Community Better Challenge - Cochrane SPARkLErs Series: Episode 4
AUDIO FILE - LISTEN HERE
We have two amazing leaders with us today, Fleeha Ahmad from the Rockyview immigrant services and the Calgary Catholic Immigrant society Fleeha Ahmad and Jaya Dixit - Board Director of the Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee
Starting with Fleeha, tell us a little bit about yourself. Your family, what you like to do, and what physical activity you enjoy doing?
My husband is a veterinarian and I am a proud mother of 4 children. Together we love to hike. I love nature, yoga, and pilates classes.
How I got into this work is that I love traditions, culture, and people. I love to help and that is why this opportunity was so perfect for me and I just love my job. I’ve been working with the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society which is the major company out in downtown Calgary. I cover the rural areas which is a project that comes out of the company called the Rockyview Immigrant Services. Basically, I am a settlement counsellor, community connector, and program coordinator. I feel very happy that I’m the first person that people can connect to and build that bond. I get new learning experiences everyday because everyone is different and has different backgrounds so I have to research where they are coming from, their traditions, culture, and any trama they may have and work according to that.
Jaya, tell us a little about yourself.
I am the daughter of immigrants and seeing what my parents have done and been through while moving to Canada even before I was born, as I was born in Canada, has shaped how I see the world and immigration. I was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and I grew up in Ottawa. I’m the youngest of 3 girls and I’ve had a connection to sport since I was little.
I have 3 little kids and my husband is very active. For us here in Cochrane, being around the mountains, is a huge part of what we need to stay active and replenished and teaches our kids to love fresh air, being outdoors, and moving their bodies. Sport and being active has always been a big thing for me. Cochrane as a town has so much to offer and part of that is having so many ways to recreate.
I just joined the Cochrane Immigrant Services about 6 months ago. I’m a sociologist and I work as an equity, diversity, and inclusion advisory at the University of Calgary. Meaning that I spend a lot of my day thinking about biases people have and the systems that we can awaken ourselves to. A big part of my job is helping people with vocabulary, education, and tools first to see it in themselves and creating action plans on when they see something happening and how to stop it moving forward. As well as, creating inclusive spaces.
Fleeha, through the eyes of an immigrant family, how do they perceive Cochrane and everything that’s happening?
I think that Cochrane has come a long way with it’s diversity and inclusive community. I feel that it’s used as a role model for many communities as to what a superb job it’s doing in helping with the integration but also to build the sense of belonging for those families. I get the feedback from the families that they feel welcome in Cochrane, no matter where they came from or how long they’ve been in Cochrane. Yes, there are still struggles such as transportation, education, but those are settlement struggles. In terms of emotional connection I feel Cochrane is just one of the best communities that one can enter and start their life in. People in Cochrane are also very giving and willing to help.
Jaya, what about you? At what point do these families start looking for sport opportunities and where do they tend to go first in your experience?
There are no norms, more so patterns because every family is different. The need to move is human and for most families the need to move is immediate but, they don’t necessarily go into organized sport. Sport is so important and inclusive sport includes the whole community. It means that even the kids playing soccer on the corner, are they willing to invite someone in? The difference between when the families are ready to go into sport compared to when it’s possible is a big one. I’m sure that most families are ready right away, but that doesn’t mean that it’s possible right away.
Fleeha, are there any gaps in physical activity between kids that have grown up here compared to kids that have not?
I’m a big advocate for healthy living, no matter what exercise people are doing. Having a healthy inside means that they may look at the world in a more positive light. As far as kids are concerned, I feel they’re ready the next day. They just want to try anything that they are able to. Many of the kids are given bikes the next day after they arrive or I will take them down to the library to get the snowshoes or other equipment. The struggles lie in the financial barriers and the transportation. If they are given opportunities they take it right away. Most of the newcomers are very passionate about sport. The most beautiful part of it is that Cochrane has the most beautiful trails so you don’t even have to go too far to be able to enjoy the mountains and nature. Sports is something that if given the opportunity, I don’t think anyone would hold back on.
Jaya, have you seen any success stories in accessibility and inclusivity and is there anything that you think Cochrane can do better?
It’s important to listen to the voices of the community that have had struggles.
