While becoming a Naturalized Canadian Citizen may indicate a certain level of adjustment and settlement, there are still settlement-related challenges faced even after several years in Canada, particularly for seniors. Studies show that long-term immigrant seniors were at higher risk of loneliness than the Canadian-born seniors population. This may affect existing health related issues and economic issues that are particularly experienced by seniors. Naturalized Canadian Citizen seniors may also face the many challenges experienced by seniors of all backgrounds such as housing precarity, economic difficulties and access to health services but exacerbated by their immigrant experience. With many Naturalized Canadian Citizen seniors being supported through the BC Newcomer Services Program, it is important for service providers to understand their unique needs. 

This session is targeted to front-line settlement workers to provide information on the common settlement needs of seniors, why these needs occur, and the potential challenges serving a senior population. This session will offer concrete strategies to overcome these challenges, ways to meet needs, and methods to outreach to this specific population. 

Following the presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A with the speakers.

EVENT DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

Date: Monday, October 28, 2024    

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. PST   

Location: Zoom Webinar - Event details will be emailed immediately after registration

REGISTER HERE

SPEAKERS

Daisy Au  – Coordinator, Seniors Club Settlement & Family Services (MOSAIC) 

Daisy has over 20 years of experience in the immigrant settlement sector. As the Coordinator of MOSAIC Seniors Club, she engages immigrant seniors in social connection activities, community events and volunteering. Daisy is committed to empowering seniors to become leaders and mentors, helping them flourish in their new home. She advocates for the underserved immigrant senior population working to break social isolation. Passionate about supporting immigrants in integrating into Canadian society, Daisy strives to help them become contributing citizens. She also serves as a board member of the Metro Vancouver Cross Cultural Seniors Network and is a member of the Community-Based Seniors Services Leadership Council in BC and Canada working to break social isolation.

Diane Wilmann – Director Settlement and Seniors Programs (Little Mountain Neighbourhood House) 

Diane Wilmann is Director of Settlement and Older Adult Programs and Services at Little Mountain Neighbourhood House. She has over 25 years of experience supporting both settlement and older adult programs in BC wide community-based, not- for-profits.  She is privileged to work with the Little Mountain Team to host the Vancouver Neighbourhood House Settlement Consortium made up of the eight Neighbourhood Houses in Vancouver offering funded and coordinated settlement services. She is passionate about using collaborative, equity informed, decolonizing approaches to her work and about creating community spaces that honor and support the gifts, talents and needs of older adults at all stages of their migration journey.

Patricia Steiner – Older Adult Team Lead (Little Mountain Neighbourhood House) 

Pat Steiner is the Older Adult Team Lead Coordinator at Little Mountain Neighbourhood House and brings over 25 years of expertise in community programming and development in both the older adult and settlement sectors. Pat is known for her collaborative, relationship-inspired leadership, grounded in social justice, equity, and authenticity. She is deeply committed to cultivating connections and creating spaces for individuals and teams to grow. Her extensive experience spans roles at Family Services of Greater Vancouver, Pacific Immigrant Resources Society, and multiple Neighbourhood Houses. Her career continues to centre around service and integrity. Living on unceded Coast Salish lands, she is also a fiber artist, avid traveller, and a lifelong learner of languages.

QUESTIONS?

Send an email to Fernanda Hurtado: fhurtado@amssa.org