Evaluation of the Welcoming Communities Initiative

Activities	Impacts on Newcomers
Welcome Here – Phase II
Development of multilingual resources Partnerships between settlement agencies and Family Resource Program	Newcomers have greater access to resources in their language; Increased participation of new immigrant parents in community based program; and Reduced impact of discrimination through the empowerment of new immigrant parents as a result of their active participation in community programs.
Stop Racism – March 21^st YMCA Youth Event
One-day Event: Anti-racism day for youth	Greater understanding of concepts of oppression and strategies for stopping racism; Increased awareness of racism and discriminatory practices; and Developed skills in the area of public speaking and communication on issues related to racism.
Anti-racism and Human Rights Outreach Project
Workshops: Anti-Racism and Discrimination in the Workplace Anti-Racism and Human Rights in Tenancy Anti-Racism and Human Rights for Seniors Anti-racism and Discrimination in Canada Anti-Racism and Equity Workshop for Youth Anti-Racism and Equity Workshop for Parents Welcoming Newcomers to Canada: Canadian Culture Information for Newcomers	Newcomer parents and youth are encouraged to have a dialogue about racism, diversity and human rights in a safe environment; Parents are provided with tools to talk to youth about diversity and racism issues; Increased understanding of multiculturalism amongst youth and parents; Increased capacity of immigrants and refugees to recognize, understand and exercise human rights; and Participants feel more comfortable with their abilities to deal with diversity.
La Caravanne
Workshops delivered in Classrooms	Increase youth understanding of the consequences related to prejudices, racism and discrimination in all its forms
Rural Community Awareness Program
Anti-racism / Anti Bullying / Stereotyping / Discrimination Workshops Presentations promoting Peace Overcoming Adversity: Refugee Stories Citizenship and Identity Learning about Other Cultures and Children’s Rights	Increased awareness amongst newcomer youth about other cultures and Canadian multiculturalism; and Knowledge and understanding of children rights and responsibilities.
Peel Police Agreement
Events Information Resources	Newcomers learn about Police Department and law enforcement in Canada and are much less apprehensive to approach them and ask for help.
Equality Initiative – Anti-racism & Anti Discrimination Toolkit
The Anti-racism Toolkit Brochure	Increased knowledge about racism and issues related to discrimination and prejudice.
Sharing Our Cultures
Pairing children Games played around the world Events	Students of different backgrounds learn from each other and developing friendships; Acceptance of one’s own culture and differences; Increased cross -cultural understanding of school children; and Multiculturalism awareness and awareness about people who share a similar background (i.e. Latin American).

