Humber College helping refugees
Canada has welcomed Syrian refugees into the country and the city of Etobicoke and Humber College plans to give a hand.
Toronto West Local Immigration Partnership held a refugee information session on Feb 5. 2016 to in form the public about how one can personally sponsor a Syrian refugee.
TWLIP is a network that brings together community stakeholders to create strategies and build connections with resources to assist private sponsors in getting their refugees back on their feet.
The information session spoke about connections to resources like language classes, employment opportunities, economic support, and schooling.
Manager of TWLIP Yasmeen Tian said, “that the partnership works to support their sponsors so that they can support their refugees.” Tian said that they are a way to give guidance and bring all the resources into one place.
Humber College is a resource that TWLIP is in partnership with. The college serves as a major resource that gives opportunity for education and basic learning essentials for refugees said Anabel Antunes from Community Outreach and Workplace Development at Humber. Humber personally advises immigrants and refugees on getting there educational careers going.
Antunes also said that language is one of the main barriers for immigrants and refugees coming to Canada. Which is why Humber offers link programs for level 6 English-speaking refugees.
Humber also provides multiple bridge programs that allow internationally trained immigrants with education and experience in their field opportunities to become employed here. “Our target is to place people in their field of work,” said Antunes.
“These programs have been in place for a long time and we are prepared to help any possible Syrian refugees looking to enroll.”
She also said that it would be some time before they see many refugees in these programs because it takes at least 3 months for immigrants to become settled in. This is because of the time it takes to find living and other essentials. Not to mention building basic language skills in order to become an active member within the community.
However Humber currently has a refugee enrolled in classes and is doing well with adjusting Antunes said but couldn’t give any more details about the student.
Humber student Jason Azanza migrated to Canada from Al Khod, Oman about three years ago and said “the Humber newcomer advisory was very helpful and made it easy for me to transfer my education from back home. Especially because it was something I was very nervous about.”
He also said it was difficult not only for him but his family to adjust, but they have been managing due to a wide variety of help from the community.
Humber College provides many opportunities for new comers to Canada. These programs and application information can be accessed at newtocanada.humber.ca.
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