Program
Creative Spaces for Newcomers
- Research
Why we offer this
The Creative Spaces for Newcomers program concluded in March 2025. This initiative advanced NYCH’s commitment to innovation by engaging newcomer communities—particularly Tagalog and Arabic-speaking groups—in co-creating settlement services that reflect their unique needs and experiences.
Using a human-centred design approach, the program brought together community members and NYCH staff to collaboratively design and test new program and service concepts.
Through this work, we developed practical resources and frameworks, shared key learnings, and helped build a culture of innovation at NYCH. These contributions continue to inform our work and offer valuable insights for the broader settlement sector.
How it works
Key Audiences
There are varied reasons why newcomers might not engage with settlement services. For this project, the priorities are:
- newcomers who do not have time to attend regular services and programs; and
- newcomers whose preferences and expectations are not met by regular services and programs.
Based on NYCH’s experience, a large proportion of Filipinos and Arabic-speakers newcomers clients tend to meet these criteria and were selected as starting point for this project.
Anticipated Impacts
- Identify and develop tools and recommendations to engage and connect newcomers to relevant services adapted to their needs and preferences
- Increase the understanding and visibility of specific settlement journeys and immigration experiences of the selected newcomer communities
- Develop channels and strengthen the relationship between NYCH and newcomers that are part of these communities
Approach
The program design is centred on NYCH frontline workers’ and newcomers’ experiences and priorities.
Program Overview
From empathizing with the newcomers’ journeys and experiences to testing emerging ideas in real life. (please click on images to see large sizes)
For more information contact
