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“Thrive Edmonton: Newcomer & International Student Empowerment Program”

"Connecting. Supporting. Thriving Together."

Overview

Program mandate

To support newcomers, immigrants, and international students in Edmonton by providing mentorship, settlement guidance, community integration, academic and career support, and mental health resources — helping them successfully adapt, thrive, and contribute to Canadian society.

Target Participants

  • Newcomers and immigrants of all ages relocating to Edmonton

  • International students enrolled in post-secondary institutions

  • Individuals seeking social integration, educational guidance, or employment support

Expected Outcomes

  • Improved academic performance and workplace readiness

  • Greater social integration and community engagement

  • Enhanced mental health and resilience

  • Stronger family stability and support networks

  • Increased awareness of Canadian systems and opportunities

Areas Of Support

1. Community Connection & Integration

  • Support newcomers to build social networks and a sense of belonging in Edmonton.

  • Facilitate participation in local events, cultural activities, and volunteer opportunities.

2. Social Support Services

  • Guidance on accessing government programs, housing, food security, and childcare.

  • Family support and mediation for smoother adaptation to Canadian life.

3. Mental Health & Wellness Coaching

  • Culturally responsive counseling and coping strategies.

  • Stress management, resilience workshops, and emotional support circles.

4. Mentorship & Peer Support

  • Pair participants with trained mentors from similar cultural or professional backgrounds.

  • Peer buddy programs to ease school or workplace transitions.

5. Academic Support & Tutoring

  • Language support (English/French) and homework help.

  • Study skills, time management, and school success workshops.

6. Career Readiness & Job Support

  • Resume building, job search guidance, and interview preparation.

  • Job shadowing and internship opportunities with local employers.

7. Leadership & Personal Development

  • Youth and adult leadership training.

  • Goal-setting, confidence-building, and self-advocacy workshops.

8. Legal & Immigration Guidance

  • Information on immigration status, work permits, and legal rights.

  • Referrals to legal clinics and immigration services.

9. Health & Wellness Navigation

  • Assistance accessing primary care, dental, and community health programs.

  • Guidance on navigating health insurance and medical services.

10. Housing Support & Referrals

  • Transitional and long-term housing guidance.

  • Connections to affordable housing programs and emergency shelters.

11. Cultural Orientation & Life Skills

  • Workshops on Canadian culture, workplace etiquette, and civic responsibilities.

  • Practical life skills like budgeting, banking, and public transit use.

12. Community Advocacy & Civic Engagement

  • Encourage participation in civic initiatives and local community boards.

  • Support newcomers in advocating for themselves and their communities.

Land Acknowledgement

El Shama Cares Foundation acknowledges with deep respect that we live, work, and serve on Treaty 6 Territory, the traditional and ancestral lands of many First Nations, including the Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Blackfoot, and Dene peoples, as well as the Métis Nation of Alberta. 

We honour the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples on this land, past, present, and future, and we recognize their ongoing contributions to our communities and our collective well-being.

As an organization dedicated to healing, empowerment, and care, we acknowledge that true reconciliation begins with listening, learning, and building authentic relationships rooted in respect and understanding.

We commit ourselves to walking alongside Indigenous communities in the spirit of partnership, fostering pathways of equity, healing, and shared responsibility for the generations to come.

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