A number of Edmonton community leagues are searching for ways to welcome newcomers to our city. At a recent meeting of the EFCL’s Integration Project, four leagues recounted their efforts to reach out to recent arrivals. The following is a quick summary of each league’s initiative:
Duggan Community League: One year of free membership is provided for Newcomers or as long as necessary; Free Soccer registration is provided for all low income families including newcomers; The community swim and skate programs are promoted to newcomers; the league is ready to introduce new cultural sports; Youth programs are underway, such as guitar lessons; a potential partnership is being worked on Catholic Social Services (CSS) and others to rent the hall for community programs. The league will coordinate with CSS to access Butane refugees who have recently moved to the community.
McQueen Community League: Weekly and monthly programs for children, youth, men, women and families; the league hosts a monthly International Dinner program
Southwood Community League: The Leagues wants its hall used. Present usage is only 3% of the available dates. They have an open door policy for hall usage; would like to see an international dinner program and cultural sports, along with teen dances. The community would like to see more immigrants participating in league programs. They would like to partner with other agencies and promote their league to newcomers.
Newton Community League: The league is focusing on reaching out to both newcomers to Edmonton and aboriginal people. The league wants Aboriginal music, dance, and sports offered in the community. The city’s Aboriginal Relation’s Office has offered to help.
The EFCL would like to form an advisory committee of community league representatives for this project. We would appreciate advice from the leagues and feedback about various projects that have been initiated.
Anyone interested is asked to contact Shahriyar Khan, the EFCL’s Community Development Officer at Shahriyar.Khan@efcl.org
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