These huge efforts start with very small steps that a whole team commits to doing for a month or 2. Every organization has to have an internal conversation about inclusion and diversity and if they see those as sport excellence and leadership excellence. They answer has to be yes in order to proceed. There has to be a consensus to expand the meaning of what excellence means to them. In an ideal world we would be able to see who lives in our town and look at how this stacks up with the participants and how our board is built and staff. You don’t have to do everything yourself. You could go find some experts to help you. Have some engagement to learn why people might not feel welcome in your space or what people might want to see in order to bring their kids. Start to see what the barriers are and then start taking steps towards removing them. Don’t get overwhelmed and a good place to start is nothing about us, without us. ‘Us’ is who is in the community. If you’re not sure that you have all of the information to make a change, don’t just jump into the change. It’s important to take your time and learn more information.
Fleeha, what are some ways to engage those families that are feeling a little isolated right now?
Sometimes small groups work better than an open invite. For example the Boys and Girls clubs summer camp where there is a set schedule from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm where parents are able to drop their kids off at the same time everyday and pick them up at the same time everyday and they aren’t obliged to stay there. When there’s consistency in time and days it’s much easier for newcomers. As well, having the age groups makes it easy for me to reach out to my clients and say “here’s something that would work for your child” and they can just register and you would get an audience there. Even with the language barrier it’s important for the registration information to be simple so that I can just go over the form with the family and ask them the questions and it’s easy. When it’s a lengthy form then people would say “I don't’ have time for this right now”.
What would you spend the $100,000 dollars if we win the Community Better Challenge?
Freeha: I would definitely opt for activities because like I already said I’m such an advocate for active living and healthy choices. I would love to introduce more horseback riding and I feel there’s such a mental and physical connection between the horse and the rider. But they’re so costly, which is the big barrier that’s hard to get through.
Jaya: I’m a big fan of multipliers. My idea would be to bring impactful speakers and literacy that is impactful to a lot of sport organisations and people has such a multiplying and amplifying effect. It would be cool to see someone, like a paralympic athlete, who comes to Cochrane and gives a talk or a couple of really cool and inclusive sport pilots that if they’re successful create great examples or finally have sustainable funding.
We have two amazing leaders with us today, Fleeha Ahmad from the Rockyview immigrant services and the Calgary Catholic Immigrant society Fleeha Ahmad and Jaya Dixit - Board Director of the Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee
Starting with Fleeha, tell us a little bit about yourself. Your family, what you like to do, and what physical activity you enjoy doing?
My husband is a veterinarian and I am a proud mother of 4 children. Together we love to hike. I love nature, yoga, and pilates classes.
How I got into this work is that I love traditions, culture, and people. I love to help and that is why this opportunity was so perfect for me and I just love my job. I’ve been working with the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society which is the major company out in downtown Calgary. I cover the rural areas which is a project that comes out of the company called the Rockyview Immigrant Services. Basically, I am a settlement counsellor, community connector, and program coordinator. I feel very happy that I’m the first person that people can connect to and build that bond. I get new learning experiences everyday because everyone is different and has different backgrounds so I have to research where they are coming from, their traditions, culture, and any trama they may have and work according to that.
Jaya, tell us a little about yourself.
I am the daughter of immigrants and seeing what my parents have done and been through while moving to Canada even before I was born, as I was born in Canada, has shaped how I see the world and immigration. I was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and I grew up in Ottawa. I’m the youngest of 3 girls and I’ve had a connection to sport since I was little.
I have 3 little kids and my husband is very active. For us here in Cochrane, being around the mountains, is a huge part of what we need to stay active and replenished and teaches our kids to love fresh air, being outdoors, and moving their bodies. Sport and being active has always been a big thing for me. Cochrane as a town has so much to offer and part of that is having so many ways to recreate.
I just joined the Cochrane Immigrant Services about 6 months ago. I’m a sociologist and I work as an equity, diversity, and inclusion advisory at the University of Calgary. Meaning that I spend a lot of my day thinking about biases people have and the systems that we can awaken ourselves to. A big part of my job is helping people with vocabulary, education, and tools first to see it in themselves and creating action plans on when they see something happening and how to stop it moving forward. As well as, creating inclusive spaces.
