About the N4-SPU Online Program
The Online Program has a maximum of 30 students per cohort to ensure they receive ample guidance and support from the professors at Saint-Paul. The online format of the program provides students with the flexibility to accommodate most schedules. Students can expect to put in approximately six hours of work per week for each course.
Students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge while taking part in two practicums throughout the life of the program. These practicums take place within the student’s current organization and allow them to put their knowledge to use in solving real challenges in the workplace to improve newcomer experiences.
Cohort 1
Adele Ois |
Outreach Worker CHEO · Ottawa, ON
In November 2019, I had the great pleasure of being nominated to take part in the first cohort of the N4-SPU program. Prior to accepting the nomination, I researched the courses given in this program. Looking through each class description, I felt that with my current position at CHEO as an Outreach Worker, I could benefit from addition education and expand my understanding in area's such as multiculturalism, immigration and social justice.
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Amy Ferris |
Community Health Navigator Mosaic Primary Care Network · Calgary, AB I work as a Community Health Navigator in a research partnership between Mosaic Primary Care Network, which serves northeast and southeast communities in Calgary, and the University of Calgary. Although my role is not exclusively working with newcomers, these areas of the city are a common choice for newcomers and refugees to settle. Our program helps all who need assistance navigating the health care system. I have also done extensive volunteer work with newcomer serving agencies.
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Hanan Shami |
Community Health Worker Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative · Edmonton, AB I am a Community Health Worker and a leader. Born in Canada but grew up in Rama Village, in the Upper Galilee of Israel/Palestine. I have 10 years of experience in cross cultural work with newcomers and Arab refugees. As a cultural broker serving my community, I work by linking and mediating between immigrant newcomers, health and social services by accessing services and resources that empower and help their integration into Canada. Applying to the National Newcomer Navigation Network (N4) program, I was seeking continuous education in learning about how this Newcomer Navigator project relates to my work as a Community Health Worker.
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Jessa Pillipow |
Immigrant and Refugee Health Coordinator The Global Gathering Place · Saskatoon, SK I took the N4 program as a way to deepen my knowledge of social and structural issues that affect newcomers to Canada and their settlement journey. I have worked with newly-arrived refugees in two provinces and have recognized common threads that advance and complicate settlement, and I hoped this program would allow me to gain new insights into ways we can work together with newcomers to make their resettlement to Canada a smoother and more empowering experience. As a social worker, I had already gained knowledge of social systems that can impede empowerment and success for marginalized groups, but this program's specific focus on newcomers was welcome academic knowledge.
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Laura Callaghan |
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner IWK Women's and Children's Hospital · Falmouth, NS I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to participate in the N4 program. In addition to my work with IWK mental health and addictions program, my family and I have partnered with Africa Inland Mission, both working in Africa in healthcare for many years as well as working in Canada looking for ways to engage with and support newcomer and refugee populations. Since moving to Nova Scotia 4 years ago we have initiated an overnight summer camp (camp SOAR) to support newcomer integration, knowing there are so many valuable benefits of camp (friendships, skill building, navigating new social rules) and wanting to support families as they integrate and adjust to life in Canada. In my role with the IWK, I look forward to building on the N4 program content, aspiring to contribute to an understanding of cultural humility, social justice, and advocacy in reducing barriers to care and wellness, especially in the area of child/youth mental health. Of many joys in this work, two of the best are realizing what a privilege it is to be Canadian and being honored in sharing a part of the stories of so many who through resilience, creativity, faith, endurance ingenuity and courage have come to land here, to be neighbors, friends and fellow Canadians.
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Lorraine Thomas |
Family Support Specialist Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON
It was my hope that the program would broaden my understanding of the underlying complexities in providing support to newcomers, namely around the fact that we need to consider not only language, but gender roles, the ability to create a safe space for discussion and identifying a commonality to build bridges, regarding of cultural differences. On a more personal level, it was incredibly insightful to be able to explore the dichotomy of being the marginalized person who is also in a position of privilege and as a practitioner via the various topics covered by the program.
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Maria Baluyut |
Health Liaison Coordinator Mosaic Primary Care Network · Calgary, AB I am presently the Health Liaison Coordinator (LPN background) at Mosaic Refugee Health Clinic (MRHC) based out of the Margaret Chisholm Resettlement Centre. My role was implemented in March 2016 amid the Syrian refugee influx in Calgary to provide initial and ongoing triage to acute health concerns of the Government sponsored refugees, help bridge services between our clinic and external service providers, and to support the refugees at different stages of their settlement. I applied for the program to gain a better understanding and knowledge in reducing the barriers related to health system navigation, language, transportation, and care coordination.
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Neveen Fanous |
Settlement Worker Mosaic - Newcomer Family Resource Network · Winnipeg, MB I am working as a Settlement worker helping newcomers to settle in Canada. My role is to advocate, educate, and help newcomers, immigrants, and refugees, especially clients who face many risks and challenges in taking care of their mental and physical illness. My role involves various age groups from children, youth, and their families, including seniors. I have a strong knowledge of the community and I have built relationships with organizations that support my clients' needs. My previous experience in my home country was also related to Social work. I worked for many years as a social worker in my home country in schools, where I supported students with different challenges and risks.
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