Churches reach out to newcomers during current economic crisis
by Olivia Kitt

While world leaders continue to search for solutions to the global economic crisis, many people are just trying to deal with the day-to-day concerns of feeding their families and paying their bills. During these difficult times, Christians are taking the lead in helping those suffering the most from a slowing economy – Canada’s newcomers.

Over the past year, the province of Alberta endured the second largest decline in employment across Canada. According to Alberta Employment and Immigration, Alberta’s unemployment rate was 5.8% in March 2009, up from 3.4% in the previous year. Industries recently hit hardest by job loss include educational services, manufacturing, construction, and wholesale and retail trade.

Unfortunately, Alberta’s economic slow-down was preceded by an influx of newcomers to the province, including large numbers of temporary foreign workers who were given promises of a better life than their home country could offer. Citizenship & Immigration Canada states that in 2008, nearly 40,000 temporary foreign workers entered Alberta – 370% more than the number of workers who came to Alberta in 2004. In addition, the number of permanent residents (including immigrants and refugees) entering Alberta increased by 150% over the same time period, with over 24,000 in 2008.

Canada’s newcomers have been shown to have more difficulty finding employment than Canadian-born citizens. According to 2006 figures from Statistics Canada, the national unemployment rate for immigrants who came to Canada between 2001 and 2006 was 11.5%, compared to only 4.9% for Canadian-born citizens. Although everyone is affected by the recent downturn in the economy, Alberta’s newcomers are feeling the most pressure, as Canadian citizens take precedence in the labour market.

Given the problems newcomers are facing, church communities are now starting to see an opportunity to reach out and help by offering English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction. In doing so, newcomers are better able to communicate with those around them, and are more likely to be hired by employers who require English to be used in the workplace. Church-based ESL programs are also emerging as an alternative for those who want a more relaxed learning atmosphere, and an opportunity to connect with Canadians on a deeper level. They go beyond simple English language instruction and open up new doors for friendships between Canadians and newcomers.

Cooperative ESL Ministries is a non-profit organization based in Calgary that helps churches develop ESL ministries, and acts as a source of information for church volunteers who are new to the ESL field. Currently, around 40 churches are connected with the Cooperative, offering a variety of ESL classes, conversation groups, and Bible studies. The organization also recognizes the vulnerability of newcomers to unsolicited and manipulative persuasion, and emphasizes that churches "make clear that surreptitious, deceptive or coercive proselytizing is unacceptable." With a goal of truly helping one’s neighbour, churches can provide support to newcomers that goes beyond classroom learning and starts to build an integrated community.

For those wanting to help newcomers during this time of economic instability, Cooperative ESL Ministries will be hosting a conference entitled "Church-based ESL: Offering Hope in Hard Times" on May 22nd and 23rd in Calgary, Alberta. Details can be found on their website at www.eslcooperative.ca/events_upcoming.htm.