This project is an employment program designed to link foreign-born and trained individuals with the Saskatchewan labour market in their areas of expertise. The project consists of two parts: the seven-week workshop portion, which includes workshops on such topics as resume writing, job interviews, job search techniques, etc., as well as English as a Second Language classes; and the 8-12 week work placement, in which participants complete a volunteer work placement with a company that would hire someone with their qualifications.
This program is being offered in partnership by SIA and the Saskatoon Open Door Society, both of which have years of experience in offering effective and well-respected employment programming to newcomers. Participants in the ELT/IIP programs are skilled immigrants with education and work experience from outside of Canada, who are now settled in Saskatchewan and wish to re-enter their areas of expertise. Participants take part in an intensive 15-week language training and career development component in preparation for entering the Saskatchewan labour market. After this portion of the program, participants complete a two to six month work placement, in which they work on a paid or unpaid basis, for an employer directly related to the participant's skill set.
This is a 9-month employment program designed for immigrant and refugee women between the ages of 17 to 30 who live in the Saskatoon community. The first portion of the project is aimed at linking participants with community members and community-serving organizations, as well as providing life skills workshops (for example: self-esteem, stress management and goal setting). Participants are introduced to a wide range of career persons and work places through three short work and volunteer placements, to facilitate the development of their long-term employment goals. The second portion of the project is aimed at enhancing the participants' essential skills as identified by the Government of Canada, and introducing them to employment-related life skills. This component of the project also includes resume writing workshops, interview skill development and a 12-week work placement. MYWAY participants have been placed so far in work environments such as: banking, advertising, restaurants, engineering, accounting and more.
This program is being offered in partnership by SIA and the University of Saskatchewan International Student Office, both of which have years of experience in offering effective and well-respected programs to newcomers. Participants in the ISSP Program are spouses of International students, who are now settled in Saskatchewan and wish to have some involvement in the community. ISSP will give participants the opportunity to practice their English skills; learn about the Canadian work force; and share knowledge, culture, and skills with others. It also provides a great opportunity to discuss the issues related to international families and living in Canada.
Established in 1983 through co-operation with the Catholic School Board, the school now includes over 900 students and 146 teachers. Since 1988, the Saskatoon Public School Board has provided classroom space. Support has also been offered by the College of Education at the U of S, as well as by private homes and organizations. Evening and weekend classes are held for children and adults in 26 different languages. High school credit classes are offered in the following languages: German, Mandarin, Polish, Ukrainian and Spanish. The following Heritage Languages are offered by SMS: Arabic & Urdu (Islamic), Cantonese & Mandarin (Chinese), Dari, & Pashtu (Maihan), German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tamil, Tagalog (Filipino), Tigrinya (Eritrean), Ukrainian, Sinhala, Yoruba and Vietnamese.
SIA's membership includes over 75 ethnocultural heritages, each having a distinctive tradition in music and dance. Through workshops and regular classes, many of these cultural groups developed a polished repertoire for the numerous public performances. For over 40 years, the SIA Performing Arts program has provided multicultural performances in Saskatoon.
A summer program that is open to immigrant and refugee girls who are between the ages of 13-18. The program runs from the beginning of July to the end of August during the day. This all-girls program integrates sports, health, recreation, career planning and English language enhancement. Some of the things the girls participate in are: swimming, volleyball, basketball, soccer, arts and crafts, goal-setting workshops, Canadian geography and ESL classes, and field-trips to the Western Development Museum, Mendel Art Gallery, Batoche, Candle Lake and Waskesiu Lake at Prince Albert National Park.
"We must be the change we wish to see in the world."
- Mahamas Gandhi
The Equity and Anti-Racism program underlies each one of SIA' s program areas and projects. More specifically, this program provides the basis of our aim to eliminate racial discrimination and to likewise create and advocate for equal opportunity for racialised persons.
