Income tax preparation for low-income families

If you are unable to complete your income tax and benefit return by yourself and are unable to pay for assistance, the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) may be for you.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) offers training to volunteers who can help you complete your income tax and benefit return if your income is low and your tax situation is simple. Volunteers do not complete income tax and benefit returns for deceased persons, bankrupt individuals, or individuals who have capital gains or losses, employment expenses, or business or rental income and expenses. Volunteer tax preparation clinics are generally offered between February and April of each year in various locations across Canada, however, some tax clinics operate year round.

This year, tax clinics will be held at Activity Haven Seniors’ Centre, Mapleridge Seniors’ Centre, Mark Street Church, Peterborough Public Library, St. Alban’s Church, and St. Giles Church.
Visit the following link to more information about the dates and times that the clinics are held at these locations.

YMCA Orientation Day

Are you looking to learn how to keep physically active and healthy? Please join us on a FREE, and NO OBLIGATION TO JOIN orientation day with the YMCA of Peterborough.

On March 11 at 5:30PM, we will be touring the YMCA to learn how to use the facilities and equipment. At the end of the tour, the YMCA staff will be offering 3 months free membership if you decide to join.

Also, if you decide to become a YMCA member, receive a FREE fitness assessment with a trained Personal Trainer. Please contact Sophia at sophia@nccpeterborough.ca to register or any Settlement Counsellor at (705) 743-0882.

Black History Month event

Free Family/Youth event features storytelling with J. Nichole, readings & book signing with children’s author, Afua Cooper, and a live community performance of Beaux Dixons, Other Peoples Heaven, with FireBrand Theatre.

When: Sunday, February 28th, 2010
Where: Peterborough Public Library (downstairs)
Time: 2:30 pm to 5 pm

The Kawartha World Issues Centre invites you to participate in an afternoon of live performing arts in honour of Black History Month and in collaboration with the International Dub Poetry Festival Peterborough 2010 which is being held in Peterborough from Feb. 25th to 28th.

What is Happening?:

J. Nichole, a distinguished dub poet and scholar, will regale her audience with storytelling as part of the afternoon activities. Nicole was the 2004-2005 winner of Toronto International Reggae Music Award for Dub Poet of the year.

Well known author, Afua Cooper, will read from her two latest childrens books. My Name is Henry Bibb: A Story of Slavery and Freedom offers a fictionalized first-person account of Bibbs life growing up as a slave and starting a family while he gains knowledge of his surroundings and plans his escape to freedom. Coopers other book, My Name is Phillis Wheatley, depicts the struggles and achievements of another important person in the history of North America, the poet Phillis Wheatley. Wheatly is kidnapped from Senegal, Africa and forced into slavery, later becoming part of an experiment to see if a slave can be educated!

(Note: Cooper’s books will also be on sale if you’d like to purchase one for a book signing).

And last but not least, wrapping-up the afternoon is a live performance by Firebrand Theatre who will be performing Beau Dixon’s short play “Other Peoples Heaven”, and bringing to life the story of Viola Desmond, who fought for civil and political rights in Canada during the American Civil Rights Movement.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Please note that parental discretion is suggested for children under 10 years of age due to the mature theme.
The library will be open upstairs from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.

Sponsored by Kawartha World Issues Centre, New Canadians Centre Peterborough, Community & Race Relations Committee of Peterborough, the Dub Poet Collective, Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts.

For more information about this event or the festival, visit www.kwic.info or call 748-1680. We look forward to seeing you there!

Volunteers needed to join Canada Day Planning Subcommittees

We have begun our planning for our annual Multicultural Canada Day event in Del Crary Park, and are looking for volunteers to assist with various aspects of planning:

a) "Green"ing of the event
This subcommittee will be working on reducing the environmental impact of the event

b) Cultural show
This subcommittee will be working with the Artistic Director to schedule the performances

c) Parade
This subcommittee will be planning the NCC's entry for the Canada Day parade

d) Fundraising
This subcommittee will be exploring alternate sources of funding for the event

e) Vendors
This subcommittee will conduct surveys with past vendors

If you are interested in joining any of these subcommittees, please send an email to Steve and indicate which subcommittee you would like to join.

Members needed for NCC Board Outreach Committee

Members needed for Board outreach committees!

Time commitment is a minimum of 3-5 hours per month.

As a committee member you will develop the skills necessary to become a Board member.

