About Care for Newcomers
Care for Newcomers, formerly the Central Alberta Refugee Effort (C.A.R.E.), was formed in 1979 by a group of concerned citizens wanting to assist Indochinese refugees fleeing the aftermath of the Vietnam War. The Central Alberta Refugee Effort (C.A.R.E.) became a registered non-profit society a year later. In 1982 it received status as a charitable organization. Since its inception, Care for Newcomers' mission has been to assist immigrants and refugees in integrating and settling into our community.
Over the years, we have helped tens of thousands of newcomers from all regions of the world. Newcomers include economic Immigrants, people who reunite with their families, international students, temporary residents, and refugees.
Care for Newcomers provides several services and programs — English for life in Canada, youth settlement, community engagement and bridging, volunteering, employment, intercultural awareness and education, community events, translation, interpretation, and childcare support. Over 60 highly skilled employees are passionate about supporting newcomers in their journey to settle for a successful life in Central Alberta.
We have established ourselves as a strong community stakeholder in many areas, as we believe it takes an entire community to welcome newcomers and make them feel at home. We partner with many organizations, businesses, and collective impact initiatives.
We believe in the strength of diversity. Exposure to diversity changes the way people think and ultimately improves innovation, creativity, and problem-solving skills, which makes us smarter.
Care for Newcomers is actively involved in collective initiatives to build a stronger settlement sector, on local, regional, and national levels. We are a member of AAISA, the Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies.
Through membership in Volunteer Alberta and a local network of non-profit organizations, we help to develop a stronger non-profit sector, needed for strong civic engagement.
Our Core VALUES
RESPECT
We believe respect is a behaviour that guides every decision, interaction, and communication. At Care for Newcomers, we live respect through kindness, consideration, equity, acceptance, dignity, respect for individuals and roles, confidentiality, and forgiveness.
INCLUSION
We believe diversity and inclusion strengthen communities. At Care for Newcomers, we live inclusion through all efforts to ensure everyone can participate, be heard, and be included.
TRANSPARENCY
We believe that transparency builds trust-based relationships. At Care for Newcomers, we live transparency through accountability, honesty, openness, being honourable, vulnerability, and trustworthiness.
COLLABORATION
We believe we move farther when we go together. At Care for Newcomers, we live collaboration as more than working together; it is an ongoing process of learning, dealing with conflict in a good way, and celebrating and valuing the contributions of others.
ENCOURAGEMENT
We believe encouragement fosters the ownership of one’s own journey. At Care for Newcomers, we live encouragement by appreciating each other and offering positive, constructive feedback that motivates, empowers, and values.
INNOVATION
We believe innovation drives our ability to respond to emerging needs. At Care for Newcomers, we live innovation through anticipating changing needs, being creative and open to new ideas, and striving for continuous improvement.
OUR MISSION: "Through partnerships, programs, and services, Care for Newcomers supports successful newcomer integration"
OUR VISION: "Newcomers feel valued as contributing members of an inclusive Central Alberta.”
Our PARTNERSHIPS & Involvement in the Community
We provide settlement support to newcomers in Central Alberta, in close partnership with the Immigration and Settlement Services of Catholic Social Services.
Care for Newcomers is a founding partner in the Red Deer Local Immigration Partnership (RDLIP).
We are an engaged member of the Red Deer Welcoming & Inclusive Communities Network.
