Positive Spaces Initiative
From SettlementAtWork
| Organization: | OCASI |
|---|---|
| Contact: | jnozka@ocasi.org |
| Started in: | 2009 |
- Website
- http://www.positivespaces.ca/
The Positive Spaces Initiative is an OCASI initiative, funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, which aims to build capacity in the settlement sector for service provision to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and questioning newcomers (LGBTQ) in Ontario. The project, through the engagement of OCASI member agencies, community partners, and its Advisory Committee, continues to create and offer training, tools and resources for settlement service workers and their organizations.
Contents |
Training
The PSI is available to deliver trainings in agencies beginning in June 2010. The trainings are for any and all agencies that wish to create more inclusive services. The purpose of all four trainings is to increase organizational capacity to provide a comfortable, welcoming environment for all newcomers. Through the learning in these trainings your agency can begin to understand what the issues specific to LGBTQ newcomers are as well as build upon work you may already be doing to be inclusive of LGBTQ people's lived realities.
Training 1 – Positive Spaces
This training focuses on understanding the particular needs and realities that LGBTQ newcomers face. This module is appropriate if you are in the beginning phases of creating Positive Spaces in your agency.
Training 2 – Positive Spaces within agencies
This training focuses on deepening awareness and assisting agencies in integrating the knowledge from module one and other trainings you may have undergone into policy and practice on an organizational and individual level. This training is appropriate if you are creating Positive Spaces within your agency and have continuously participated in similar trainings at all levels of your agency.
Training 3 - NEW- Accessing Settlement Services as a Human Right
Using the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) as a framework this newly designed training is specifically designed for management and is intended to raise awareness about access as a human right and support decision makers in creating and supporting organizational changes.
Training 4 - NEW- Open Space: Understanding LGBTQ issues within Settlement Services
The last training module builds on Modules 1 & 2 and invites participants to engage in an honest and thoughtful discussion of LGBTQ issues who will leave this session with resources as well as relevant models of good practice. Using detailed case-studies based on real-life examples, participants will gain a fuller understanding of the various dimensions of transnational LGBTQ lives and communities.
Tools and Resources
The Positive Spaces Initiative has new tools and resources developed by and for the sector.
- Posters – LGBTQ & Newcomer Positive Space
- Starter Kits – Includes Resource lists, Information & Fact Sheets, and Newcomer Stories
- Post Cards – have been translated into English, French, Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, and Urdu
- 4 one hour eLearning training modules in English and French will be launched by June 2011
Resources are available online or you can request they be mailed to you. Join us Online – Updates, A List of Agencies Identified as Positive Spaces, audio visual tools and more at http://www.positivespaces.ca
The Settlement Process for LGBTQ Newcomers in Ontario
In 2009 the Positive Spaces Initiative conducted gathered information on the realities of LGBTQ newcomers in Ontario through the Untold Stories Project. The project included interviews with LGBTQ newcomers and service providers within 5 OCASI regions. The project highlighted issues of the unique complexities of the settlement process for LGBTQ people, balancing family, community and cultural needs with that of finding LGBTQ inclusive spaces and barriers to accessing settlement services.
Talking About in Your Positive Spaces in your Region
The Positive Spaces Initiative continues to support local networks of service providers. In many regions throughout Ontario LGBTQ-serving organizations don‟t have historically strong partnerships and relationships with immigrant and refugee serving agencies. The Positive Spaces Initiative would like to connect you to come together in your community to assess current and future needs to meet the service needs for LGBTQ newcomers.