Fleeha, through the eyes of an immigrant family, how do they perceive Cochrane and everything that’s happening?
I think that Cochrane has come a long way with it’s diversity and inclusive community. I feel that it’s used as a role model for many communities as to what a superb job it’s doing in helping with the integration but also to build the sense of belonging for those families. I get the feedback from the families that they feel welcome in Cochrane, no matter where they came from or how long they’ve been in Cochrane. Yes, there are still struggles such as transportation, education, but those are settlement struggles. In terms of emotional connection I feel Cochrane is just one of the best communities that one can enter and start their life in. People in Cochrane are also very giving and willing to help.
Jaya, what about you? At what point do these families start looking for sport opportunities and where do they tend to go first in your experience?
There are no norms, more so patterns because every family is different. The need to move is human and for most families the need to move is immediate but, they don’t necessarily go into organized sport. Sport is so important and inclusive sport includes the whole community. It means that even the kids playing soccer on the corner, are they willing to invite someone in? The difference between when the families are ready to go into sport compared to when it’s possible is a big one. I’m sure that most families are ready right away, but that doesn’t mean that it’s possible right away.
Fleeha, are there any gaps in physical activity between kids that have grown up here compared to kids that have not?
I’m a big advocate for healthy living, no matter what exercise people are doing. Having a healthy inside means that they may look at the world in a more positive light. As far as kids are concerned, I feel they’re ready the next day. They just want to try anything that they are able to. Many of the kids are given bikes the next day after they arrive or I will take them down to the library to get the snowshoes or other equipment. The struggles lie in the financial barriers and the transportation. If they are given opportunities they take it right away. Most of the newcomers are very passionate about sport. The most beautiful part of it is that Cochrane has the most beautiful trails so you don’t even have to go too far to be able to enjoy the mountains and nature. Sports is something that if given the opportunity, I don’t think anyone would hold back on.
Jaya, have you seen any success stories in accessibility and inclusivity and is there anything that you think Cochrane can do better?
It’s important to listen to the voices of the community that have had struggles.
These huge efforts start with very small steps that a whole team commits to doing for a month or 2. Every organization has to have an internal conversation about inclusion and diversity and if they see those as sport excellence and leadership excellence. They answer has to be yes in order to proceed. There has to be a consensus to expand the meaning of what excellence means to them. In an ideal world we would be able to see who lives in our town and look at how this stacks up with the participants and how our board is built and staff. You don’t have to do everything yourself. You could go find some experts to help you. Have some engagement to learn why people might not feel welcome in your space or what people might want to see in order to bring their kids. Start to see what the barriers are and then start taking steps towards removing them. Don’t get overwhelmed and a good place to start is nothing about us, without us. ‘Us’ is who is in the community. If you’re not sure that you have all of the information to make a change, don’t just jump into the change. It’s important to take your time and learn more information.
Fleeha, what are some ways to engage those families that are feeling a little isolated right now?
Sometimes small groups work better than an open invite. For example the Boys and Girls clubs summer camp where there is a set schedule from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm where parents are able to drop their kids off at the same time everyday and pick them up at the same time everyday and they aren’t obliged to stay there. When there’s consistency in time and days it’s much easier for newcomers. As well, having the age groups makes it easy for me to reach out to my clients and say “here’s something that would work for your child” and they can just register and you would get an audience there. Even with the language barrier it’s important for the registration information to be simple so that I can just go over the form with the family and ask them the questions and it’s easy. When it’s a lengthy form then people would say “I don't’ have time for this right now”.
What would you spend the $100,000 dollars if we win the Community Better Challenge?
Freeha: I would definitely opt for activities because like I already said I’m such an advocate for active living and healthy choices. I would love to introduce more horseback riding and I feel there’s such a mental and physical connection between the horse and the rider. But they’re so costly, which is the big barrier that’s hard to get through.
Jaya: I’m a big fan of multipliers. My idea would be to bring impactful speakers and literacy that is impactful to a lot of sport organisations and people has such a multiplying and amplifying effect. It would be cool to see someone, like a paralympic athlete, who comes to Cochrane and gives a talk or a couple of really cool and inclusive sport pilots that if they’re successful create great examples or finally have sustainable funding.
