June 2008
Welcome to What’s Budding @ Maytree
Welcome to the June issue of What’s Budding @ Maytree, your source for news about all things Maytree.
Policy in Focus
This quarter’s Maytree Policy in Focus, “Renew and Expand Language Programs to Support Immigrant Children” which discusses a report by Sheri Regier, Tam Goossen, Mirian Digiuseppe and John Campey is available now.
You’ll notice that the publication has a new look, but the goal remains the same: identifying and sharing practical research to help inform policy and decision-making. If you have comments about this issue or suggestions for future issues, send an e-mail to policyinfocus@maytree.com.
Maytree Scholarship Program Celebration
This week Maytree marked the end of the school year with a ceremony to celebrate the achievements of ten of our scholarship recipients. Our scholarship program, which was launched in 1999, provides funding for college or university to protected persons and landed immigrants who were protected persons. Scholarship recipients live in Toronto without family support, and meet regularly as a group to provide support to one another. One student spoke about her experience, “It would certainly take me more than just one speech to describe the impact the scholarship and this experience with the foundation have had on my life as a whole. I can tell you, however, that I have seen – through this experience – my self-esteem, my courage and my determination growing stronger every day.”
Cities of Migration goes to Istanbul
Cities of Migration, Maytree’s effort to link integration practitioners in major migration cities worldwide is starting a collection: we’re looking for 100 good integration ideas. Working with partners including the Barrow Cadbury Trust (UK) and the Bertelsmann Foundation (Germany), Maytree will document innovative integration practices using a storytelling approach and feature them on our site. The 100 Good Ideas will include practices in all areas of immigrant integration under the themes: Live, Work, Learn, Connect and Plan. Maytree’s executive director, Ratna Omidvar recently shared five good ideas in a presentation at the European Foundations Centre Annual General Assembly in Istanbul.
If you know of an innovative, practical and successful approach to immigrant integration, tell us about it! Send an e-mail to: citiesofmigration@maytree.com – your story may be one of the “Good Ideas on Integration” we reveal in September.
Best Employers for New Canadians
ALLIES, the Maytree/McConnell project taking the TRIEC model to other cities in Canada, is pleased to support the 2009 award to recognize the Best Employers for New Canadians, part of Canada’s Top 100 Employers which identifies the best places to work. The 2008 award ceremony was held earlier this week; visit Canada’s Top 100 to learn more about this year’s winners and how to get involved next year.
DiverseCity onBoard Appointees
Maytree is searching for people who represent the diversity of the GTA and who are ready, willing and able to serve on boards of voluntary organizations and public institutions.
If you’re a member of a underrepresented visible minority or immigrant group, use our new on-line form to add your name and profile to the roster and help to diversify the face of governance in the GTA.
Congratulations to these recent DiverseCity onBoard appointees:
- Elvira Sanchez De Malicki (pictured right) to the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board
- Tsering Tsomo as Treasurer of the ACTEW Board of Directors
- Anju Virmani Kumar to the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network
Maytree Leadership Network News
The Maytree Leadership Network includes more than 450 alumni of the foundation’s leadership programs.
- Congratulations to Zahra Dhanani a member of the Maytree Leadership Network and the YWCA Toronto’s Woman of Distinction 2008, Social Change. Zahra is an artist, educator, DJ and lawyer; we celebrate her achievements and wish her continued success.
News You Can Use
The TAXI Project
PEN Canada and the Art for Real Change Collective are inviting youth groups and immigrant and refugee communities to join them in an exploration of freedom of expression, social justice, and the complex realities of the refugee and immigrant experience through a unique combination of theatre, film, and an interactive workshop. The TAXI Project, runs from July 28th – August 9th, and features an original play that follows four characters from China, Ethiopia, Bosnia and Mexico. For booking or additional information contact: Josh Bloch 416-703-8448 ext. 23 or via e-mail at jbloch@pencanada.ca.
Centre for Social Innovation announces social enterprise funding program!
The Centre for Social Innovation is launching Enterprising Non-Profits Toronto (ENP-TO), an initiative to seed and support social enterprise in the Greater Toronto Area. The program will distribute matching grants of up to $10,000 to help non-profit organizations start and grow social enterprises. In order to apply for funding you must attend an ENP-TO Orientation Session. For more information on the program and on session dates, visit www.socialinnovation.ca/enp
Contact Us
Questions or comments about What’s Budding @ Maytree? Send an e-mail to whatsbudding@maytree.com.
