Since its launch in 2021, Immigrant Services Calgary’s Gateway has transformed from a small pilot initiative into a robust network of 92 partners, collectively providing over 2,000 free services to immigrants and newcomers.
Over the past three years, this significant growth has established Gateway as a coordinated care system, fostering collaboration among clients, Gateway teams, and partners. To celebrate this and explore ways to enhance collaboration, we hosted the November Gateway Partner Networking event. The event gathered 40 partner agencies and 10 representatives from different Gateway teams, who evaluated best practices and brainstormed innovative approaches to further improving this system.
The Gateway model is simple but unique. Partners onboard the Gateway system with programs and services tailored to newcomer needs. Gateway Newcomer Planners conduct needs and assets assessment and referral (NAARS) sessions and gathers client feedback on service accessibility and satisfaction.
This feedback helps the Partner Success team, which works with partners, assess service relevance, identify gaps, and refine offerings. Partners then engage with Gateway Newcomer Planners through Learning Circles to raise awareness of their services and adapt to emerging client trends and team capacity.
This dynamic feedback loop enables the real-time monitoring of services and fosters multistakeholder collaboration. Gateway’s success would not be possible without the passion and commitment of our partners, who share a common goal of connecting clients to the right services at the right agencies.
The uniqueness of the Gateway lies in its emphasis on stakeholder ownership, transparent information sharing, and prompt response to emerging client needs. Together, we are building a system that empowers immigrants and newcomers realize their dreams and unleash their economic, social, and civic potential.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to expanding Gateway’s impact, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring Calgary continues to be a welcoming home for all.
Recent Comments