keep the momentum going... http://www.ankurcanada.org/

Tough times don't last - Tough people do : Madoff Victim, 90, Is Back In "The Market"

(CBS News) At the supermarket in Ben Lomond, California, the newest employee is also the oldest - though you might not believe just how old.

"I'm 90, and I'll be 91 in May and, uh, so what!" says Ian Thiermann.

At 90, after 30 years of retirement, Thiermann is back at work for $10 an hour, handing out the weekly specials, reports CBS News correspondent John Blackstone.

Thiermann is here because he lost, big time, when Bernie Madoff was arrested for running his Ponzi scheme and Thiermann's investment manager called to say: "I have lost everything! You have lost everything. And he just almost fainted on the phone," Thiermann recalls.

Thiermann and his wife Terry live in a modest home. Their $700,000 in retirement money seemed like enough to keep them going with some left over for charity.

Blackstone asks: "So you go from being a donor to the food banks to being…"

"A recipient," Terry Thiermann laughs.

Their long term investments turned out to be a long term fraud.

"Every piece of paperwork we received was a lie," she says.

A court document listing Madoff's victims in tiny print runs to an astounding 162 pages. Many on the document lost millions. The Thiermanns though are not focusing on what they have lost, but on what they still have.

So Thiermann, who once owned a large and successful tree care business in Los Angeles, is now selling groceries.

He never complains, says store manager Ron Clements.

"He is that right person. He's that special person," says Clements.

Thiermann's secret may be that he has seen this before - old enough to remember the 1930's when his family lost everything.

"You gotta be positive," he says. "Otherwise life is too short."

Ian Thiermann seems to prove that old saying: tough times don't last, tough people do.

She without arm, he without leg - ballet - Hand in Hand

Worry doesnʼt help tomorrowʼs troubles, but it does ruin todayʼs happiness.

Taking people to the top is what good leaders do. Leadership is an open mind and an open heart...

o Leadership is all about placing people in the right place so they can be successful.

o As a leader, you should always challenge people to move out of their comfort zone, but never out of their strength zone.

o If you want to lead, you must learn. If you want to continue to lead, you must continue to learn.

o Discover your uniqueness, and then discipline yourself to develop it.

o Leadership finds its source in understanding.

o The choices we make in critical moments help to form us and to inform others about who we are.

o Taking people to the top is what good leaders do. Leadership is an open mind and an open heart.

o Leadership is relational as much as it is positional. An individual who takes a relational approach to leadership will never be lonely. Leadership is above all courageous.

o Following your passion is the key to finding your potential.

o Listen to whispers and you wonʼt have to hear the screams.

o All leaders have two common characteristics. First, they are going somewhere; second, they are able to persuade other people to go with them.

o The person interested in success has to learn to view failure as a healthy, inevitable part of the process of getting the top.

o Itʼs wonderful when the people believe in their leader. Itʼs more wonderful when their leader believes in people.

o Experiences teach nothing, but evaluated experience teaches everything.

o In prosperity prepare for a change; in adversity hope for one.

o The real work is putting excitement into your work.

o Positional people desire to climb the ladder; relational people are more focused on building bridges. Troubles are often the tools.

First Day Of My Practicum At Welcome Center For Immigrants

Dear Children, Good Evening.

Today, February 09, 2009 I have done my first day of my Practicum at ‘Millwoods Welcome Centre for Immigrants.’ I went to the office on time in the morning at 8: 45am and left the office after 4 p.m. All the staff members are cooperative and with willing attitude.

Marcella, Volunteer Co-ordinator introduced me to Lubna, Employment Counsellor, Jane, Settlement Counsellor, Arshad, Settlement Counsellor, Paul Settlement/ Housing Coordinator. And she also advised me to work / observe Intake Procedures with Yolande at the Front Desk. Yolande is also Career & Employment Counsellor, who works two days here in this centre.

I assisted clients on filling up new intake forms. Filed couple of letters. And also assisted clients with outgoing faxes and photocopying documents. I am learning new things needed to my work.

With Love,
Amma-Naana

Dear Naana! Our Hearty Congratulations on Successfully Graduating Administration Professional Diploma! Thank You For Inspiring Us!

My Dearest Tataiah

Hearty thanks for giving us the dedication of your outstanding determination, hard work and good nature in the form of Administrative diploma graduation. We are in awe of your abilities. Vikram, Vinod and I are excited to have you guide us and inspire us.

Lots of kisses and hugs from
Pragathi Konda

Campbell College - Pictures Taken During Christmas