Member Story

rainbowrailroad.org · Toronto, ON

Rainbow Railroad is global not-for-profit organization that helps LGBTQI+ people facing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. In a time when there are more displaced people than ever before, LGBTQI+ people are uniquely vulnerable due to systemic, state-enabled homophobia and transphobia. These factors either displace them in their own country or prevent them from escaping harm.

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• The Impact...

rainbowrefugee.com · Vancouver, BC

Rainbow Refugee is a community group that supports people seeking refugee protection in Canada because of persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression (SOGIE) or HIV status.

• It provides support to LGBTQI+ refugees through community engagement and belonging activities, direct support for newcomers, advocacy and education, and a private sponsorship program.
• Its programming and partnerships aim to create communities in BC that offer...

Francois Houde is part of a diverse group of professional graduates of the N4-SPU Online Program. Working as a manager at MAGMA, he shares his experience from the settlement sector. MAGMA (Multicultural Association of Greater Moncton Area) is an organization that provides newcomers with a variety of settlement services. These services include adjusting to local culture and norms, language aid and certification as well as community connections. His team’s work is oriented towards intake and assisting...

Chantal Arsenault, a nurse practitioner working at Horizon Health in New Brunswick, is also a student in the N4 - Saint-Paul University online program. Early in her career, Chantal rarely interacted with newcomers to Canada as the majority of the patients she dealt with were white anglophones or francophones who had lived in New Brunswick for most of their lives. In 2015, upon returning from maternity leave, Chantal learned the physician she had worked with had retired to Quebec, leaving Chantal...

As Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, Dr. Wojnar’s research and profession strives towards excellence in nursing. Over the past decade, Dr. Wojnar has taught across the undergraduate and graduate curricula at Seattle University’s College of Nursing (SU CON). Areas of expertise include reproductive health theory and clinical, human lactation, research methods, concepts and theories for advanced nursing practice, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Capstone...

Background, profession, and newcomer involvement

Renette Amirault-Laing is among the first graduates of the N4-SPU online program. She shares her perspective from the healthcare sector. Working as a nurse for the last 24 years, she has seen an influx of newcomers during her time at IWK Health Center in Halifax over the last 15 years. This center streamlines two types of service in particular: children and women’s health. The increase in cultural and linguistic diversity in Halifax and throughout...

Recognizing Women in the field of Newcomer Navigation

Shler Ali is a Settlement Worker with MOSAIC Newcomer Family Resource Network, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Lorraine Thomas is a Family Support Specialist and Health Literacy lead at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto.

I myself was a refugee and I understand the fear, trauma and challenges of refugees having gone through this experience. Due to the on-going civil war, the persecution of my own Kurdish...