EQUITY DIVERSITY INCLUSION BRIDGING CULTURES: MULTICULTURAL ELDERLY COMMUNITY CENTER PREPARED BY : VINESH CHAMPLON MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY INTRODUCTION INCLUSION DIVERSITY EQUITY Welcome to the Multicultural Community Centre for the Elderly, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at providing comprehensive support and services to Brampton's diverse elderly population. Our center is committed to embracing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles to ensure that every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered. BRIEF OVERVIEW The Multicultural Community Centre for the Elderly will serve as a beacon of inclusivity, offering a wide array of culturally sensitive programs, services, and facilities tailored to meet the unique needs of Brampton's elderly residents. From social gatherings to health and wellness programs, our center is dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging and enrichment among all members of our community. SCOPE The project scope encompasses developing and establishing the Multicultural Community Centre for the Elderly in Brampton, Ontario. Our centre will offer diverse services, including social activities, health and wellness programs, educational workshops, cultural celebrations, and support services for seniors and caregivers. DEFINING SERVICES AND PROGRAMS Conducting a needs assessment survey that includes questions about language proficiency, cultural preferences, and accessibility requirements. For example, the survey might identify a need for Arabiclanguage social activities or wheelchair-accessible exercise classes. Implementing virtual reality (VR) technology to offer virtual tours of cultural landmarks and heritage sites from around the world. For example, the center could partner with museums and cultural institutions to provide immersive experiences of famous landmarks, historical events, and traditional ceremonies. Offering a diverse range of programs, such as cooking workshops featuring cuisines from different cultures, intergenerational storytelling sessions where seniors share their cultural heritage with younger generations, and language exchange groups where participants can practice speaking different languages. PROMOTING DIVERSITY IN LEADERSHIP AND STAFFING Implementing a recruitment strategy that actively seeks candidates from diverse cultural backgrounds for leadership positions. For example, conducting outreach to local cultural organizations and community groups to advertise job vacancies. Providing cultural competency training for staff members to increase their understanding of cultural differences and their ability to effectively communicate and engage with people from diverse backgrounds. For instance, offering workshops on cultural sensitivity and unconscious bias to help staff members navigate cross-cultural interactions. FACILITIES DESIGN AND LAYOUT Incorporating features like automatic doors, ramps, and accessible washrooms to ensure that the center is welcoming and accessible to individuals with disabilities. For example, installing tactile paving to guide visually impaired visitors or providing adjustable-height tables and chairs to accommodate people with mobility impairments. Designing multipurpose spaces that can be easily adapted for different cultural activities. For instance, having a flexible event hall that can be transformed into a prayer space for religious gatherings or a dance studio for cultural performances. SCHEDULE Planning Phase: 14 months Pre-Opening Phase: 10 months Staff Recruitment and Training: 3 months Program and Service Development: 4 months Marketing and Outreach Campaigns: 3 months Construction Phase: 16 months TIMELINE Community Needs Assessment: 3 months Stakeholder Consultation and Engagement: 2 months Facility Design and Development: 6 months Funding Application and Approval: 3 months Permit Acquisition and Regulatory Approvals: 2 months Construction and Renovation: 12 months Equipment and Furnishing Installation: 2 months Grand Opening: 1 month Final Preparations and Testing: 1 month Grand Opening: 1 month TOTAL PROJECT DURATION: 41 MONTHS KEY MILESTONES Community Needs Assessment Facility Design and Development Program and Service Implementation Staff Recruitment and Training Grand Opening Celebration OUR REALISTIC TIMELINE ENSURES THAT EACH PHASE OF THE PROJECT IS CAREFULLY EXECUTED, ALLOWING FOR THOROUGH PLANNING, CONSTRUCTION, AND PREPARATION LEADING UP TO THE GRAND OPENING OF OUR CENTER. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT KEY STAKEHOLDERS: COMMUNITY MEMBERS FUNDING BODIES (FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL, MUNICIPAL) LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND AGENCIES PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS STRATEGIES FOR ENGAGEMENT: REGULAR COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND FORUMS TRANSPARENT COMMUNICATION CHANNELS (WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA) COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERS FEEDBACK MECHANISMS (SURVEYS, FOCUS GROUPS) MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT OF DIVERSE ELDERLY GROUPS EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT WITH STAKEHOLDERS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR BUILDING TRUST, FOSTERING COLLABORATION, AND ENSURING THAT THE MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY REFLECTS THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY. BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS STAFF TRAINING ON CULTURAL COMPETENCY CULTURAL COMPETENCY WORKSHOPS: $8,000 DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION SEMINARS: $5,000 LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION SERVICES: CONTRACT WITH LANGUAGE SERVICE PROVIDER: $10,000 TRANSLATION SERVICES (FOR WRITTEN MATERIALS): $2,000 ACCESSIBILITY ENHANCEMENTS: INSTALLATION OF RAMPS: $15,000 INSTALLATION OF AUTO. DOOR : $25,000 SIGNAGE FOR ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES: $5,000. MULTICULTURAL PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS: CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS AND EVENTS: $15,000 INTERCULTURAL WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES: $10,000 COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT: MARKETING AND PROMOTION: $8,000 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS: $7,000 GRAND TOTAL BUDGET ALLOCATION FOR DEI INITIATIVES: $108,000 OUR BUDGET ALLOCATION PRIORITIZES INVESTMENTS THAT PROMOTE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION, ENSURING THAT OUR CENTER IS ACCESSIBLE, CULTURALLY COMPETENT, AND RESPONSIVE TO THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF BRAMPTON'S ELDERLY POPULATION.
