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| Councillor Linda Hepner |
July 3, 2012
Surrey initiates Welcome Services for Settlement Workers and Newcomers in Recreation Centres
The City of Surrey has announced an initiative that welcomes settlement workers and newcomers to Recreation Centres. This a collaborative initiative created and administered in partnership between Options Community Services (OCS), DIVERSEcity Community Resources, SUCCESS, Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) and the Parks, Recreation and Culture department.
Settlement Services in recreation centres was created in response to concerns that there was an increase need for newcomers to access settlement services in Surrey. Settlement workers indicated that newcomers did not always feel welcomed, or felt like they belonged in their new community. Councillor Linda Hepner, Chair of Parks, Recreation and Sport Tourism Committee said, We saw a need and as a result, the settlement agencies and City representatives worked together to develop opportunities for Settlement Services to meet and connect with newcomers using our local recreation centres. I think its a positive move and not only utilizes our resources more effectively but brings people together and connects them in comfortable place where people feel they belong.
The main goals of the initiative are to help newcomers to Surrey:
1. gain an understanding of life in Canada;
2. become aware of opportunities to engage and participate in public services and access community resources;
3. make connections to social networks in the community so that they become socially and culturally engaged in the community; and
4. gain the ability to navigate various service systems independently.
Settlement workers are currently in the following locations for a number of hours per week depending on client needs:
North Surrey Recreation Centre;
Fleetwood Community Centre;
Guildford Recreation Centre;
Newton Recreation Centre;
South Surrey Recreation Centre; and
Cloverdale Recreation Centre.
Throughout this process the settlement workers also conduct facility tours so their clients can start to understand the many benefits of engaging in active, healthy and positive lifestyles.
This program is an innovative example of how Parks, Recreation and Culture is building stronger community partnerships that will support and build supportive environments for new comers that are settling in Surrey.
