When government sponsored immigrants first arrive in Medicine Hat they are met by a SISA staff member and a volunteer interpreter if needed. SISA assists new arrivals in the following areas:
Reception: Greeting and the provision of food and lodging;
Settlement & Orientation: housing, shopping, banking, utilities, health care, Candian identification, etc;
Assistance with forms and appointments: the amount of paperwork in Canadian society can be quite daunting to a newcomer. We help with booking and escort, form filling, etc;
Education: registration and placement in appropriate child care institution, school or language training;
Supportive Counselling and Referral: community contact and access to other services; ongoing individual support;
Employment Services: pre-employment and career counselling, information and referrals, volunteer job placement;
Public Awareness & Community Education: community development;
Reception House was opened at the beginning of 2003 to provide temporary accomodation to newly arrived refugees in Medicine Hat. The house can accomodate up to 16 people at a time.
Translation & Interpretation Services are provided by volunteer interpreters and translators. SISA is capable of providing language services for more than 40 different languages. We maintain an up-to-date list of persons who are able to offer translating and interpreting services to assist clients and the community whenever the need may arise. Community Interpreters Training is also offered by SISA to train the volunteers and empower them with the skills necessary to do their interpreting jobs effectively and in a professional manner.
English as a Second Language classes are offered on-site on a full-time and part-time basis. Subsidies for child care available for students enrolled in the full-time program.
HOST Program is a volunteer based program in which newcomers to Canada are matched with Canadian friends, who help them to learn about Canadian values and traditions, practice speaking English and learn about community resources and how to use them.
Settlement Workers in Schools (S.W.I.S)
An information and referral outreach program for New Canadian students, caregivers and their schools
For more information about our Settlement Services please contact us at info@saamisimmigration.ca