Our Conversation Cafe is Saturday! From 9:30 - 11:30 in the morning we will be hosting one-on-one conversation sessions for ESL learners and those trying to improve their English. You will get the chance to chat for 45 minutes, grab a coffee, tea, and a muffin and participate in a group conversation for 45 minutes. Childcare is provided, and parents with small children are welcome! Thie Conversation Cafe will happen the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month. Come to the Centre for Social Justice, 204 Water St. (above Coffee & Co.). If you would like to volunteer as a conversation partner at the Conversation Cafe, please contact Clare, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by phone at (709) 754-4122.

Looking forward to seeing you here!

New Horizons for Seniors Program funds Seniors and Diversity at Home: Routes Taken, Roots Placed.

This year, RIAC is partnering with For The Love Of Learning, the Seniors Resource Centre, Eastern Edge Gallery and the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival to facilitate a project wherein youth and seniors in the community will document the life stories of culturally diverse seniors. Participants will create a visual art show and a documentary movie of the experience, as well as producing a booklet featuring the written stories. Keep a look out for a showcase and public reading at the Eastern Edge Gallery and a screening of the film at the Women’s Film Festival in October!

The Maytree Foundation said:

"Immigrants are a key resource for building and strengthening Canadian society, particularly in
light of our aging population and our declining birth rate. By 2026, our net population growth will
be derived entirely from immigration. By 2011, Canada will rely 100% on immigrants for our net
labour market growth.  
 
Canada brings in roughly 250,000 immigrants per  year. The largest cohort is individuals who
have been selected by Canada as best equipped to meet the needs of our evolving economy.
However, only four of ten skilled immigrants are able to attach themselves to employment that is
relevant to their education and experience. The Conference Board of Canada estimates that our
country’s failure to recognize immigrants’ learning and learning credentials costs the economy
$3.4 billion to $5 billion in lost earnings every year."
"Conference Board of Canada. Performance and Potential 2004-2005: How can Canada prosper in Tomorrow’s
World? Ottawa: Conference Board of Canada, 2004, P 126"

Pilot Project: Development of a needs assessment report of accessible supports and services for Temporary Foreign Workers, and subsequent recommendations for addressing existing gaps.

The main goal of this project is to work with Temporary Foreign Workers, employers, settlement and integration service providers, and other key stakeholders to establish a needs assessment report. This report will identify accessible programs and support for Temporary Foreign Workers within Newfoundland and Labrador and shall examine subsequent gaps that hinder their successful settlement and integration. This analysis will then be followed up with a report outlining recommendations of the Refugee and Immigrant Advisory Council's partners and steering committee for addressing the noted gaps.