Fall 2011 - Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area

MAGMA-AMGM
Volume 1, Issue 3
September, 2011
Embracing the Fall, Looking Back at the Summer!
The Mosaïq Festival (Multicultural Festival)
The 2011 Multicultural
Festival was an incredible
success, thanks to the
helpful support of many
local organizations, sponsors, and city officials who
all came together to facilitate this diverse event!
The weekend was filled
with culturally diverse music, dancing festivities,
markets, activities and
much, much more! Many
ethno-cultural associations
took part in hosting
booths to inform the pub-
lic about their heritages,
others participated on the
live stage, providing astonishing entertainment
throughout the entire
weekend. Many food venders took part, while other
organizations provided activities such as crafts and
other such opportunities!
10,000 Villages attended
the event, as well as other
diverse dignitaries to share
in the grand celebration of
Moncton’s multiculturalism.
Next year is sure to be
even bigger and better; it will be something not to be
missed! A sincere thank you to all the volunteers who
participated in this community-wide event and helped
the city celebrate the importance of multiculturalism!
One of the
entertainment
performances
for the 2011
festival included an
interactive
dance with
public participation. (left)
“To the world you may only be one person, but to one person, you may be the world!”
Doctors Without Borders/
Medicines Sans Frontieres,
made one of its many stops
through its eye opening
tour in Moncton this September. Making public
awareness and education
one if its primary goals,
MSF rebuilt a mock refugee
camp open to the public to
view in order to display the
reality of refugee camps to
the public of greater Moncton, as well as the other
cities on its tour, that many
Canadians aren’t aware of.
Opening its doors to
schools, students of all
ages, community members,
organizations, and all other
“A Refugee Camp in the Heart of the City”
interested groups or individuals to take the tour
for free. Main themes of the stations illustrated
on the tours included living (sleeping conditions),
food/water, sanitation, mental health, medical stations and clinics, among other important aspects of
these camps. Tour guides included nurses and MSF
members who have been previously deployed overseas, many of whom planned to return in the near
future. Other stops included
in the tour were Halifax,
Saint John’s, and Quebec. If
this is something you missed,
make it a goal for next year.
Thank you to Doctor’s Without Borders and all their volunteers for their work!
Above: MAGMA attended the tour
in 2 groups. Irina Raduly, Lode
Roels (Staff from MAGMA, and
client Mr. Darjee from Nepal, with
tour guide Trish.
Left: Tour guide Trish demonstrates at the station of the health
clinic.
A Battle to Discover NB’s diverse talents
Caption describing picture or graphic.
Above, One of MAGMA’s clients, Jemina
Casséus sings as a participant in the Moncton competition of Battle of the Arts.
Battle of the Arts NB has begun discovering more of New Brunswick’s
talented youth again this year, with a
competition that has grown from citywide to province-wide. Battle of the
Arts is a fundraising event aimed at
supporting War Child Canada. After
visiting cities across New Brunswick,
and hosting local talent competitions,
the top participants are selected to
battle it out at the finale, on stage at
the Playhouse in Fredericton, for the
grand prize! The finale will take place
Sunday, October 30th, at 6pm. Each
show has collected donations at the
door of their competition, sending all
proceeds of the events to the War
Child Charity, which works with children across the globe who have been
affected by war. Battle of the Arts
has and will be making stops in Fredericton, Woodstock, St. George,
Saint John, Edmunston, and Bathurst.
BOTA will be making one last stop
before the finale at the Delta in Fredericton to feature more great talent through the pre-finale show on
Saturday, October 22nd. For more
info visit www.battleofthearts.ca
“Volunteers make a world of difference”
Newcomer Seniors Touch the Ocean d’appréciation des bénévoles de
MAGMA’s senior clients had the
opportunity to touch the ocean surrounding New Brunswick this summer thanks to Senior’s Immigrant
Coordinator Lode Roels. With multiple stops planned last month, Lode
took all of his interested clients on
a trip to discover the near by town
of Shediac and what it has to offer.
Making a stop at the must-see largest lobster sculpture Canada has to
see, taking scenic pictures nearby
for souvenirs for the clients,
Above: Seniors Immigrant Coordinator Accompanies several of his clients to Shediac.
This is one of many stops they made in the
shopping at the close-by touristic
wharf style shops, and spending the
afternoon at Parlee Beach were major
features of the trip. For many clients
in attendance, it was their first time
touching the ocean, and seeing this new
town from their new home province.
