This edition explores issues surrounding at-risk youth in Edmonton, Alberta, and Canada.
Category: **Resources: ESPC Documents:
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Impact of Summer Temporary Employment Program Elimination in 2013
Members of the InterCity Forum on Social Policy (ICFSP) were concerned about the elimination of the STEP and its impact on municipalities. ICFSP members decided to develop and distribute a survey to members and key contacts within their communities to gauge the scope of this impact.
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Tracking the Trends 2013
To get your copy of the 2013 Tracking the Trends, click here Publication Mail In Order Form or use the PayPal option below.
Whether for planning programs and services, or developing policies, timely, accurate information is critical. Likewise, an understanding of the historical context of social issues is critical to the development of effective strategies for positive social change.
Presenting data in a single source, such as Tracking the Trends, permits us to see the trends in the context of other social changes occurring simultaneously. For example, the Consumer Price Index and average rents have risen at a more rapid rate than Alberta Works benefits. This means an erosion of living standards for vulnerable Albertans relying on these benefits.
Most Canadian publications present data at the national or provincial level. Tracking the Trends includes primarily Edmonton-level data. This makes it a useful tool for people working on social issues in Edmonton and the surrounding region.
A Tool for the Public
Edmontonians’ awareness of social issues is critical to improving the inclusiveness of our communities. A better understanding of the challenges our fellow citizens face can affect the way we think of and treat each other. Regardless of our backgrounds, we all share this city and region, and have an interest in its healthy future.
A Tool for Decision-Makers
For a planner or policy maker, this collection of data provides a clearer understanding of the current and historical social conditions in Edmonton. This information can provide the background necessary to make informed decisions, and even the insight needed to anticipate future changes.
We encourage readers to use Tracking the Trends to assess how well all levels of government are fulfilling their role in ensuring citizens have the support they need to maintain a decent standard of living.
A Tool for Social Organizations and Researchers
The work of organizations involved in social development activities must be informed by the current and historical context. The information in Tracking the Trends will prove useful for program planning, organizational strategy-building, as well as other community development activities.
Students and researchers will also benefit from this rich and unified source of data to inform their research projects. Such in-depth research is important for expanding our knowledge of specific issues and informing social policy development.
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2013 Social Justice Internship Report
Exploring Early Cultural and Economic Adaptation Process of the Newcomers in Michener Park, Edmonton, Alberta
2013
During the summer of 2013, our ESPC Social Justice Intern HM Ashraf Ali conducted a qualitative research project on social, economic and cultural barriers that are preventing newcomers in our city from realizing their full potential and living an enjoyable life in Canada. In this report, Mr. Ali discusses the findings of his research project, providing readers with detailed information about the challenges that these individuals face after arriving in Canada.
Abstract: Using ethnographic data, this study reports on the early sociocultural and economic experiences of the Bangladesh immigrant and non-immigrant families living in the Michener Park area in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Research findings show that newcomers experienced a wide range of social and economic constraints during their initial stage of sociocultural and economic adaptation to life in Edmonton. Lack of English language proficiency, Canadian job experience, or lack of Canadian education and training facilities, and nature of residency status in Canada led these newcomers to experience economic hardship in the earliest months of their new life in Canada. The aim of this research, therefore, was to examine: (a) why do these people come to Canada and what social and economic experiences have they had while living in Edmonton? (b) What barriers do they encounter that prevent them from obtaining their preferred job, how does this affect their household income and how do they manage to survive? This paper summarizes the responses of the newcomers who agreed to participate in this research project. The paper concludes with policy recommendations made by participants that could help newcomers overcome existing job barriers for the immigrant and non-immigrant families living in Edmonton.
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2012 November fACT Sheet Elder Abuse in Alberta
The ESPC has produced this fact sheet surrounding the issue of Elder Abuse in Alberta.