sgnoticias

By Sergio Granillo (Posted on the Parkdale United Church newsletter, The Messenger) When Christmas is coming, people ask me ‘are you going home for Christmas?’ Well, I don’t have a clear answer for that. I was born in Mexico City, my family and I moved to a smaller town in 1985, Queretaro, where my mom lives… most time of the year. Then, I moved to Canada in 2005, and on November 30th I became a Canadian citizen; Toronto is my home now. This Christmas came as a beautiful present from heaven, because I had the chance to get together with my family for the holidays, after a long year of isolation. I have been looking for a job for several months now; away from my family, because of the recent federal decision of imposing visa requirement to Mexicans who want to come to Canada. The time was perfect, after a long wait, I got a notice to show up for the test of citizenship, I made it and four weeks later I got the results and the date for the oath ceremony. It was barely the right ti...

PARKDALE UNITED’S FIRST ANNUAL SEPTEMBER OUTREACH GALA (Posted on The Messenger, Parkdale United Church Newsletter) By Sergio Granillo Fall is in the air, the wind blows smooth refreshingly, weathered leaves on the lawn and dawn coming earlier giving way to a full moon. Inside the brick walls of Parkdale United Church, the air is full of laughter, excitement and expectation. Volunteers rush to finish the details of the fancy tables decorated with cute flowers and tea-lights shining, the china and silverware are all set on the tables. Rev. Shawn Lucas welcomed the attendees and after saying grace, food was served. Exquisite meals prepared by Chef Veronique, starting by a first course, tossed green salad a la vinaigrette. Few minutes later, the entrée made her way, roasted beef, chicken tights, seasoned potatoes and quiche Lorraine. In an ambiance of elegance, long dresses, black jackets and ties, everybody started the gourmet journey full of taste, the soiree was setting the mood for an...

(Posted in the Parkdale United Church newsletter "The Messenger") “There are not good refugees or bad refugees, just people in need.” By Sergio Granillo It was the night of April 29, in the premises of the Lawrence Park Community Church of Toronto. In a sober environment, refined and tasteful meals were served: Pasta cooked on the spot, beef kabob dipped in blue cheese, roast beef, sushi, breaded shrimp, surimi salad and wine; a chocolate fountain to dip fruit and marshmallows, pastries and cakes for dessert. There was some entertainment too, live music, a radio and TV personality hosted the night and did some interviews with the organizers; a silent auction took place at the end. All of that was the Gala, the most important event in the year to raise funds by the Anglican United Refugee Alliance (AURA), an ecumenical organization dedicated to facilitate the private sponsorship of refugees. For over 25 years, AURA has sponsored refugees from more than 25 countries. Mary Ito, ...

Short courses in finance and banking (Published in The Canadian Newcomer) By Sergio Granillo One of the main concerns when you come to Canada is to get your credentials recognized, to make valid your University degree and your professional experience. It is hard to accept that, at least for a while, you have to start a new career. And the fact of thinking of developing new skills in a different professional area makes a big difference between getting a ‘survival job’ –and staying there for a long time- and making that job a new career path. This is about my personal experience. I have a degree in Communications, more than 15 years working in marketing, public relations and journalism. Shortly after my arrival, I approached to some orientation centres and workshops to learn how to make a resume according to the Canadian workplace. Networking, a word new to me, came across in this workshop; a very useful tactic to get a job and to move up in the workplace. Luckily, I started my networkin...

(Posted in United Church The Observer magazine) By Sergio Granillo A slim high-rise with a small church on its ground floor towers above an old Victorian neighbourhood. Toronto’s Parkdale area was once home to the city’s high-profile inhabitants but is now populated by newcomers and low-income families. Crime, prostitution and drug dealing have followed. But ever since 1976, the slim high-rise, called Phoenix Place, has offered nearly 150 units of safe, affordable housing. “We are the very last option for housing for a number of individuals and families fleeing from countries in political distress or homeless Canadians. Our goal is to offer a transitional home before integrating them into society,” explains Rev. Shawn Lucas, minister of Parkdale United and head of the Parkdale United Church Foundation, which operates Phoenix Place and the adjacent Shalom House. But very soon, social housing will be only half of what Phoenix Place stands out for. A $7.5-million renovation project will e...

(Enviado a El Correo Canadiense) Por Sergio Granillo ¿Cómo se puede convertir una mega urbe de 20 millones de personas en un pueblo fantasma? Con la amenaza de un virus letal. La alerta de una pandemia mundial de Influenza H1V1, teniendo como ‘epicentro’ a México, parece más bien el experimento de un ‘tsunami informativo’ para comprobar la eficacia de la sicosis y el miedo de la población. Repentinamente aparece un virus mutante, que afecta básicamente la Ciudad de México, sólo a gente entre 20 y 50 años de edad y se esparce hacia centros turísticos y de ahí al mundo. Algo poco usual es que el gobierno reconozca de inmediato la gravedad del caso y lance una alerta global a través de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (WHO por siglas en inglés). Los efectos colaterales están afectando más al país: Cancelación de vuelos de varios países hacia México, la agudización de la discriminación contra mexicanos en el extranjero y la caída del turismo. Repentinamente, cuando la alerta mundial est...

(Publicado en El Correo Canadiense) Por Sergio Granillo Aun cuando los mercados financieros se recuperan y los bancos y empresas son rescatadas de la bancarrota, lo que queda tras una crisis económica es un endurecimiento del mercado laboral, y son los inmigrantes quienes tienen los mayores retos. En condiciones económicas normales los inmigrantes batallan contra dos grandes enemigos, la fala de ‘Experiencia Canadiense’ y el dominio del inglés; cuando la búsqueda de empleo se hace cada vez más difícil, los sueldos ofrecidos y las prestaciones se reducen, las exigencias son mayores y se abren espacios para la corrupción. El mercado laboral se empieza a saturar de personas demandantes de empleo y son cada vez menos los puestos ofrecidos, la competencia se hace mas reñida. Conservar el trabajo en este ambiente económico genera más tensión, la carga laboral aumenta y, en varias industrias, se tienen que aceptar reducción sueldos, de horas de trabajo y prestaciones. Esto propicia una compet...