A) Community Outreach Committee

Past projects:
1) Gala events
2) Dance Around Africa, Dance around Caribbean

The current projects of this committee are:
1) to organize large scale events, such as our popular dances, for the broader community
2) to organize a membership drive to engage community members in the work of the NCC

B) Client Outreach Committee

Past projects:
1) New NCC Website
2) Client feedback and evaluation

Current project:
1) To develop a walkabout program. This consists of creating a manual and a process so that every newcomer who comes to the NCC will have a volunteer give them a walking tour of Peterborough, customized to their own interests and needs.

If you are interested in joining a committee, please send your interest and skills to Coen Bruin, Chair of Personnel and Nominating committee at coenbruin@hotmail.com or 749-0896

Join the NCC Women's Group

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet other immigrant women, socialise, and participate in interesting activities.

The facilitators for the group are Rosie Schmidt & Evangelina Rodriguez.

Meeting time: Every Friday, 10am to 12 pm
Location: New Canadians Centre

First meeting: Friday March 26

For more information, please contact Steve Ross at steve@nccpeterborough.ca, 743 0882 x222

Public Viewing: Emerge Photo Collection

PRHC EMERGE COLLECTION PUBLIC VIEWING PLANNED FOR ARTSPACE

Peterborough, ON – The general public will have a four-day opportunity to preview the Emerge photography collection at ARTSPACE prior to its permanent installation in the Dembroski Emergency Department of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).

On Thursday, February 25th and Friday, February 26th from 10 am – 6 pm and Saturday, February 27th and Sunday, February 28th from 12 pm – 4 pm, a public viewing of the Emerge photography collection will be held at ARTSPACE (378 Aylmer Street N., Peterborough). Admission is free and archival prints and a catalogue will be available for purchase. Proceeds will go to the PRHC Foundation to support future phases of the Emerge project and art in the hospital.

An innovative public art installation, Emerge is a permanent collection of more than 90 photographs. It has been made possible through the kind donation of images by amateur and professional photographers from the region, and through the generous financial support of George and Kathy Dembroski, the PRHC Emergency Physicians and the Peterborough Foundation.

Committee member and project coordinator Barbara Chisholm said the choice of the Emergency Department as the location for the permanent exhibit was strategic.

“PRHC is now home to a beautiful new Emergency Department, but this hasn’t changed the fact that it’s a highly stressful environment for patients and their families as well as for the staff who work long hours there,” said Chisholm. “Anything in these surroundings that can help calm, support or distract patients will be of significant benefit. While this could be called an art collection that no one intentionally seeks out, in reality, tens of thousands in our community will view these inspiring images ever year.”

Exclusive images from the collection are available upon request.

For more information about the Emerge project, contact:
Barbara Chisholm
Coordinator, Emerge Project & Member, Art Steering Committee
T: (705) 741-5119

How to Start a Community Garden

Immigrant Health in Ontario

This profile highlights immigrant health using provincial level findings from Statistics Canada’s Canadian CommunityHealth Survey (CCHS). It compares self-perceived health, risk factors, use of services, and chronic conditions among immigrants and the Canadian-born population. The analysis is based on data from the combined 2005 and 2007/08 CCHS for the Ontario population age 12 and over (unless otherwise stated). The total sample size for this combined data file is 81,286 respondents (16,443 of whom are immigrants). Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) level analysis, provided in an accompanying spreadsheet, allows LHINs to profile their individual immigrant populations.

Download report here

Community Dialogue: Public Transit & Newcomers/Immigrants

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: Phase Two Research

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: Phase Two Research

The Peterborough Partnership Council on Immigrant Integration (PPCII) is seeking Proposals from Researcher(s)/Planner(s) to; review data collected from Phase One participatory research; collaborate with the Integration Strategy Committee in identifying gaps and carrying out additional research; collaborate with the Integration Strategy Committee and stakeholders (Sector Working Groups) in validating results and writing recommendations and an action plan to improve immigrant integration in Peterborough and surrounding area.

Total budget for this assignment, including professional fees, must not exceed $23,500 including GST. Lowest-priced or any proposal not necessarily accepted.

Proposals should be brief, with an outline of the proposed methodology and approach to the assignment, as well as relevant experience, CV and references.

Full RFP is posted here.

