Settlement Strategy

Pillars of focus and strategies

Employment 

To increase positive outcomes for immigrants, international students and refugees seeking employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in Lambton county.

1. Organize events for employers and newcomers to provide information on hiring and retaining immigrants and to increase employment networking opportunities.
2. Raise community awareness on the importance of local business succession planning while increasing the networking opportunities for newcomer entrepreneurs.
3. Access existing programs designed to connect immigrants to rural communities.

Community Engagement

To increase newcomer, immigrant and refugee participation within the community through improved community integration supports.

1. Develop opportunities for multicultural exchange for youth by connecting with cultural groups, networking hubs and Multicultural Councils in schools.
2. Identify volunteer opportunities as a means to include and assimilate newcomers and to enhance their integration into the community.
3. Encourage newcomer participation in and remove barriers to accessing local recreation and sporting opportunities.

Coordination of Services

To create a coordinated approach to service provision in both settlement and non-settlement service organizations.

1. Educate local service providers about the services of organizations to ensure streamlined referrals and to increase positive settlement outcomes for immigrants, newcomers and refugees.
2. Remove the barriers for local not for profit organizations to access interpretation and translation services.
3. Increase communication and engagement between settlement and non-settlement organizations to identify barriers to effective services and learn about newcomer needs.

Resource Development & Facilitation

Provide ongoing support for community initiatives and organizations through consultation, facilitation, research and evaluation.

1. Continue to lead the community toward building a diverse and welcoming community by providing overarching governance, administrative and strategic planning support.

2. Continue to support community agencies and initiatives to enhance services and supports for newcomers, immigrants and refugees.

3. Provide community awareness and build a more diverse and welcoming community through a range of community wide campaigns and events. 

4. Strengthen connections with rural Lambton to develop supports for migrant and temporary foreign workers.