Leadership Programming
SODS’ flagship leadership program, LACE, is a cohort-based intensive leadership program designed for newcomer adults to enhance their leadership skills. LACE has consistently received a positive response and has a steady flow of interested newcomer participants from around the city.
To date, over 140 participants have graduated from LACE.
Offered by the Saskatoon Open Door Society, LACE is a community-focused initiative designed to empower newcomers in Saskatoon. It aims to develop leadership skills, foster community engagement, and build networks among immigrants and refugees.
The program is open to individuals with English fluency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 or higher.
LACE cohorts form smaller Learning Teams to practice teamwork, leadership,
and engage in a community issue with impactful results.
One LACE Learning Team deeply researched this topic, met with a father who is directly impacted by this nationwide crisis.
Newcomers who attended this presentation from the Learning Team had no knowledge of walk-in and urgent care clinics in Saskatoon.
Graduates have found employment, secured positions on boards of directors, attended City Council meetings, and participated in civic engagement meetings. Their contributions bring valuable multicultural perspectives to Saskatoon, fostering a more inclusive community. Participants report enhanced leadership skills and confidence, empowering them to be more actively engaged in their communities.
Participants have gone on to accomplish great things, including joining the boards of the Albert Community Centre, Francophone Association, and Meewasin Valley Authority:
