– Written and produced by Laila’s class (Intensive English for International Students)

The Peace Award honours the courage, strength and determination of students who were forced to flee their homes under threat of persecution, conflict and violence and have shown perseverance in reaching their educational goals, while overcoming challenges and adapting to a new life in Canada.
There are two Awards of $1,000 each.
SCREENING CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPANTS

• Must be a RRC student in a full-time academic program
• Must be graduating anytime between September 1, 2014 and August 31, 2015
• Must have immigrated to Canada as a refugees/refugee claimants*

*Note: First consideration will be given to individuals who have immigrated to Canada in the past 7 years
Applicants must submit a minimum of a 1,000 word description of their story/experience:

• Their adjustment and experience to living and learning in Canada
• Why they decided to study their current program at RRC
• How the Peace Award will help them succeed in reaching their career and life goals

All applications must be submitted by Sunday, February 8, 2015
All submissions will be evaluated by a panel and the successful applicants will be notified directly.
For more information or to apply, click here or contact Michelle Johnson, Mentorship Program Coordinator, at 204-632-3847 or mmjohnson@rrc.ca.

– A message from your friends in Diversity and Intercultural Services

Congratulations on making it to the end of the term! As you get ready for the holidays, here are 5 tips to stay busy, avoid boredom / homesickness, and make the most of your time off.

1. Be ready for next term! Go to the bookstore and buy your books for the next term, pay your fees, and review your timetable and the locations of your classes next term. This will not only allow you to enjoy the holidays without worry, but will make sure that your first days back in January are less hectic.
2. Go outside! Experience Canadian winter in all its glory. Dress for the weather and go skating, shopping, skiing, or sliding.
3. Meet friends! This is a great time to stay connected with friends you have not been able to spend time with during the term, and to make new friends.
4. Practice a hobby! Winter is a great time to read, cook, sew, practice photography, carve snow sculptures, or some other project you have been wanting to do.
5. Relax! Taking some time to sleep and clear your mind of the stresses of school life is important to your mental health and ability to perform when you come back to classes!

Enjoy your winter break – you deserve it!

›
Are you looking for an opportunity to volunteer?
›If you are interested in volunteering at Winnipeg Harvest, attend a volunteer orientation. You will learn about the organization’s mission, vision and goals. You will also have the opportunity to learn how Winnipeg Harvest functions on a daily basis and how you can help out!
›All are welcome to attend. Children under 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
To book your orientation, please call 204-982-3587 or email volunteer@winnipegharvest.org
Click here to learn more about Winnipeg Harvest.⇒

December 5th to January 3rd
6:00 – 10:00 PM each night
›Red River Exhibition Park (Assiniboine Downs)

• Drive-through light show (Over one million lights in 26 displays)
• Outdoor skating rink
• Free sleigh rides on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

›Advance tickets: $10 family ticket (one vehicle, up to 7 people)
›Buy tickets at Mac’s, Co-op Gas, Grocery Stores, Canad Inns
›Regular price (without advance tickets): $15

November is Career and Workforce Development Month in Manitoba. To recognize that, Manitoba Start has been hosting events to help you learn more about your industry and make some connections. This is an opportunity to connect with businesses and successful newcomers. Learn about career pathways and the skills employers are looking for. Through events like this, many newcomers have been able to make connections with employers, and eventually find jobs in their field.

Upcoming events:

Thursday, November 20; 2:00 – 4:30 – Industry Insights: Education

• Click here to register.

Tuesday, November 25; 2:00 – 4:30 – Industry Insights: Sales and Service

• Click here to register.

Wednesday, November 26; 2:00 – 4:30 – Industry Insights: Information and Communications Technology

• Click here to register.

Thursday, November 27; 2:00 – 4:30 – Industry Insights: Engineering

• Click here to register.
  

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Visit the Manitoba Start website for more information.

The Red River College website has a very interesting new section created by an RRC grad. “Mind It!” is a resource for RRC students; its purpose is to encourage awareness of positive mental health.
Language Training Centre students will be especially interested in this post about adjusting to life in Canada and at RRC.→

Congratulations to Anna Lofichenko and Yevgeniya Gavrys!
The AEPUCE students received an award for their progress and achievements in EAL studies. Their work and determination is an inspiration to us all!
Read all about it on RRC’s RED Blog.→
 

Do you like playing Soccer? RRC is recruiting futsal teams and players!
Date: Saturday, November 29, 2014
Time: 9 am – 4 pm
Location: Red River College, Notre Dame Campus – North Gym
Format:

• Matches will be played 6 on 6 Coed
• 8 – 10 players per team
• Round robin tournament format

Registration Deadline is March 3. All RRC staff and students are welcome to register for FREE.
Click here to register online.

• Register as an individual and be assigned to a team or register as a complete team
• All players must check in on Saturday, November 29 at 8:30 am
• For more information contact: Cole Skinner (coleskinner@rrc.ca) or Lauren Konrad (lkonrad@rrc.ca)

Some of our international students have been targeted by a phone scam telling students that they must pay education taxes immediately over the phone. Be careful of phone or email scams. DO NOT give anyone your personal or financial information if they contact you by phone or email. Contact your Student Integration Coordinator or the Winnipeg Police at 204-986-6222.
Scams typically target two things: your money, or your information. Some use fear, confusion, or greed to trick you to give them your money or credit card information. Others try to access your Social Insurance Number (SIN), driver’s license, banking information, website passwords or email address. They can use your identity to obtain credit, buy goods, or to scam others.
If you think there is a possibility that you may be targeted by a scam, get more information.

• Look up phone numbers, email addresses, or websites related to the company or individual contacting you. Be aware that a legitimate person or company may have had their identity stolen to use in the fraud.
• Red River College will never ask you to  make a financial transaction with an individual staff member. Only make payments  in person at the College or through the secured College website, where you will receive an immediate confirmation of payment.
• Never make payments over the phone.
• Get another opinion – talk to a friend, teacher, colleague, or advisor to see if there are some details that you are missing.
• Check with anti-fraud resources: The Better Business Bureau, Winnipeg Police Service, Competition Bureau of Canada, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. These organizations may have more information or warnings to help you recognize the scam.

If you are a victim of fraud:

• Don’t blame yourself. It is normal to feel embarrassed or even guilty. Talk about it with a friend, advisor, or make an appointment to meet with one of our Counsellors.
• Alert your bank / credit card / financial service or email provider about the scam. If you act quickly to alert to any illegal activity, you may be able to limit the amount of financial or information loss from the fraud.
• Criminals can use social media  (Twitter, Facebook, QQ, etc.) to  get personal information about you. If they may be using one of these accounts, consider closing the account and make sure that the new account is restricted to trusted persons.
• Report it to the police. The police may be able to investigate the fraud if it is locally-based, and warn others in the community about it.
  • Winnipeg Police: 204-986-6222.
•  You can also report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, which works to fight fraud across Canada.
• Talk to your Student Integration Coordinator. We can help you to get connected to the supports you need on and off-campus.

LINKS

• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
• Better Business Bureau
• Competition Bureau of Canada
• Little Black Book of Scams
• Winnipeg Police Service Anti-Fraud Division
• Financial Consumer Agency of Canada – Fraud
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police – Scams and Fraud
• Get Cyber Safe – Scams and Fraud

For more information on this topic, please contact your Student Integration Coordinator:
Jillian Hoogland
Phone: 204.945.8776 | Fax: 204.948.3214 | jhoogland@rrc.ca | www.rrc.ca/diversity