Rocky Mountain House

Rocky Mountain House paves road for increased settlement services for newcomers in smaller centres

A pilot-project offered through Am Braighe Education & Training Services in Rocky Mountain House is helping newcomers in the area feel more settled in their community. The project was developed by the West Country Welcoming Community Association in Rocky Mountain House, which promotes cross-cultural awareness and continues to look for ways to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment in the Rocky Mountain House area.

Members of the West Country Welcoming Community Association include representatives from the Town of Rocky Mountain House, the Public Library, the Wild Rose School Board, the Native Friendship Centre, and others.

The Association sought out funding sources to provide local orientation and outreach settlement services for newcomers, to develop a settlement resource handbook and a community diversity profile, and to record best practices and experiences of newcomers in a smaller centre. 

“Our primary objectives have been to provide local settlement supports to newcomers and raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by newcomers and service providers in smaller centres,” said Carolyn Kent, a board member of the Association.

Individual communities can play a key role in connecting newcomers to resources that help in the settlement and integration phases, added Kent.

“Larger urban centres should not be the only places newcomers can go to access services. For some people, it is not possible to travel a long distance to get the information they need. Access to the right programs and services can help eliminate barriers and future difficulties that newcomers face, including homesickness and culture shock,” said Kent. “And the quicker a newcomer can integrate into the community and into his or her workplace, the greater the likelihood for successful integration. By offering services in a smaller centre, we are giving our newcomers the support they need and we encourage other smaller centres to do the same.”

Specific activities the West Country Welcoming Community Association has been working on include the creation of a databank of newcomers and potential volunteers, and the organization of an event to celebrate change, unity and diversity. Am Braige Education & Training Services also recently developed an Employer Guide to Recruiting and Retaining Immigrants, which can be found at www.centralalberta.ab.ca.

Date Updated: Aug 03, 2011
RDP:1407