February 2012_2 - Global Gathering Place

Congratulations Klaudia and Radoslaw!
On Valentine’s Day this year, the staff and
students at the Global Gathering Place were
very privileged and pleased to take a part in a
very special occasion. We celebrated the
wedding of Klaudia and Radoslaw!
We were very honoured and a bit surprised
when Klaudia approached us to ask if she could
hold her wedding in our office. She told us that
Global Gathering Place is like her home and the
staff and clients like family. Of course we agreed!
It was a simple and elegant service,
officiated by a Marriage Commissioner and
witnessed by GGP long-time volunteer, Maxine,
and GGP staff member, Lori. Volunteer, Ron,
photographed the event, Maxine provided the
beautiful and delicious wedding cake, and GGP
staff worked hard to make the office festive and
beautiful. Thank you to everyone for coming
together to make the day such a success for the
happy couple. We are just so pleased that they
chose to share this occasion with us!
Klaudia and Radoslaw moved to Canada
from Poland about three years ago. During that
time, they’ve lived in Calgary and Saskatoon,
and they celebrated the birth of their first child, a
daughter, Antosia, last September.
Everyone at GGP wishes Klaudia,
Radoslaw, and Antosia every ounce of
happiness and success in their future together.
May they share aspirations, hopes, dreams,
laughter, and conquests.
Love one another and you
will be happy. It's as simple
and as difficult as that.
~Michael Leunig
#307-506 25th Street East Saskatoon, SK S7K 4A7
phone: (306) 665-0268 fax: (306) 665-0440
www.globalgatheringplace.com
Life Skills
Our new address:
100 - 5th Avenue North
Saskatoon, SK S7K 2N7
Global Gathering Place is Moving!
Spring is a time of change and renewal. This spring, April 1st, will
mark the beginning of the next phase of the Global Gathering Place. It’s with
both excitement and trepidation that we look toward our big move. We’ll
host an Open House so that you will have an opportunity to see our new
home first-hand. Watch for the announcement.
Our new location will be fantastic! It’s right downtown, within easy
walking distance of downtown services, the bus mall, and Kiwanis Memorial
Park. The building itself is spacious and bright, and boasts ample room to
run all our programming, both now and well into the future.
We are extremely appreciative for the support we have received from
Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Ministry of Advanced
Education, Employment and Immigration. Without their funding,
understanding, and encouragement, this move would not be possible.
The past few months, especially December, were extremely busy
for the Life Skills Program. In the last three months, we welcomed over
sixty new clients to Saskatoon from countries such as Bhutan, Burma,
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, and Uzbekistan. When large groups of clients
arrive all at once, especially near the holidays when many businesses
and agencies are closed, it can be difficult to provide quality support
and attention. However, the GGP staff and volunteers worked
tirelessly throughout the holidays to accommodate and support so
many new arrivals and ensure that their safety and basic needs were
addressed. Once again, we hired a part-time Life Skills Worker, Joan
McDougall, to assist the Life Skills coordinator in providing clients with
orientation to their homes and the community at large. Joan’s
dedication, energy, and kindness made a wonderful impact on all the
people she worked with.
Despite Canadians’ repeated warnings about our menacingly
cold winters, this winter has been remarkably mild. It has prompted
many clients to explore the city, engage in new winter sports such as
skating, curling, and tobogganing, and delight in the beauty of fluffy,
white snow and sparkling frost. However, all the long underwear
shopping and demonstrations of layering winter clothes and bundling
for cold weather were not in vain; we had one week of terribly cold
weather. After this week of frigid, below -40°C temperatures, most of
our new clients emerged from a brief period of hibernation sounding
truly Canadian as they exclaimed to each other, “Nice day!” for the
-10°C temperatures.
Positive Media Attention
The Global Gathering Place has recently
been the recipient of some positive media attention.
Since December, we have been featured by C95
radio, CTV News, CBC News, and will appear in the
online publication Capital News out of Ottawa.
In December, we were interviewed by C95
Radio for their Christmas Wish Grand Prize.
Through our Women Exchanging Life’s Lessons
(WELL) program, we got to know a bit about Sara
Tut, a very courageous and hard-working single
mother of four. Her story inspired us to nominate her
for the C95 Christmas Wish contest, in which one
family would be the recipient of many marvelous
gifts, including a new car to keep. Sara won the
contest, and C95 generously let the Global
Gathering Place be part of the gifting and featured
us in their radio program for that day.
In early January, CTV News, as part of their
‘Campaign of Warmth’, brought a camera and
reporter to our office. They conducted an interview
with one of our staff and one of our clients, and
really highlighted our Coffee and Conversation
Program as well as the work we do as a Settlement
Agency. This clip appeared on both the News at
Noon and the Evening News.
In late January, CBC News sent a camera and
reporter to our Information Session, Dating in
Canada. This news story appeared on their late
night local news as well as the evening news and
was a featured video on their website as the story
behind their ‘poll of the day’.
