Newcomers

Helping Newcomers Fulfill Their Potential

Asha Isse has lots to smile about. She is one of the people who have been helped by Haween Enterprises. In Somali, "Haween" means "women power." In this corner of Rexdale, it means job training, help with childcare, and a community that nurtures leadership and self-sufficiency among newcomer women. The community-based sewing company is proudly supported by United Way's Toronto Enterprise Fund. (Photo: Veronica Henri)

The Situation

More than 49 per cent of Toronto's population was born outside Canada, making it the most ethnically diverse city in North America. Our challenge is to help newcomers leverage their potential—new Canadians bring entrepreneurial vision, financial capital and fresh cultural perspectives to our city. They also help to sustain our population and tax base as the current labour force ages and retires.

Many immigrants who were selected to become Canadian citizens based on their educational credentials face barriers in having their credentials recognized in Canada. As a result, newcomers earn substantially less than a Canadian-born counterpart, regardless of education.

The Facts

  • 35% of recent newcomers are low-income (2007).
  • In 2006, 36% of newcomers aged 25-54 held university degrees, in contrast to only 22% of those born in Canada.
  • Recent newcomers with a university degree were much more likely than their Canadian-born counterparts to be working in occupations that typically require no formal education (2004).
  • Toronto is the most likely destination to be chosen by business class newcomers—investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed persons. Almost one-quarter of applicants to Canada (23%) choose Toronto for its employment possibilities, but our ability to retain and fully utilize the opportunity such newcomers bring is less developed.

United Way Support

Helping newcomers achieve their potential is one of United Way's key priorities. In 2004, 61 United Way agencies helped 218,000 newcomer participants establish new lives in Canada with employment services, English language classes, settlement counselling and translation services. Our agencies enabled 8,000 newcomer participants find jobs—4,000 of whom found jobs related to their professional skills and training.

Photo: Mike Fuhrmann

Support United Way and you'll support people like Zhong Liu

When Zhong (John) Liu arrived in Canada in 2001, he brought with him a young family, 11 years of accounting experience and a dream. "Going abroad is a dream for most Chinese, to give your family a chance to succeed in western countries," Liu says. Liu had experience in his field in China and a good knowledge of English but was unfamiliar with many Canadian business practices and tax laws.

After 500 cold calls and nearly 200 faxes yielded no results, he became involved with Skills for Change, a United Way agency that offers skills-specific mentoring for internationally trained professionals. Liu was teamed up with mentor Seumas So, an accountant with Ontario Power Generation, who coached him on resume and job-hunting skills. The mentorship usually lasts four months, but Liu's wrapped up in three because he got a job. Liu says he will never forget how much he owes Skills for Change, and especially his mentor.

Today he is an accountant with a Richmond Hill apparel importer, holds a master's degree from Brock University, is close to earning a certified general accounting certificate and is settling in with his wife and son.

Adapted from an article in Toronto Star, October 8, 2003, by Frank Calleja.

How your dollars make an impact

$80 provides a three-hour conversation circle for 15 newcomers to help them learn English and integrate into Canada.

$320 provides a newcomer with job search skills, on-the-job training and a placement with an employer in his or her field.

$536 provides a four-week school-readiness program for two young newcomer children, preparing them for their early education and increasing their chances for success at school.

$1,025 allows a low-income newcomer teen to attend an after-school program three days a week for a year, with English language training, homework tutorials and sessions on social and communications skills, helping increase confidence and adjust to school.

With your generosity, United Way agencies are able to provide helpful support to newcomers, enabling them to leverage their potential in Canada

Your donation will make a difference by supporting:

  • Job training, work placements and career counselling
  • English language classes and computer training
  • Orientation and settlement programs
  • Outreach to isolated newcomers
  • Interpretation and translation
  • Support for refugees and survivors of torture
  • Programs for newcomer youth, helping them deal with culture shock, family separation, isolation and peer pressure

Download the brochure: Helping Newcomers Fulfill Their Potential (pdf - 344 KB).