Activities	Impacts on Receiving Communities
Welcome Here – Phase II
Develop partnerships among settlement agencies and family resources programs Develop and implement community action plans in four pilot sites across Canada Develop and disseminate a Welcome Here web based toolkit and the translation of parenting and program resources into a number of languages	Increased availability of resources and training to staff in family resource programs; and Improved effectiveness of family resource programs in serving newcomers.
Safe Harbour: Respect for All
Training, orientation, mobilization and recruitment of local businesses and agencies for the Safe Harbour initiative Creating material and resources for community organizations	Businesses and organizations are more understanding of diversity and welcoming to newcomers from various backgrounds; Community employees are better equipped to address the issues of prejudice and discrimination in their respective organizations; and Increased involvement of business and employees in efforts to create more welcoming communities by forming partnership and sharing of best practices.
Welcoming Communities Forum 2008 – March
Welcoming Communities Forum Forum Binder – Book of information for forum participants (e.g. contained information on immigration and settlement resources; employment resources, retaining foreign workers)	Stakeholders are engaged in discussions of what they can do to help newcomers in their communities; Creation of Welcoming Communities Committee to work on identifying community actions to create more welcoming communities; and Increased networking and collaboration between various stakeholders.
Stop Racism – March 21^st YMCA Youth Event
One-day Event: Anti-racism day for youth	Greater understanding of concepts of oppression and strategies for stopping racism; Increased awareness among Canadian-born youth of issues related to racism and discriminatory practices; Developed skills in the areas of public speaking and communication on issues related to racism; and Development of friendships and understanding amongst various cultural groups of youth.
Anti-racism and Human Rights Outreach Project
Provides educational workshops, consultations, and information about relevant issues	Dialogue about racism, diversity and human rights is encouraged in a safe environment; Increased sensitivity to racism and discrimination; Increased intercultural and cultural understanding in a work place; Managers, human resource professionals, and landlords are updated on human rights legislation and law; Increased sensitivity of service providers to racism, discrimination; and Ethno-cultural Community Organizations develop leadership skills to help clients navigate through Alberta’s human rights legislation in areas of workplace and tenancy.
La Caravanne
Workshops delivered in classrooms	Increased youth understanding of the consequences related to prejudices, racism and discrimination in all its forms.
Rural Community Awareness Program
Workshops and events that bring together volunteers from different backgrounds to share stories, experiences, and culture to give a perspective on their journey to becoming a settled newcomer to the community	Increased awareness amongst youth about other cultures and Canadian multiculturalism; and Increased understanding of immigrants struggle to adjust and integrate to new communities.
Toolbox Development Project
Development of online information, brochure and toolbox on recruiting and retaining newcomers in smaller centers	Staff of community organizations, businesses, and municipalities better trained to address issues such as racism and discrimination and retain immigrants.
Karibuni – Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations
Workshops to help participants explore the experiences, challenges and barriers facing newcomers to Canada Identify ways to build equitable and inclusive spaces for immigrants in their new communities	Increased knowledge and skills of community organization staff to provide culturally sensitive services; and Increased participation of the service providers in building strategies to address racism and discrimination in their communities.
Peel Police Agreement: Peel Regional Police Dept.
The Diversity Cup Youth Event Diversity Media Sergeant Race Against Racism Event	Increased trust and acceptance of other cultures in the community; Increased communication between various ethnic groups; Media promotion of benefits of various ethnic groups to the community; and Bringing community together through sports and common purpose.
Sharing Our Cultures
Pairing children together to share their culture Organizing students to join March 21^st International Day against racism	Children are more accepting and familiar with other cultures; Children learn through playing games originating from different cultures; and Developing friendships through celebrating diversity.

Activities	Impacts on Settlement Sector
Welcoming Communities Forum 2008 – March
Welcoming Communities Forum Forum Binder – Book of information for forum participants (e.g. contained information on immigration and settlement resources, employment resources, and retaining foreign workers)	Increased capacity of settlement sector staff to network and collaborate with various stakeholders on developing strategies to create more welcoming communities.
Anti-Racism and Human Rights Outreach Project
Provide educational workshops and orientation services about racism, discrimination, diversity and equity issues One-on-one consultations	Increased understanding of settlement staff of the issues related to racism and its human rights implications; Greater intercultural and cultural competency among service providers; and Increased sensitivity of service providers to racism, discrimination.
Toolbox Development Project
Develop online information, brochure and toolbox on recruiting and retaining newcomers in smaller centres	Increased ability of staff from various organizations including settlement sector to address issues such as racism and discrimination and retain immigrants; and Increased confidence of service providers to deal with racism and discrimination.
Karibuni – Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations
Workshops and discussion tables to assist service provider representatives who work with newcomers learn about challenges and barriers facing newcomers to Canada, and identify strategies to build equitable and inclusive spaces for immigrants	Increased participation of the service providers in building strategies to address racism and discrimination in their communities.
Equality Initiative – Anti-racism & Anti Discrimination Toolkit
Develop curriculum for settlement staff to be empowered to support clients The Anti-Racism Toolkit Brochure Training seminars and workshops	Better understanding of different type of racism among settlement workers (the toolkit helps to teach the structure of racism); and Agency staff is better able to respond, address & support their clients.

Evaluation of the Welcoming Communities Initiative

Appendix C: Case Studies – Activities and Reported Impacts by Target Group

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