Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) – Group Sponsored Tibetans Newcomers

Since December 2013, close to 1000 displaced Tibetans from India have arrived to live in Canada as a part of group sponsorships. This has been possible following the establishment of a temporary Public Policy under section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). Of the 1000 people who have arrived, approximately 280 were slated for Toronto as their new home. To date, over 190 newcomers including single people, families with school-aged children and young adults have arrived in Toronto in groups of 10 to 15 people.

CultureLink’s Tibetan Program Worker with Settlement Workers in Schools has been on the job providing much needed settlement support along with volunteers of the Project Tibet Society, Toronto Chapter. Information and orientation on Canadian culture, etiquette, education system and labour market and connection to jobs and resources within the community are some of the important topics covered. The newcomers are introduced to COSTI, the Toronto Public for Library, employment orientations, youth programs from Culturelink and learn about communicable diseases from Public Health. The newcomers are connected with the Canadian Tibetan Cultural Centre (TCCC), a place where they have a chance to meet and interact with others who speak the same language, send their kids to language schools on Sundays and participate in volunteer work and cultural performances.

CultureLink’s Settlement Workers in Schools Program has been a key link between the new families and schools assisting with school registrations for over 30 new kids.

Tsewang Lhadon – Settlement Workers in Schools