News Releases
Doors Open at the Rotary Centre
[December 03, 2008]
Doors Open at the Rotary Centre for New Canadians
Media ReleaseFor Release on December 2nd 2008
Edmonton: the Rotary Centre for New Canadian’s opens its doors on Tuesday, December 2nd 2008. The project has received generous capital funding support of Homeward Trust Edmonton, the downtown Edmonton Rotary Club, the Edmonton District Council of Christian Churches (i.e., No Room In the Inn), Catholic Charities, and several local businesses.
The Rotary Centre for New Canadians is located in central Edmonton and occupies a three-storey apartment building. Operated by staff and volunteers of Catholic Social Services, the Rotarian has a Reception House Program which offers initial, short-term accommodation and settlement services for 48 federal government assisted refugees at a time (and approximately 400 per year). Affordable transitional housing (between 3 – 6 months) and support services are also provided for 18 immigrants and refugees with special needs (physical disabilities, mental health issues, etc.).
Other on-site services at the Rotarian include: settlement counselling, orientation to life in Canada, basic living skills, a New Canadians’ Health Centre (a collaborative initiative with Catholic Social Services, Alberta Health Services, Multicultural Health Brokers and Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers) and CORE Skills Training Program. Key service funders include: Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Alberta Employment and Immigration, Alberta Health Services, Homeward Trust Edmonton, and the Sign of Hope Society.
“This has been a long time in the making and we are proud to finally to open our doors to New Canadians in this emergency and transitional housing facility. The Rotarian offers a range of support services, all of which are key to successful settlement in Edmonton. We are pleased to offer counselling, health services, childcare, training, computers and internet access, as many of our refugee and immigrant clients have specific and unique issues,” said Dr Christopher Leung, CEO of Catholic Social Services.
"Our government has significantly increased settlement funding and is committed to assisting newcomers settle into their new communities. We have enjoyed a long and positive relationship with Catholic Social Services to that end," said Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. "The opening of the Rotary Centre for Newcomers is another chapter in Catholic Social Services history of striving to provide exemplary services to newcomers to Canada."
“This is a land-mark project for Edmonton; CSS works closely with refugees and immigrants, some with special needs, and offers emergency housing to newly landed immigrants as well as bespoke social services supports to enable a smooth transition to the Canadian way of life. The all-round support is of great comfort to people who with multiple barriers. Homeward Trust is proud to be funder of this program,” said Susan McGee, Executive Director, Homeward Trust.
For further information contact:
Kalpana Robbins, 780 496 2632
Marc Barylo, Director, Development & Community Relations 780 432 1251
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