[Training is not always a quick solution].

Abstract

This article examines the training strategy developed in 1990 by the Table de concertation des Organismes de Montréal au service des Réfugiés, which was designed for social workers employed by non governmental organizations who were offering new arrivals a variety of support services to help them establish themselves and integrate. The term "new arrivals" includes immigrants and refugees, and takes into account the fact that members of communities that have been established in Québec for a longer period of time may still be using these services. The social workers of these organizations work on a permanent, temporary, internship or volunteer basis. Their work covers a wide variety of areas: assistance in finding lodging and furniture, held in meeting the requirements of immigration services, information on various public services (schools, health and social services, etc.) and referrals to appropriate specialized services. In short, the intervention of community social workers is characterized by versatility and diversity. In his article, the author uses the term "intervenant" to describe these social workers. The training strategy under study aims to facilitate communication and contacts between protagonists that do not necessarily share the same values, nor the same world vision.