The clients were delighted with a stop
for ice cream on the way home. Future
plans are in the works for the Seniors ,
in order to help these newcomers discover all that NB has to offer, and experience life as a New Brunswicker.
MAGMA’s Soccer Team—A Growing Success!
Over the years, MAGMA has developed many programs aimed at involving
its clients within the Greater Moncton
Community. A new initiative that began
last year and has been growing with
not only interest, but also in success,
is the MAGMA Soccer Team. As part
of his youth program, Carlo Di
Bonaventura, MAGMA’s Community
Youth Engagement Coordinator, put
together a soccer team consisting of members/clients of
MAGMA, and entered the team into a local league for
Page 2
Greater Moncton. This year, the soccer
team has grown to 16 players, all of whom
have incredible talent on the field, The
improvement from the first year they
played to this year is tremendous; in
2010, MAGMA finished in 12th place
within the league standings, this year
MAGMA’s team took 3rd place, promising
a great season for next year! For more
info or if you are interested in participating next year please contact Carlo Di Bonaventura at
MAGMA: 858-9659, or by e-mail at carlo@magma-amgm.org.
Embracing the Fall, Looking Back at the Summer!
Featured Staff: Lode Roels
If you have been around MAGMA during the last few months, you may have
noticed a few unfamiliar faces, that
have come on board as MAGMA staff!
Among these individuals is a recent
immigrant himself, Lode Roels. Having
spent most of life in Brussels, Lode,
his wife, and their two children left
Belgium this year to come to Canada
and embraced the life of the Maritimes.
On May 30th of this year, Lode
joined the MAGMA team as our new
Immigrant Seniors Coordinator. In
this role, Lode has worked hard to
develop the program for his senior
clients, organizing many activities,
tours, educational experiences, dinners and so much more. Helping in
many aspects of his clients’ lives,
Lode plays a key role in the settlement, adaptation, and orientation of the
senior newcomers to the
Greater Moncton Area.
Besides working in this new position,
Lode’s talents extend beyond helping
the clients of MAGMA. Coming from
Belgium, he did not have the same
career path as he does now. If you
knew him back then, you may have
heard him
on their local radio
stations,
where he
worked as a
host. Other
interests he
has are biking, as well
as flying
airplanes.
When asked
what he
finds unique
about working at MAGMA, Lode responded `The multicultural aspect
has been really great. I`ve never
been in a position before where I`ve
met so many individuals from so many
different countries. So far I have
had the opportunity of using my English, French, Spanish, Flemish and
German`. Lode says the best part of
his job is that he has the ability to
help newcomers, and being an immigrant himself, he understands the
questions, concerns and needs a person arriving in Canada will have. Being
able to give back to others and help
his clients, for him, has made his job
a great thing to do. Coordinating the
Seniors` Program is not always an
easy task. It can often be difficult to
find senior clients and participants
for the activities that are planned. If
you or someone you know are interested in participating in any of
Lode`s activities, or believe you or
they could benefit from his services,
don`t hesitate to contact him at
lode.roels@magma-amgm.org or by
phone at 858-9659 ext. 2285
`There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer. With it beats the spirit of service, generosity,
and compassion...and the health and well-being of our community, our country, and our world`
Below: Ann Troop and her UdeM class were treated by a visit and
presentation from a local RCMP officer.
Above: Lode Roels, Kristen Barnes, and senior clients in Shediac!
Volume 1, Issue 3
Page 3
MAGMA Appreciates You!
Above: Board Member Mario, who hosts many events at
his local business La Teraz, speaks with MAGMA clients
and staff at the recent Senior`s Dinner.
MAGMA is always quite
busy with all the work it
does throughout the community and working with its
clients. Often, events and
activities outside the office
make for a great treat for
all of the members of
MAGMA including staff,
board, clients and volunteers. Recently, MAGMA
has engaged in a few of
these events. Starting earlier this summer, the Board
and Staff of the organization attended the Staff
Appreciation Night at La
Teraz, where they enjoyed
music, dance, food, and so
much more! The staff all recently enjoyed a night out
together at an evening of
pizza and bowling, and the
senior clients of MAGMA,
were honored at our recent
Seniors Dinner held also at La
Teraz. This coming February,
MAGMA will be hosting its
annual Volunteer Appreciation
Banquet, that will take place
on the 2nd at NBCC. This
event will honor all those individuals who have given of
their time to MAGMA. For
further information on this,
please contact Kristen Barnes
“Volunteering is an act of heroism on a grand scale. And it matters profoundly. It
does more than help people beat the odds; it changes the odds.”
