Activities & Accomplishments

Ongoing: Newcomer Speakers Bureau

In the spring of 2011, we offered a ten week public speaking training series in partnership with Voices from the Street. 20 newcomers from 13 different countries came together to reflect on their lived experience in relation to policy and social change. The training workshops created ample opportunity for reflection on shared challenges affecting immigrants and refugees from diverse cultural, religious and professional backgrounds, and the importance of speaking out to counter myths and stereotypes about new Canadians. To invite a speaker to address a community group or event, contact Adriana Salazar, at 416-699-4527 ext. 229 – asalazar@mnlct.org

October 2010: Mayoral Debate on Immigrant Inclusion

This effort was part of the Latin American Campaign for Civic Participation, which aims to promote understanding of the Canadian political system and encourage community members to exercise their voice and vote. The Latin American Community Roundtable, a coalition of 16 organizations engaged with the Latin American community in North York, organized a mayoral debate with the five leading contenders for the top job at City Hall on October 6^th, 2010. The theme of the debate was “Inclusion: Economic, Social and Political Participation for Diverse Communities in Toronto.” For video coverage of the debate, please visit: vimeo.com/15780189

March 2010: Community Forum

On Saturday, March 27th, 2010, the Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto organized a community forum attended by over 150 participants from fifty organizations and three levels of government. The forum provided a space for reflection, dialogue and action to address issues of racialized poverty and access to employment, while strengthening civic participation among immigrants and refugees living in Toronto. The forum was a grass-roots community initiative of newcomers participants of the Newcomer Advocacy Committee at the Mennonite New Life Centre.

To view a trailer for a video documentary of this experience, click here. To order a copy of the whole documentary, use our online order form.

Spring 2010: Civic Education in Scarborough

During the second semester of 2010, during the lead up to last fall’s municipal elections, we worked together with members of the Newcomer Advocacy Committee to deliver a Certificate in Community Engagement and Civic Participation, as a way of nurturing leadership and political engagement among LINC students at our Scarborough site.