Getting Started in Our Community | London Vital Signs

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Lina Rivas has participated in the Spanish-Speaking Gardeners project for two years now. “You connect with your new culture when you plant your own food,” she says. “We spend fun time here as a family. It’s the best way to experience summer.” More

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Thanks for sharing your views.Great blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you.
Regards,

Boarding schools California

Submitted by Catholic school California

It seems London a place with vibrant culture and booming industries. Definitely an icon to any immigrant who seeks a spectacular place to live. I guess I must avail this opportunity sooner or later.

Submitted by gudnews

The greatest barrier to success to a new immigrant is language. Learning English is necessary for gainful employment in our community. More programs would help new immigrants feel part of our community

Submitted by Donna

The biggest barrier to success for a new immigrant is language. Learning English is necessary in order to gain employment. More programs to allow immigrants to learn are essential in order to feel part of our community.

Submitted by Donna

Hire a newcomer -- Ensure your business provides equal opportunities for hiring immigrants.

Submitted by Cindy

Support the work of organizations that help newcomers get started -- Support the work of organizations and programs like The London and Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership www.welcome.middlesexcounty.ca, Mentorship Program for London Ethnic Youth At Risk London Intercommunity Health Centre and WIL Mentorship for Newcomer Success www.wil.ca/programs-and-services/mentorship-newcomer-success-program.

Submitted by Roxanne

Help a newcomer -- Getting started in a new community, with its new culture, languages and customs can be tough. Support and encourage diversity in our community by helping a newcomer find employment, learn English and introduce him or her to all the events the city has to offer. Visit Tourism London www.londontourism.ca for a full listing of London events.

Submitted by Martha

Post Now!

Getting Started in Our Community

Getting started in a new community, with its new culture, languages and customs can be tough. Finding employment, learning a new language and gaining recognition for foreign education and credentials are major challenges that many newcomers face. London cannot afford to lose out on skills and talent of our newcomers. Are we providing the right supports?

1,228

Migration

In 2007, the London CMA showed a net gain of 1,228 persons due to people moving within the province, lost 766 persons to other provinces, and gained 2,419 persons due to international migrations. (Statistics Canada)
53%

City of London’s Immigrant Population by Region of Birth

53% of London’s immigrants come from Europe, 15% from Asia, 10% from the Middle East, 7% from Central America & the Caribbean, 5% from Africa, 5% from North America, 4% from South America and 1% from Australia & Oceania. (2006 Census)
14%

Visible Minorities & Languages Spoken

] In the 2006 Census,14% of the City of London’s population was a visible minority. The top five languages spoken are Spanish, Arabic, Polish, Portuguese and French. (Statistics Canada)
12.4%

Unemployment Rate of Immigrants

For the 2001-2006 period of immigration, the London CMA immigrant unemployment rate was 12.4% compared to 11.9% for Ontario and 12.3% for Canada.
(Statistics Canada)
4,800

Adult English Language Learners

There are approximately 1,800 adult ESL learners across the Thames Valley School Board region and approximately 3,000 adult English Language Learners across the London District Catholic School Board area. (Thames Valley District School Board Director’s Annual Report 2009; Centre for Lifelong Learning, London District Catholic School Board)
22%

Immigrant Population

Immigrants accounted for 22% of total population of the City of London compared with 28% for the province. (Statistics Canada)

LUSO’s Reading + Parents Program

A family centred approach to literacy for children of culturally diverse and ethnic backgrounds. Supported by London Community Foundation, reading packs consist of a quality children’s book, reading and language hints, poems and finger plays, a craft and age appropriate activity sheets.
Building Common Ground in Old East London

Part of the curriculum of LIFE*SPIN’s summer school program for children from low-income families, this organic gardening and cultivation project helps kids learn how to cultivate soil and plant seeds, to harvest and preserve food for winter.
Game On! Basketball Unites Limberlost

The Limberlost community is a stepping-stone for many newcomers to London and is home to over 700 people, including lots of young families. Recently the old basketball court was transformed through the support of LCF donors into a stunning new court, becoming an important gathering spot for the community.
The London and Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership

A collaborative community initiative led by City of London and United Way. Learn more www.welcome.middlesexcounty.ca
Mentorship Program for London Ethnic Youth At Risk

London Intercommunity Health Centre, aims to help at least 80 kids between 9 and 15 years old and their families in the city’s northeast, where about 9,000 people -- nearly 20% -- aged 10 to 21 identified themselves as ethno-racial or newcomers in a survey by the health centre.
WIL Mentorship for Newcomer Success.

This program connects internationally trained individuals with local mentors to gain a better understanding of the local job market in their field or occupation, network, and learn more about sector-specific language and professional practice in Canada.