祈求和感謝2005 年 9 月
祈求和感謝
2005 年 9 月
為新移民服務的國語事工的發展
李伊芳 (國語事工統籌)
中信中心城市宣教：「將教會帶到人群、然後將人群帶回教會」的使命，自中心於五年前搬進本拿比麗晶廣?後，透過不同的事工陸續展開和落實。二零零一年四月廿七日開展了國語事工，每星期五早上十時至十二時舉行。藉?不同形式的教育講座提供資訊性的服務。我們邀請熟悉加拿大法例、福利、醫療、生活趣味、以至家庭關係等專家來主理。我們也透過義工們的關懷和見證，分享基督的愛和救恩。國語節目吸引了很多由中國大陸及臺灣的，說國語的新、舊移民來參與。在這幾年間﹐每週出席人數、都穩定地保持在四十至六十人左右。在聖誕、農曆新年及感恩節舉辦的特別慶祝或福音性的節目中，參加的人數有多達百人。
由於近年來中國大陸移民大量增加，開創及擴展專為服務新移民的國語事工在二零
零四年已形成了。希望能藉著履行各類能幫助新移民溶入社會的外展計劃，使神的 愛與關懷得到彰顯。我們十分感謝忠誠的義工，透過他們的服務，實踐了全人關懷的宗旨。
新移民適應班
這個每星期兩小時的新移民適應課程，首先於二零零四年三月的一年內，與「本那比多元文化協會」聯合舉辦；又於二零零五年五月始與「中僑互助會」合辦該課程。這個課程的主要對象是來加拿大不到三年的新移民。本課程包括加拿大的文化、福利、教育、法例、教養子女、 職業、英語作為第二語言的課程、住屋、以至醫療衛生、旅遊、社區公共服務等領域。反應十分熱烈，參與人數每次多達四十至八十人不等。
協助就業計劃
1. 就業諮詢日及即場招聘會
於二零零五年二月，與「移民服務協會」合辦了一個有關就業的工作坊。該工作坊給新移民認識就業所需的要素：包括找工作的技巧〔書寫有效的履歷表和面試的技巧〕、海外資歷認可審查和政府職位申請等。「大統華超市」亦派出職業培訓組人員協辦講座，和即場招聘初級超市職員。這個工作坊很受歡迎， 超過八十人登記入座。同場也個別接見了四十多位求職超市的新移民。
2. 婦女就業及受聘機會
今年的四月十五日，本中心與「女友雜誌」及「環球華報」聯合舉辦了一個專為婦女而設，名為「移民女性求職面面觀」的講座。我們邀請了「移民服務協會」主講有關就業的問題、找職業的技巧、有關書寫履歷表和面試的技巧等。我們還邀請了四位專業女性，分享她們的奮鬥的經驗，在理髮、托兒、裁縫、投資保險等領域上，如何達到今天的成就。有三十多位婦女參與這個講座。
每年一度的「安居樂業迎新展覽會」
從二零零三年開始，這個盛大的「安居樂業迎新展覽會」每年都舉行。它給與新移民一站式的資訊和教育服務，展示有關他們在加拿大新家園定居及適應的事宜和資料。這裡有很多由各專業人士和社團主理的專題講座。討論有關移民需要面對的各項生活範疇。並有二十多個被邀請參與的政府機構及社團組織設置資訊攤位，展示及派發服務資料，並解答咨詢問題。這裡亦提供一些健康服務和兒童節目等。每年約有八百人參加了這個展覽會。
展望將來 - 接待新移民家庭計劃
我們展望新移民服務能透過「接待新移民家庭計劃」伸延到社區和教會。若神賜給與足夠的義工力量，便能將這計畫實踐。中信中心希望透過這服務作為教會與社區的橋樑，共同努力，服務社區，以發揚主愛精神。
這計劃配合新移民家庭和?加此計劃的義務接待家庭。希望從這個充滿友愛的計劃中，使新移民在面對新生活、新環境的適應過程和困難中，可得到舒緩。這個「接待家庭」計劃協助新移民定居加拿大，學習面對新社區的困惑。接待家庭與他們新交的朋友，都可從家庭餐聚、交談、郊遊等相互交流活動，建立真誠友誼，彼此得益。這個「接待家庭計劃」是以主的愛來服務新朋友。歡迎有意以「全人關懷」走進人群的弟兄姊妹，加入中信的服侍行列，請與我們聯絡 (604) 877-8606 索取詳細資料。
THE DEVELOPMENT
OF MANDARIN MINISTRY
TOWARDS NEW IMMIGRANT SERVICES
Yvonne Gan (Mandarin Ministry Coordinator)
In accordance to the CCM Centre Mission Statement, "BRING THE CHURCH TO THE PEOPLE and BRING PEOPLE BACK TO THE CHURCH" through the ministerial work of Urban Mission, the Mandarin Ministry incepted its first outreach program to new and long-settled Chinese immigrants on Apr 27, 2001. It is held every Friday 1000hr to 1200hr. The program comprises of educational talks presented by invited professional speakers which cover topics from Canadian laws and benefits issues, medical, life interest to family relationship issues. The Friday Program has since attracted a majority of the mandarin speaking new and long settled immigrants mainly from Mainland China and Taiwan. Over the years, the attendance has maintained its stability with forty to sixty regular participants. Some special evangelistic events held on Christmas, Chinese New Year and Thanksgiving Day have attracted up to hundred people.