For information about the PPCII, please visit the Partnership Council menu at the New Canadians Centre website: www.nccpeterborough.ca

Proposals should be delivered by courier or by hand no later than 4 pm, February 24th, 2010 to:

Hajni Hős
Coordinator
Peterborough Partnership Council on Immigrant Integration
205 Sherbrooke St Unit D, Peterborough, ON, K9J 2N2

Video: Condemnation of attacks against Asian-Canadian anglers

February 10, 2010, Peterborough, ON - The Community and Race Relations Committee of Peterborough (CRRC) announces the launch of a Public Service Announcement (PSA) focused on the attacks against Asian-Canadian anglers in Ontario. Featuring Italo Labignan, well-known host of the Canadian Sportfishing Show, the PSA condemns the numerous attacks against Asian-Canadian anglers in communities surrounding Peterborough, and encourages the public to report any wrongdoing witnessed.

Launch & Press Conference:
When: Thursday February 11th, at 1pm.
Where: New Canadians Centre, 204 Sherbrooke Street, Peterborough, ON.

Identifying himself as both a sport fisher and an immigrant, Labignan was deeply disturbed by these attacks, stating “these attacks cannot be tolerated.” Created as part of CRRC’s ongoing work on the issue of racially-motivated attacks and graffiti, the Committee is pleased to have Labignan add his voice to those who strive for an Ontario that is safe for all to live, work or fish in.

Download: http://74.208.108.43/FTP/PSA%20Race%20Relations%203.zip

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pla5tSTcgc0

“We began our work on the issue of the attacks against Asian-Canadian anglers in 2007, and are launching this PSA on the eve of the sentencing hearing for one of those cases – anticipating that the court will respond appropriately” said Mike Ma, coordinator of the CRRC. Trevor Middleton, 23, will be sentenced for aggravated assault and criminal negligence in a case that was racially motivated according to victims and community members, in Newmarket on February 12, 2010.

"While we remain extremely concerned about the Trevor Middleton case which is now being considered for sentencing, we believe that it is important to take a proactive stance before the next fishing season to prevent future crimes with professional fishermen like Italo Labignan," said Karen Sun, CCNCTO, "We are really pleased to have his support for this important message to the public."

For further information: Mike Ma, Community and Race Relations Committee of Peterborough, 705-742-9658, racerelation@gmail.com

NCC Research Project with Trent Centre for Community-Based Education

Over the next few months, three students from Trent University in Peterborough will be conducting a research project in partnership with the New Canadians Centre (NCC). The aim of the research is to improve the way that NCC delivers services to its clients in Peterborough and the surrounding area.

The NCC is now looking for current and past clients who are willing to share their past experiences at the centre with the student researchers. As an NCC client, your feedback will help shape the future of the centre.

In the coming weeks, you may receive an email or telephone call from a Trent University student or Tamara Hoogerdyk regarding this research. We hope that you will consider participating in this discussion by sharing your thoughts, opinions and experiences with the student volunteers.

If you wish to participate in this research, you may also contact Tamara Hoogerdyk at the New Canadians Centre: (705) 743-0882 or tamara@nccpeterborough.ca.

Trent Students conducting the research:
Matt Robinson
Matt Taft
Ryan Turley

Haiti Fundraising Update

Thank you for helping to support our fundraising for Haiti. In one week, your donations and the proceeds from the dance on Jan 22 raised $2394.66 which we will be forwarding to the Canadian Red Cross for their Haitian Relief Effort. This contribution will be matched by the federal government.

Go Team NCC!

Feb 7: Rotary Club of Bridgenorth Ennismore Lakefield 30th Anniversary Polar Plunge

Looking for a new fundraising idea? Try the Rotary Club of Bridgenorth Ennismore Lakefield 30th Anniversary Polar Plunge
Date : Sunday, February 7, 2010
Time : 2:00 p.m.
Location: Rotary Park, Ennismore ON

Come join these brave and crazy plungers who dare enter the frigid waters of Chemong Lake because they're Freezin for a Reason. Plungers raise funds for their favourite charities (feel free to use yours and challenge other local charities) and support BEL Rotary's many charitable endeavours in the process. Each plunger is required to raise a minimum $200 where 60% will go to their charity of choice and the remaining 40% will stay with the BEL Rotary Club to assist in local projects.

Hot tubs, hot food will be the immediate reward for the plungers and a chance at a prize for the best costume or most funds raised.

