NPLS Shaping The Program
Newcomer Peer Leaders (NPLs) play a big role in deciding what the program talks about and how it helps. They use feedback from the people in the program, and even casual conversations, to figure out what's important. 24 women in the program shared what matters most to them. Some of these topics include:
- Healthcare: Understanding how healthcare works, especially for moms and families.
- Children’s Education: Handling childcare, daycare, and supporting kids in school.
- General Rights: Knowing the rights of newcomers to the country.
- Housing Policies: Understanding rules about renting and leasing homes.
- Parenting in Canada: Getting help for immigrant moms raising kids without family support.
- Financial Literacy: Understanding taxes and benefits.
- Finding Employment: Exploring jobs, acing interviews, and understanding workplace rules.
- Self-Advocacy: Speaking up for oneself without feeling like a victim.
- Food Security: Knowing affordable ways to get good food.
- Social Connection: Finding ways to make friends and feel less alone.
- Family Reunification: Bringing family members to Canada.
These topics cover important aspects of settling in a new country, helping newcomers navigate various challenges and opportunities.
NPLS' Reflective Reports on Project Engagement
NPLs share two types of reports, starting with Mid-point Guided Self Reflection Questions. These reports give NPLs a chance to think about their roles, experiences, and growth in the project. They answer questions about their overall thoughts, discoveries, challenges, learning moments, teamwork, strengths, and the hiring process. These reports provide detailed insights into how NPLs view the project and its impact on both participants and themselves. NPLs reflect on their improvement in skills, including verbal communication, planning, abstract thinking, problem solving, facilitation, tutoring, leadership, communication, teamwork, and identifying community resources. These reflective reports offer a comprehensive view of NPLs' development and contributions to the project.