Based on perception, often the reality of a situation can be very divergent among different groups.

Knowing that, Dauphin and Area Welcoming Communities Coalition co-ordinator Anna Lermolenko has set out to determine where the perceptions of the city align and differ among long-time community leaders and new immigrants.

To get to the reality of the situation, Lermolenko has organized separate discussions with the two groups to gather information.

“The purpose of these sessions is to bring different perspectives together and to better understand key community needs,” Lermolenko said, prior to the first meeting with community leaders, Feb. 18.

“I will compare the findings from both sessions to see where the perspectives of community leaders and immigrants align and where they may differ.”

The focused discussion centred on five key areas with specific questions posed in each area.

In the priority area of Inclusion of Immigrants workshop participants were asked:

• Based on your work role, what helps immigrants integrate successfully into the community;
• What barriers do you observe most often for immigrants; and
• Which immigrant groups seem to face the greatest challenges?

Read the full story in this weeks Dauphin Herald.