NCC note: Our client Jesus Gomez will be “plunging” in the name of all New Canadians. He told Steve that he is picking out what he will wear on that day so he can express what a proud Canadian he is. Jesus needs to raise $200 to enter the event. If you are interested in donating to the Rotary through Jesus, please contact Steve Ross at steve@nccpeterborough.ca.

(Image credit: http://badgerherald.com/news/2009/02/22/PolarPlunge_LK.jpg )

Personal message from former Peterborough resident

"I am a former resident of Peterborough (Douro, actually) and I am currently living in the UK for one maybe two years. The reason for my email is that I have recently entered a writing contest here in the UK and my piece is called "A Stranger in a Familiar Land". I think that some of your clients would relate to my story. I have attached a link to the website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mystory/stories/discovery/168974/. I am hoping to reach out to newcomers in my former community as I know firsthand the challenges of being an immigrant.

With many thanks,
Beverley Robbins-Teather
bevrobbinsteather@sympatico.ca"

Feb 6: 29th Annual One World Dinner

The theme for this year is “The Spin on Food”, and the Guest Speakers are Chet Singh and Jarrett Prescott. There will be a raffle, music, dancing, and a dessert auction.

Please bring:
- a vegetarian contribution (no meat, fish or poultry) to feed 4-6 people
- no desserts please
- a dish pack (cutlery, plate, cup, serving spoon)
- a list of ingredients in your dish.

Date: Saturday, February 6
Time: Doors open at 5.30pm
Location: St Paul’s Presbyterian Church Hall (corner of Murray and Water, Murray St. entrance)
Tickets are available at the door: $5 per person, $10 per family (suggested)

For more information, please contact Kawartha World Issues Centre at (705)748-1680

The One World Dinner is a Peterborough Global Education Week Activity with proceeds going to Kawartha World Issues Centre, Jamaican Self-Help, Trent International Students’ Association, and the New Canadians Centre Peterborough.

Feb 5: Black History Month event

The annual Black History Month event takes place this Friday, February 5 at Market Hall in Peterborough. Headlining the show is Jamaica's revolutionary Dub Poet: Mutabaruka.

Come dance to some reggae and soca vibes by Mixed Emotions (Tdot’s best live reggae), and The Resolutionaries Marimba Band (local Zimbabwean fusion). Tickets now available at Bluestreak, Flavour, Karma’s, Haveyouseen, TCSA office, and TISA.

$15 students, $20 regular admission.

A silent auction for Haiti will also be held: www.artistsforpeaceandjustice.com

The NCC is a sponsor for this event.

Tax Help Days

It’s tax season again! Do you need help with your taxes? Don’t be shy - come to one of our tax workshops. Forest Li is once again volunteering his time to answer questions about your tax return. If this is your first time to file your tax return in Canada, Forest will help you complete your taxes at no cost.

We will be holding two workshops at the New Canadians Centre (boardroom) :

February 25th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

March 25th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Workshops are free. However, you must register to attend the workshops. You will be asked your name, contact information, immigration status (statistical purposes only) and whether you are filing taxes for the first time. To register, contact Sophia (sophia@nccpeterborough.ca) or Tamara (tamara@nccpeterborough.ca)

Starting Feb 23: Immigration Help Workshops

Carmela Valles, a certified immigration consultant registered with the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC), will begin holding information sessions on the last Tuesday of every month, starting February 23rd, 2010. The information sessions will take place at the New Canadians Centre, in the board room, from 5:00 p.m. to 7;00 p.m.

In the first hour (5:00 p.m. to 5:50 p.m.), Carmela will talk about immigration options for people wishing to become permanent residents. Carmela will talk about the different ways of applying for permanent residence, such as the Canadian Experience Class for people with work experience in Canada. This information session would be of interest to students, visitors, work permit holders, and community members interested in helping others.

In the second hour, (6:00 p.m. to 6:50 p.m.), Carmela will talk about how to sponsor family members such as spouses (including common-law spouses), children, parents and other relatives. Carmela can also answer questions on the process for sponsoring refugees.

The sessions are free. However, you must register to attend this information session. You may register for the first hour of the session (Immigration Options), the second hour (Sponsorship) or both.

To register, please speak to any settlement worker or email Tamara at tamara@nccpeterborough.ca. You will be asked your name, contact information, immigration status (for statistical purposes only) and which parts of the session you wish to attend.