As a spin-off from the CBC News story, we
were contacted by a reporter from the online
publication, Capital News. They will use the GGP
as an example of one centre in Canada that is
addressing the issue of the dating culture in
Canada. The story will appear in their publication
mid-February.
It is gratifying to be recognized as a centre Amanda, from CBC News, conducting
known for delivering excellent programming. It an interview with Adina about the
provides a welcome validation for the important and Dating in Canada Information Session.
well-received work that we do every day.
VOLUNTEER
SPOTLIGHT
S P OT L I G H T
VOLUNTEER
Bridget Elliott
Bridget
Elliott
Volunteerism continues to thrive at Global
Gathering Place. Over the winter months, our
volunteers have been very busy helping out in
Coffee and Conversation, ESL classes,
Homework Help sessions, Computer training
courses, and meeting with clients individually.
GGP volunteers bring something unique to our
programming and stretch beyond their volunteer
roles to help newcomers settle in Saskatoon. We
are so fortunate to have such capable volunteers
who go out of their way to independently assist
our clients look for jobs, housing, daycare,
vehicles, and household objects as well as get
them involved in the community. Thank you
Volunteers!
For this issue, Global Gathering Place
chose to spotlight Bridget Elliott. Bridget joined
our volunteer force in May of 2009. Initially,
Bridget was placed as a mentor and met with a
client weekly to offer support, Canadian
expertise, and language practice. This
mentorship grew into an everlasting friendship.
In January 2011, Bridget started assisting in the
Literacy class where she realized her passion for teaching English to newcomers. When the
opportunity came up for Bridget to teach a seniors’ English class voluntarily, she jumped at the
opportunity. Bridget has been doing an amazing job teaching a group of older adults every week.
Her students adore her and look forward to coming to GGP each week to practice their English.
Thank you Bridget for your kind heart, your positive teaching energy, and your commitment to the
Global Gathering Place. We greatly appreciate your contributions towards our programming.
1. Why did you decide to volunteer with the Global Gathering Place?
My family and I hosted an exchange student from Japan three years ago. It was a rewarding
experience that allowed us a window into Japanese culture as well as a way to "re-experience"
Canada, Saskatchewan, and Saskatoon through our student’s eyes. When our student returned to
Japan, I missed tutoring him in English as well as the cross-cultural experience so I decided to
volunteer with GGP.
2. What have you learned through volunteering at GGP?
Volunteering at GGP has been inspiring. It has taught me to appreciate so much that we take
for granted in Canada. The people I have worked with are inspiring in their attitudes, work ethic, and
determination. They make me want to be a better person and I am humbled to be considered a
teacher or tutor when I feel I learn so much from my students. The senior's class is such a great
atmosphere! I hope that when I am at the age of these students I have the energy and enthusiasm
to continue learning as they do.
3. Can you describe a memorable moment you have experienced?
As a one on one tutor, my tutor match and I began to meet at Starbuck's downtown. We would
meet for coffee and conversation, often discussing current issues. One day when we sat down with
our coffees, she told me that she felt like she was in a movie—kind of a "dream come true" moment.
I was happy to be there to share that moment. Especially so, as I have come to learn that there are
many hurdles and trying times as well in the life of a new immigrant.
4. What are your future plans?
I am finishing my TESL Certificate and hope to someday teach with GGP and/or one of the
other community agencies in Saskatoon. The work is so rewarding I would love to make it my
career.
Farewell, Gladys
The GGP Board of Directors bid farewell to Gladys Block at
their February Board meeting. Gladys served on the GGP Board
almost as long as GGP has existed; a constant pillar of strength
and resourcefulness that will be missed by Board and staff alike.
GGP owes its success in large part to the dedication of
volunteers such as Gladys. She remains an inspiration through
her invaluable contributions to the Board and her generous
philanthropy. We sincerely hope that Gladys will stop in to visit
often to mark our progress and say hello to friends old and new.
Welcome, Lilah!
Join us in welcoming Lilah Cram, our
newest ESL teacher. Lilah taught the Literacy
class over the summer holidays, and everyone
at GGP was thrilled that she agreed to join us
on a more permanent basis. She teaches the
morning and afternoon Literacy classes on
Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Lilah brings thirty years of teaching
experience to our programming and a world of
energy and creativity. Please join us in
welcoming Lilah!
ESL Update
The big news in GGP’s English Language
Programming is the addition of two additional
LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers)
classes and the expansion of our morning
Literacy class. Thank you to Citizenship and
Immigration Canada for this funding so that we
may work toward meeting the high demand for
English language instruction.
We now offer Literacy classes five days a
week, in both mornings and afternoons. These
are taught by teachers Dionne Wilkinson and
Lilah Cram. Also new is a LINC 1-2 class in our
Meadowgreen location on Tuesday and
Thursday afternoons. Charlene Shuttleworth
teaches this class.
