Engagement Strategies

On March 29, 2006 Childreach launched a new project, “Engagement Strategies for Diverse Cultural Communities” funded by the Government of Canada through their Social Development Partnership Program.  Among the more than 60 attendees were London-Fanshawe MP Irene Mathyssen, City of London Councilors Susan E. Eagle and Sandy E. White and Controller Gord Hume.  Representing the Childreach Board of Directors were Marilyn Joselyn (President), Dr. Helene Berman and Steve Killip.  Representatives of various service providers, Childreach staff and leaders from nine ethnic groups (Yemeni, Afghan, Syrian, Palestinian, Spanish, Sudanese, Lebanese, Kurdish and Iraqi) attended the launch.

The concept underlying this project was formed based on the feedback from the Childreach Community Council.  This project acknowledges that parents’ needs are diverse and multifaceted and that new strategies of engagement are highly needed.  While parents needs are not identical, children’s needs are universal.  The focus of this project is to assist newcomer families with young children who may be feeling isolated and at risk.

The objectives of this project are to:

  • Engage in consultation with and establish links to municipal, academic and United Way researchers to ensure a collaborative approach to needs assessment
  • Identify key leaders in six ethno-cultural communities
  • Open dialogues with identified communities to identify issues and barriers to participation in existing community programs and services
  • Engage and mentor parents in establishing strategies to meet identified needs
    Identify best practices for mentoring strategies and community development efforts in multi-cultural and diverse ethnic neighborhoods
  • Demonstrate effective strategies in reaching out to and engaging people in community life
  • Document lessons learned and share the results with other service providers

In order to accomplish our goals and objectives we will build on previous research and learning about community development strategies.  We’ll develop new linkages and partnerships with ethnic and cultural communities that evolve from knowledge about diversity and inclusion.  Our work addresses several key goals in the Strategic Plan of Childreach.

At the end of the three years, we will have developed new strategies that engage newcomer and refugee families and reduce barriers to participation in community programs and services.  Service providers will have learned more about diversity and inclusion and developed ways to modify services to meet needs for children living in high risk environments.  Key community leaders will have been identified and a relationship of mutual respect and understanding established to encourage fuller participation in community life.  Newcomer families will know how to access appropriate services related to their specific needs.  We will collaborate with service-providers to provide a one day conference to discuss best practices for engagement strategies and share skills acquired through the project.

This project is unique and the first of its kind in London.  We will study in depth the barriers to participation experienced by newcomer families, and we will collaborate with community leaders to develop effective strategies that will reduce or eliminate barriers that prevent them from engaging in community life.  Communities will be involved, dialogues will be opened, and we will engage in the process of sharing and learning.

Year One Report (English)
Year Two Report (English)
Year Three Report (English)

Year One Report (Arabic)
Year Two Report (Arabic)
Year Three Report (Arabic)

Year One Report (French)
Year Two Report (French)
Year Three Report (French)

Year One Report (Spanish)
Year Two Report (Spanish)
Year Three Report (Spanish)

On May 22, 2009, an “Engagement Strategies:  Share the Learning” conference was held, and 125 professionals from the community attended.  The following are presentations from the conference.  We are sharing them with permission from the authors.

Arab Leader Presentation
Azerbaijan-Turkey Leader Presentation
Southern Sudanese Leader Presentation
Somali Leader Presentation
Keynote Speaker Presentation
Project Leader Presentation
Miscommunication & Engagement: Intercultural Communication