Saamis Immigration a real lifeline

By Gillian Slade on December 22, 2018.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com @MHNGillianSlade

For refugees the connection with Saamis Immigration Services Association is a lifeline — particularly in the first year.

SISA runs five federally funded programs for refugees, and with an increased number of refugees from Syria since 2016 it has meant significant growth in programs, staff and space for classrooms to teach English, said Marie-Claude Scahill, manager of settlement.

This year they have assisted 17 refugee families for a total of 79 people, said Scahill. Of that number 11 families (51 people) are from Syria and others from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Eritrea.

Between Dec. 29, 2015 and Dec. 8, 2016 a total of 175 Syrian refugees arrived in the Hat. Some later relocated to other communities to be closer to friends or family.

The number of employees at Saamis has increased from 18 to 24 in the past three years.

Scahill describes the process of helping refugees settle in the community as “rewarding”.

Many refugees who came three years ago are now working full time or are attending college. Some still visit Saamis Immigration to chat or seek advice, she explained.

Helping them find employment has been accomplished mainly through partnerships the association has with employers, Scahill said. Those who have the lowest literacy skills have more challenges getting work. Some may have had no literacy skills in their homeland so the learning curve is significant.

Those not able to get employment, when the federal government program of financial support for one year ended, have had to apply to Alberta Works for funding. This program includes undertaking employment training skills, said Scahill.

The refugees from Syria who came as “federal government sponsored refugees” were interviewed by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and had health and security screening before being authorized to come here. Even the decision about which city they would settle in was made before they boarded an aircraft, said Scahill. They arrive as permanent residents.

Medicine Hat is on the list of destinations because the rental market is favourable, it is relatively easy to settle into the community and Saamis Immigration has a proven track record.

“The city is a good place for families to settle, for an easier transition,” said Scahill.

SISA runs five of the federally funded programs for refugees. In the first six weeks they are settled in accommodation and then helped to integrate in the community, said Scahill.

To learn English there is the Language Instruction for New Comers course with four full-time classes available in the day and one at night. Depending on their literacy skills this may include learning to write for the first time.

Saamis Immigration settlement workers are also in local schools bridging any gaps between the school, parents and the children.

The fifth program is about community connections and matching volunteers to new comers both in the classroom and as mentors, said Scahill.

Saamis Immigration would not be able to accomplish all of this without the support of volunteers who act as interpreters, mentors and the dedicated staff and the support of board members, said Scahill.

How many refugees are still to come is not known yet. Saamis Immigration is given two weeks notice of new arrivals.

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