Singing Together report 2023 – 26
This report explores how singing and music-making can support the mental health, social connection, and overall wellbeing of newcomer communities during settlement. It draws on evidence showing that participatory music activities can create accessible, low-barrier spaces for expression and belonging, particularly in contexts where language and cultural transition can be challenging. By examining both lived […]
Mapping of Canadian policies: Gender-based violence & newcomer perspectives
Date: 2023 Author(s): Access Alliance Research Department, in collaboration with Sofia Karas, Dalla Lana School of Public Health placement student This policy map explores how newcomer perspectives are included in Canadian gender-based domestic violence policies and initiatives across municipal, provincial, and federal levels. Policies are categorized based on whether newcomer perspectives are integrated, limited, or […]
Connection manual: Mothers and children program guide
The Connections Manual is a guide for service providers and organizations to deliver group-based interventions for mothers and young children experiencing violence in relationships. Grounded in research and practice, this resource provides a structured curriculum that supports mothers in understanding the impact of violence, substance use, and trauma on their relationships, parenting, and child development. […]
A scoping review of community arts for newcomers in Canada
Date: TBD Author(s): Esther-Joelle Asare, Andrea Charise, Mariangela Castro Arteaga, Christen Kong Participatory, community-based creative practices, including community arts programs, may foster connection, expression, and cross-cultural understanding, offering a distinctive lens for newcomer wellness research and practice. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine Canadian studies of arts engagement initiatives in community that address […]
Community Arts Interventions for Newcomer Wellness
Date: March 2, 2026 Author(s): Christen Kong, Mariangela Castro-Arteaga, Hiba Irfan, Andrea Charise, Esther-Joelle Asare This environmental scan was conducted by FLOURISH: Community-Engaged Arts for Social Wellness Collective (FLOURISH) at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) in collaboration with Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services (Access Alliance) in 2024–2025. This environmental scan explores key […]
Creative interventions toolkit
The creative interventions toolkit is a practical guide that helps community members, facilitators, and organizations prevent and respond to interpersonal violence. Developed by Creative Interventions, it offers a community-based model that empowers everyday people to support survivors and take collective action beyond traditional criminal justice responses. Special feature: Includes step-by-step tools, exercises, and real-world stories […]
Sharing in the healing journey expressive arts toolkit
The sharing in the healing journey expressive arts toolkit is a practical guide that helps facilitators support children and their mothers or gender-diverse parents who have experienced domestic violence. Developed by YWCA Toronto and grounded in over 24 years of the Here to Help program, it provides step-by-step guidance for using expressive arts to support […]
Arts and health evaluation toolkit
The arts and health evaluation toolkit (AHET) is a plain-language guide that helps artists, practitioners, and community organizations run structured, credible evaluations of arts and health programmes. It offers step-by-step guidance to measure and communicate health and well-being outcomes as expectations for evidence and impact reporting grow. Special feature: Includes a structured guide for goal […]
The THRivE toolkit
The THRivE toolkit is a practical guide that helps arts and heritage practitioners, researchers, and organizations evaluate health and well-being outcomes in community and clinical settings. It provides structured, accessible guidance to strengthen evaluation design, analysis, and reporting as demand for credible outcome measurement grows. Special feature: Offers step-by-step guidance on measuring emotional responses, mood […]
Creative care: A resource for artists working in humanitarian contexts toolkit
The Creative Care Toolkit is a plain-language guide that helps artists working in humanitarian settings design safe, meaningful arts-based initiatives during times of crisis. Created for artists without formal training in creative arts therapies or psychosocial support, it offers step-by-step guidance grounded in safety, cultural humility, and collaboration. Special feature: Includes six step-by-step modules, real-world […]