Classes at GGP employ a
communicative approach with an emphasis on
communication and linking theory to real world
experiences. As part of this, the ESL students
were kept busy both inside and outside the
classroom with a mix of lessons and field trips.
A highlight was attending the FSIN SIGA
Pow Wow at Credit Union Centre in midNovember. The colourful regalia, rhythmic
drumming and singing, and different First
Nations traditional dances kept everyone
captivated.
Learning happens both in and out of
school. If you would like to improve your
English language skills at home on your own,
here are some websites that might help:
Ÿ
Guide to Grammar and Writing:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar
Ÿ
Writing Den:
http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/
Ÿ
ESL - Learning English with the CBC:
http://www.cbc.ca/ottawa/esl/
Ÿ
English Learner Online:
http://www.englishlearner.com/
Feature Funder Driving
Theory
House for Driver Theory
All Nations
The Global Gathering Place is
committed to collaborating and building
relationships with a wide scope of partners.
The Meadowgreen House for All Nations
was a natural fit because of its location in
the Meadowgreen neighbourhood, near to
many of our clients’ homes and its priority
to partner with groups that serve the
immigrant community. Although the House
for All Nations is a Christian church with a
focus on spreading its Christian values,
there has been a consistently high level of
respect for GGP’s programming, which is
independent of spiritual and religious
instruction.
We had the pleasure of sitting down
w i t h R i c k G u e n t h e r, f r o m t h e
Meadowgreen House for All Nations, to talk
to him about his organization. The House
for All Nations is a church plant started in
September of 2009 by the Ebenezer
Baptist Church with the idea of reaching out
to the immigrant, refugee, and First Nations
community in Saskatoon’s Meadowgreen
neighbourhood. During the first year, there
were no regular services; the doors were
opened to allow agencies to use the facility
for youth groups, community barbecues,
language classes, and even a health clinic.
Community potluck lunches followed by
informal church services began in
September of 2010.
The partnerships with outside
agencies have been very encouraging to
the people at the House for All Nations and
key to reaching out to the immigrant,
refugee, and First Nations community. The
church recognized that one of the greatest
challenges faced by community members
is low English language skills. Therefore,
as part of their mission to serve and
minister to the community, they sought to
offer language training, partnering with
agencies who have the skills and
experience to offer this kind of service.
The strongest of these partnerships is
with the Global Gathering Place. We run
programming out of the House for All
Nations five days a week: English classes
from Monday to Thursday, and the
BrightStart! program for mothers and their
young children on Fridays. All of this helps
the House for All Nations become an
important and visible part of the
Meadowgreen community and key to
reaching out.
In 2011 Global Gathering Place introduced a new course, Driving Theory, to our
existing programming. This class gives the participants everything they need to know
to pass the written portions of the Saskatchewan driving exam.
Over the past year, we offered Driving Theory to six different groups of eager
participants. Feedback from this program was very positive; students continue to
praise their certified SGI instructor for clearly explaining the rules of the road and
challenging them with a variety of driving scenarios. Past participants continue to
encourage new clients to sign up for this successful program.
Program participants go on to directly achieve their Class 7 licence. This
licence, or “Learner’s Licence”, allows Class 7 drivers to operate a vehicle under the
supervision of a qualified driver while they practice and improve their driving skills in
preparation for the Class 5 road test.
The excellent results, feedback, and overwhelming interest in this program from
our clients, speak for themselves. Starting in April, GGP is happy to announce that we
will expand to offer nine Driving Theory classes over the next year!
Watch for opportunities on our website and bulletin board, listen to
announcements in ESL classes, or stop by the office and speak to Afton if you’re
interested in getting involved in this program.
Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms
Preparation Time: 5 Minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes | Makes: 4-5 Servings
Ingredients:
1 cup crabmeat
½ cup cream cheese
½ cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
10 white mushroom caps
½ cup bread crumbs
salt
pepper
garlic powder
Nonstick cooking spray
Method:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine the crabmeat, cream cheese, parsley, green onions and Parmesan. Season with
salt, pepper, and garlic powder, to taste. Stuff the mushroom caps with the mixture and top
with bread crumbs. Spray the tops with nonstick spray to help them brown. Transfer to the
oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the filling is hot and melted.
In addition to GGP, important partners
include Saskatoon Open Door Society,
International Women of Saskatoon,
Saskatoon Health Region, the
Meadowgreen Community Association,
and the Mennonite Central Committee
Saskatchewan. There is a great diversity
of programming, including an African
dance troupe, a Burmese youth group, a
Burmese loom group, and diabetes
screening.
The Global Gathering Place is
grateful for all the support it receives from
the Meadowgreen House for All Nations.
The ability to offer programming in the
neighbourhood where clients live is of
great benefit. Thank you!
Programming at the Meadowgreen
House for All Nations