Participation in a Community-Based Research Study on Newcomers and Self-Employment

12 Apr

We received this note and thought it worth sharing with the Kensington Community.
“We are currently looking for participants to take part in approximately 1 hour interviews about the topic of self-employment for newcomers. More information is included below. 
Please circulate this email and pass this information down to the appropriate channels. We are eager to speak to newcomers who have started their own business and appreciate your assistance and cooperation with our research project. 
Thank you,
Sylvia Hoang. “

PARTICIPATION IN A COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH STUDY ON NEWCOMERS AND SELF-EMPLOYMENT:

 

QUALIFICATION CRITERIA:

1) Lived in Canada for 10 years or less

2) Own and operate a business in the city of Toronto

3) Started their own business in the last 5 years (since 2008)

 

PURPOSE:  Social Planning Toronto (SPT), in partnership with the Newcomer’s Women’s Services Toronto (NEW) is conducting community based research on newcomers and self-employment. The project is entitled “Economy and Resilience of Newcomers (EARN)” and is funded by the City of Toronto. Our agencies are committed to full social and economic integration of newcomers into Canadian society and this research project is one of a number of activities to address this objective. EARN will examine how newcomers in Toronto, who have set up businesses since 2008, have developed economic resiliency through self-employment and small business development. EARN will examine the barriers and challenges faced by immigrants engaged in self-employment. As well, the project will identify the resources, community supports, and strategies they have developed to overcome these difficulties. This project will enable our organizations to table your voices to policy-makers within the city of Toronto, with the aim of enhancing the outcomes for newcomers in self-employment.

 

TIME COMMITMENT: One on one interviews (with a trained interviewer) will not last more than 1-1.5 hours.

 

LOCATION: Can conduct the interview at a location that is convenient for potential participant: Either at their business location, or at Social Planning Toronto (2 Carlton Street — College Subway Station).

 

COMPENSATION: Will receive $50.00 cheque in the mail (within 2 weeks after interview). TTC tokens are available for compensation for travel.

 

PRIVACY/CONFIDENTIALITY: Your participation is vital to the success of this study. We assure you that all the information that you provide will be treated with strict confidence and your contributions will not be associated with your name or business. Participants will have the option of having their name and business listed on the report or to remain anonymous. Information collected through interviews will be aggregated to reflect broad trends and patterns gathered through this study. There is also the option of attending community forum that is planned as part of this study.

 

INTERESTED PARTICIPANTS: Please send email with the following information below to community-based researcher, Sylvia Hoang (newcomer.EARN.project@gmail.com):

 

1) Your name

2) Gender

3) Age

4) Your business name/service you offer

5) Year that you have started your own business

6) Date of arrival to Toronto

7) Number of years you have lived in Canada

8 Contact information (phone number, email) and best time to call

9) Your availability for interview before April 25th, 2012

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