Social service agencies reach out to Sikh community

When some Calgary Sikhs came to their cultural centre unsure where to turn to for help with job, addiction or counselling issues, those in charge weren’t sure where to direct them either.

On the other side of the equation, social service agencies in the city felt that despite a need in the Sikh community, members weren’t accessing the services available to them — services often available in Punjabi.

“The community people didn’t know where to go,” said

Harmandeep Singh, joint secretary of the Dashmesh Cultural Centre’s management committee.

“I think people wanted to talk to someone, but we’re not professionals.”

He said that in the seven months he’s been involved with the committee, they’ve received requests from individuals or families at least twice a week.

So when Amrit Kaur, a liaison with the Calgary Counselling Centre, approached the centre’s board about how best to educate the community on available services, it welcomed the idea of the temple, or gurudwara, hosting information sessions.

Singh said it’s a good fit, since every Sunday up to 20,000 people attend the cultural centre at 135 Martindale Blvd N.E.

On this Sunday, for the first time, the counselling centre, the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association and the Calgary Workers Resource Centre set up tables in front of the gurudwara in the city’s northeast, handing out information and answering questions as people entered and left the temple.

Next weekend, those three agencies and the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission will be on site.

“For those that don’t know what to do or where to go, this is a way of letting them know,” Kaur said.

“This is something without borders.”

She said not only is language often a barrier for those in the community seeking help, but cultural differences, such as a reluctance to discuss certain matters, may prevent people from coming forward.

Gurbir Sandhu, executive director of the Calgary Workers Resource Centre, said many people new to the city and country are unaware of what assistance is available or how agencies such as the Workers’ Compensation Board operate.

“It bridges the gap between the mainstream and the community,” she said of the information fair, adding she hopes the next time they’ll be able to bring in more agencies.

kguttormson@theherald.canwest.com