Q&A with Feature Volunteer: Laura Crawley
How long have you been a volunteer
with MAGMA for? I have been a volunteer with MAGMA since July of
this year, so approximately 3 months.
Why did you choose MAGMA as a
place to volunteer? I thought it
would be interesting to meet people
from different cultures and ethnic
backgrounds, and think it is a great
organization for helping people that
are new to our country, so they do not
feel alone; they have people to help
them get settled and learn how to live
in Canada.
What is your role as a volunteer
with MAGAM? As a Hostess, I help
people who have just come to Canada
fro another country get settled in our
country, school systems, grocery
stores, clothing stores, cooking, and
weather; Everything is so different
for them I also show them local
points of interest in our region, and
fun things to do in our area. I am also
a friend to them.
What is your favorite part about
volunteering with MAGMA? Learning
about their (clients’) cultures, making
new friends, and feeling like I am
making a difference in their lives
here in Canada. It is a chance to make
a difference for someone, and it is
very rewarding when you see a smile
on their face for helping them
What do you find unique about volunteering with MAGMA you wouldn’t
necessarily find elsewhere? Without
volunteering i wouldn't have the op-
portunity of meeting people from different countries and helping impact
their new life here in Canada. I cant
afford to travel to other countries to
try to make a difference, this way I
can do it right here in my own city
What would you tell other people
considering volunteering with
MAGMA? I think it is a great organization and a great way to get involved
in helping others. I would recommend
it to anyone who would like to make a
difference in someone else's life
Is there anything you are looking
forward to in terms of your volunteerism with us? Meeting more people from different countries and
sharing ideas and experiences with
other volunteers. I look forward to
maintaining friendships for life with
the people I have met, it starts as
volunteering but opens up doors for
rewarding relationships
MAGMA Clients learn the importance of Volunteerism and Community Involvement
As a part of the pre-launch week for the Multicultural
Festival this summer, the MAGMA community took part
in many activities out the preceding week of the festival.
For the second year in a row, clients of MAGMA took
part in the “Voluntour”, a event organized to demonstrate to the clients the importance of volunteerism and
community involvement within the Greater Moncton
Area, or wherever they live. This year, 30 clients and
several staff boarded shuttles and toured the city visiting and receiving tours from the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club
Moncton, and Youth QUEST, Before the activity took
place, the participants got the wonderful opportunity of
speaking with a representative from the United Way,
who spoke and answered questions on volunteerism. The
Voluntour was such a huge success this year, the inter-
est from both the community and the participants has
increased both years. Besides those participating, CBC
Radio Canada accompanied MAGMA on the tour to feature the event on a special news broadcast.
Kristen Barnes, MAGMA’s Community Connections Coordinator, and coordinator of the event would like to thank
all of the incredible organizations who took part in this
great event, and to those who helped with the tours, “you
each truly made an impact and a lasting impression on
those who participated in the tour. Many clients completed the Voluntour with the determination to begin
volunteering in the community. I heard many clients who
said they learned a lot, and would now like to give back to
the community of Greater Moncton and help in anyway
they can” —Kristen Barnes.
Featured Client: Sima Roohani
If you come to MAGMA, you to know there are certain familiar and friendly faces that you are sure to
see. One of these individuals is one of MAGMA’s clients, Sima Roohani. Sima arrived in Canada about 4
years ago, on November 25th, 2007.
Hailing from the capital of Iran, Tehran, Sima comes
from a city with a population of 13 million people. Having now lived in Canada for several years, Sima says
she loves the country, and many things about it. When
asked what her favorite aspect of her new country is,
she responded “the safety, people’s kindness, and the
culture here is the same as my country before the
revolution.”
Although, culturally Canada may be different for her,
Sima seems to fit right in with everything she does.