Due to the heightened influx of new immigrants from Mainland China in recent years, the vision of exploring and expanding Mandarin Ministry towards serving newcomers in the local community was materialized in the year of 2004. It is hoped that with the implementation of a variety of outreach programs useful and helpful to meeting basic human needs of new immigrants in the process of their settlement and integration into Canadian society, the love and care of God is manifested. The vision and commission of fulfilling the Mission Statement through these programs are shared among committed volunteers.
New Immigrants Orientation Class
The weekly two hour orientation class was inaugurated in March 2004 with the collaboration of community organizations, first with Burnaby Multicultural Society for a year, then S.U.C.C.E.S.S since May 2005. The class is opened to the mandarin speaking, less than three years of stay, new immigrants. Child care service is also provided. The curriculum of the class cover topics ranging from Canadian cultures & benefits, education, law, child disciplinary, employment, ESL, housing to medical / health and tours to municipal public community service places. The response has been overwhelming with an attendance ranging from forty to eighty people.
Employment Assistance Program
I) Employment Information Day & on-site recruitment
A one day workshop on employment issues was held in February 2005 with the co-organization of ISS (Immigrant Service Society). This workshop covered job search skills (effective resume writing & interview techniques), evaluation of overseas credentials and application of government jobs. The T&T Supermarket was also invited to conduct trade talk and on-site recruitment of entry-level jobs in supermarket trade. The workshop was well received with an enrolment of over eighty participants The T&T Supermarket Job Training Officer interviewed about forty new immigrants.
2) Women Job Search & Employment Opportunities
A special talk on 'Women Job Search & Employment opportunities' was co organized with New-You Magazines and Global Chinese Press on Apr 15. ISS (Immigrant Services Society) was invited to conduct sessions to identify the employment needs of immigrant women. Four women from different careers such as Hair Styling, Child Care, Tailoring and Insurance & Finance Management were invited to share their experiences of how they endeavoured to achieve their successful status of the present. Over thirty women enrolled for the talk.
The Annual Newcomers' Fair
This major event has been held annually since 2003. It offers a one-stop informational and educational service for new immigrants on matters and resources related to the settlement and adaptation process in their new home --- CANADA. Informative seminars in Mandarin on various major areas in meeting Immigrant needs --- employment, education, Canadian law, immigration & citizenship and health issues are delivered by speakers from various professions and community organizations. Around 20 information booths are set up for government and community organizations to display and disseminate information on their services to the community. The Fair is also supplemented with various health care activities and children programs. The estimated number of people attending the annual event is around eight hundred.
Future projection - Host Family Program
The vision of New Immigrant Services is to reach out further into the community through the Host Family program. This vision can be transpired if God is willing to provide a sufficient work force of volunteers committed to serve. In the propagation of Urban Mission based on the concept of evangelism through the union of preaching and serving, CCM Centre plays her role of bridging the gap between Church and the community. Collaboration is sought to work together in serving the community towards the goal of spreading God's love through fulfilling the great commission.
The program seeks to match new immigrants with volunteer Host Families from churches in the community. It is hoped that through this friendship program, the difficulties faced by new immigrants during the process of adaptation will be eased. The volunteer Host Families assist newcomers with settling in Canada besides learning about the different facets of their new communities. The Hosts and their newcomer friends will mutually gain from the formation of a rewarding friendship through shared activities, family dinners, conversations and favourite outings. The Host Family Program is about serving new friends out of God's love and making a tangible difference in their life. We appeal to brothers and sisters from various churches to join CCM in providing holistic care to our fellow men in the community. Please phone CCM Centre at (604) 877-8606 for more information.
