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A Study of the Settlement Needs and Issues Experienced by Sudanese Newcomers in Windsor/Essex County

(Adobe Acrobat PDF)

This qualitative study examines the settlement needs and issues experienced by Sudanese Newcomers in the Windsor/Essex County Area. Individual interviews were held with twenty-one Sudanese newcomer, ten service providing organizations and five key informants. Recommendations are made in the areas of service provision, employment, programming, education, initial settlement programming, housing and social integration.

The overall findings of these interviews included many of the following issues that the Sudanese people and local assistance providers have experienced:

• Major problems in attaining employment
• Lack of basic life skills training
• Onerous debt load from travel and medical assessment costs
• Lack of recognition of foreign credentials
• Lack of assistance in obtaining appropriate housing
• Inaccessibility of English classes particularly for women due to lack of day care
• The prevalence of loneliness and isolation experienced by interviewees

As a relatively recent group of newcomers to the area, the Sudanese had not yet established a cultural base within the community that facilitated their settlement. However, efforts were being made to construct this base by both assistance providers and members of the Sudanese community. Based on the needs expressed by the three groups interviewed, the researchers have made recommendations in the areas of service provision, employment programming, education, initial settlement programming, housing and social integration.

Throughout the report, the researchers attempted to accurately share stories and information that describes the settlement needs of, and issues experienced by, Sudanese newcomers in the Windsor area. In addition, the researchers have attempted to accurately analyze and describe the challenges of those who have attempted to assist the Sudanese community.

Format: This report is available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format [149K, 75 pages].

Language: English

Additional Information

The Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County, 245 Janette Avenue, Windsor Ontario, N9A 4Z2