November has come and gone by as faster than the speed of light. This last month has been filled with meetings and planning the upcoming focus groups for newcomer mothers and daughters (age 10-16), that are taking place on December 13th & 14th. From planning the focus groups, to introducing the Sport for Newcomers initiative to settlement staff at the Centre for Newcomers Calgary, it has been a productive month getting the initiative ready for potential events to begin in the new year. All this planning makes it feel as though through this initiative we are going to make a difference, and support in the creation of a sense of community through the use of sport for newcomer youth.
As well as planning the focus groups, I have begun reaching out and making connections in the Calgary sport community. Making our goal known and learning about groups of people in the city of Calgary who have very similar goals, whom can work together with the Centre for Newcomers Calgary to help foster more accessible sporting opportunities for Newcomer youth. The main focus is on the focus groups (pun intended) at the moment so we can further understand what is needed from those involved to deliver the best programming we can offer to participants.
I am enjoying my time working with the Centre for Newcomers so far, and I am really looking forward to all we can accomplish together as we learn more from the newcomers here in Calgary who are interested in sporting activities.
By: Kalena Soehn