This project provides mainly local area practicum interns the opportunity to develop the knowledge, sensitivity and skill to practice more effectively with clients who are new immigrants an/or members of diverse cultural groups. As a result, students will develop an increased understanding of the cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity issues they will encounter throughout their future careers as social workers.

Who can participate

Interns in the first placement or in the advanced standing placement may elect to be in this project, which is in winter and spring terms. Approximately one placement day per week is focused on the project. Attending the Multicultural projects counts towards the student's practicum.

Program components

Interns have a placement in a main stream agency, for example a counselling centre, and do appoximately 7 hours per week in an ethno-specific or multicultural community organization. Some of their assignment may be part of projects already underway in their main agency as well. Interns may, for example, help families get oriented to Canada in terms of finding , schools, employment and/or be involved in writing funding proposals to help provide programs for particular ethno-specific groups. This is a flexible, somewhat informal project in terms of each interns plan.

Interns are required to take leadership in searching out relevant practice experiences with the assistance of the project coordinators. Interns are expected to participate in bi-weekly seminars in which they discuss the process of working with diverse cultures and learn directly from new-comers some of the challenges they have faced, including violence in their homelands.

Process

Students interested in participating in the KW Multicultural project must do so during the planning phase of their practicum. This can be done by indicating interest in the KW Multicultural project when completing their profiles on the Field Placement Portal.

Once the placements are announced, the practicum office shares the list of all interested students with the KW Multicultural centre who contacts the students to facilitate participation in the program.

Recognition

Interns who participate in th project receive a formal certificate of participation at the completion of the placement.

2013 Tentative Seminar Topics (open to students participating in the KW Multicultural project)

Some of the seminar topics include:

• Immigration and refugee policy and practice
• Working with an interpreter
• Recovery from trauma
• Gaps in services for victims of trauma
• Counselling support for newcomers
• Pathways to mental health
• Spirituality and social work