Shaping our Community - Engaging Newcomers as Volunterers

Through all the services provided by CANAVUA, we intervene at all stages of the integration process namely with:

Settlement

In Edmonton’s Francophone community, we have taken leadership with our food bank service and health navigator (initial needs of newcomers), driving license training, help with moving, pairing volunteers with newcomers, official team, Meals on Wheels, and volunteer recognition.  Newcomers who have volunteered with CANAVUA have provided an invaluable contribution to the lives of other newcomers, Canadians, and other organizations such as casinos, workshops, bicycle races and events. Upon arrival, newcomers find transitional employment in the four main sectors of manufacturing, construction, transportation and food services.  By volunteering, CANAVUA prepares newcomers to integrate into the labour market as follows: - Food Bank: Manufacturing, construction, food services - Health Navigator and Support: Transportation, health care - Official Team: Food, health care - Driver’s License Program: Transportation - Meals by Bus: Food services Adaptation By way of our mandate (promoting and enhancing volunteering in the Francophone community), CANAVUA emphasizes newcomer volunteer training so that they understand Canada’s social and cultural norms, improve their language skills, create contacts and befriend other members of the community. CANAVUA’s volunteering programs allow newcomers to reach their potential as productive members of the community and bring a positive contribution to the quality of life of their fellow citizen and the entire community. Our volunteers gain a personal sense of accomplishment by being an important resource of all our programs. They acquire a sense of self-esteem by sharing their talents in order to help others through our various programs. Integration Newcomers integrate in the community by means of volunteering and have the possibility to increase their chances of finding employment and the benefit of professional experience. During the last fiscal year, we recruited 156 new volunteers in Edmonton and 58 in Calgary. Several CANAVUA volunteers help newcomers in areas such as learning about Canadian society and culture, improving language and communication skills, expanding their social networks, and strengthening their capacity to access resources and community services. CANAVUA's volunteer service comes in 3 ways: Volunteer Support •       Welcome and information to customers  •       Orientation, training session for our volunteers •       Volunteer placement •       75% of our volunteers are newcomers Organizational Support •       Analysing their needs  •       Recruiting volunteers •       Pizza donation for events •       Loan of vehicles and buses Personal Support •       Health Navigator (medical transportation, support, etc.) •       Driver’s license course (Class 7) •       Food bank •       Moving and purchasing furniture assistance with the Centre d’accueil et d’établissement •       Meals by Bus •       75% of our beneficiaries are newcomers Through all of our diverse services and programs, we regularly and proudly serve the needs of Francophone newcomers in Alberta.