She has been very involved within MAGMA’s organization since arriving here. BeginAbove: Sima Roohani—MAGMA Client
ning as a client, Sima has utilized MAGMAS’s services both inside and outside of the classrooms. Once settled into
her new country, Sima also began volunteering with MAGMA, helping with many events,
in the educational department, in the seniors’ programs, as well as in many other aspects of the organization. Furthermore, Sima has also worked on a temporary project
for the Seniors’ program, and now helps as a substitute in the Childminding Center of
MAGMA. Sima enjoys many extra-curricular activities and hobbies including knitting,
sewing, going for walks, as well as doing some carpentry from time-to-time; she is very
talented with everything she does. “Back home, I used to make Iranian carpets, but I
can’t anymore because I don’t have the tools or materials here”, she says. Sima is a
true success story for a newcomer in Canada. She keeps herself busy and stays heavily
involved in the community, and in MAGMA. You can often find her visiting the staff at
MAGMA, and bringing a smile to the face of everyone who meets her!
Featured Pictures of the Season
Thank you to all volunteer photographers for their incredible work!
Featured Pictures of the Season
Thank you to all volunteer photographers for their incredible work!
Featured Pictures of the Season
Thank you to all volunteer photographers for their incredible work!
Featured Pictures of the Season
Thank you to all volunteer photographers for their incredible work!
Volunteer With MAGMA
Address: 150 Queen St,
Moncton NB, E1C 1K8
Tel: (506) 858-9659
MAGMA’s mission is to enrich and
enhance the well being of our community
by fostering and nurturing respect,
understanding, acceptance of and
assisting people from all heritages.
For readers who would like more
information about MAGMA and this
newsletter, you may contact us by email
or phone.
Visit us at www.magma-amgm.org
What’s going on at
MAGMA?
There are always many things coming
up at MAGMA, as well as several ongoing activities that are perfect opportunities to become involved in the
community. Here are some dates to
remember, and things to add to your
calendar!
Conversation Circles:
Tuesdays—6pm @ MAGMA (English)
Wednesdays—4:30pm @ the Dieppe
Library (French)
Thursday—6:30pm @ the Riverview
Library (English), 8pm @ Café Maelstrom (Spanish)
Saturdays—9am @ MAGMA (French)
Frontier College tutoring program:
Mondays: 6-7pm (Parkton Community
Center—66 Lancaster Dr)
Why Volunteer at MAGMA?
MAGMA is a non-profit organization that makes a significant difference in the
lives of the clients that we serve as well as our community. Every volunteer who
gives time in helping our organization changes the lives of the people we serve
and the positively impacts the community we live in.
Volunteering at MAGMA is a way to make a difference in a newcomer’s integration process, while developing a friendship, building self confidence, feeling
valued and needed and also developing new skills.
Volunteer Programs:
With a variety of different volunteer programs, you will certainly find one that
fits your needs, interest and availabilities.
Community Connections Program: Matches community volunteers and newcomers, as either individuals or as families, who then spend time together
in friendship and mutual learning;
Educational Program: Tutors help improve written and spoken language skills
of newcomers (e.g. in class tutoring, tutoring outside the classroom, etc.)
Career Readiness Program: While working with employment counselors, volunteers help prepare newcomers to the Canadian workplace (e.g. Interview process, improving resumes and cover letters, professional mentoring, etc.)
Festivals and Events Program: On call volunteers to participate in community
welcoming events such as festivals, banquets, community fairs, etc.
Community Outreach Program: On call volunteers to participate as drivers for
after school activities or appointments, assisting with extra curricular
activities (e.g. sports, music lessons, etc.), assisting the life coach in helping newcomer families or participating in childmining activities.
Interpreters and Translators Program: On call volunteers who help facilitate
communication between newcomers and other services required (e.g.
interpreters) and also help render written work into another language \.
(e.g. translators)
To volunteer contact: info@magma-amgm.org or 858-9659 ext. 2299
Volunteer Appreciation Banquet:
February 2nd, 2012
MAGMA’s Women’s Group meets
every 3rd Thursday of the Month @
La Teraz. For more info, please contact MAGMA
MAGMA would also like to acknowledge
the great work of Superstore. This
company is also embracing multiculturalism and the integration of newcomers
into the employment sector of the
Greater Moncton Area by providing
language classes to their immigrant and
foreign staff.
MAGMA would like to challenge anyone
out there who is interested in making a
difference like this to reach out to us
and let us help you discover just how
you can impact the lives of the newcomers to Greater Moncton!
You can now find us on:
Facebook and Twitter,
please come visit!
Thank You MAGMA Funders
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
City of Moncton
Canadian Heritage
New Brunswick Multicultural Council Inc.
Ville de Dieppe
South East Reginal Adult Learning Centre
Province of New Brunswick
Town of Riverview