Community advocates say essential safety resources, including first aid and CPR training, are often out of reach for many of Winnipeg’s newcomer communities. Although such courses are widely available, many immigrants don’t participate due to financial, linguistic, and cultural barriers. Without affordable, community-based training, families may remain unprepared for emergencies in their homes.

Winnipeg-based community organization Healthy Muslim Families (HMF) has worked to address this gap by providing safety information and resources at their location. However, for HMF Executive Director Humaira Jaleel, first aid training is often job-dependent and not widely pursued otherwise. “A lot of people don’t access them. They don’t access them until they need them because of their work. So, either their work provides that service, or if it is a requirement to find a job, then they do. But other than that, they don’t.”

The cost of training is a significant deterrent, with many families viewing it as an unnecessary expense unless required. “There is a need, but I think these things are not available to everyone just because of the cost and because it’s not in the community,” says Jaleel.

Programs like the Canadian Red Cross’s Smart Start could make a meaningful difference, offering free or low-cost, community-centred training sessions directly to neighbourhoods through partnerships with community groups. Language is also a barrier, with advocates noting that offering training in both English and common languages such as Arabic could significantly expand access and understanding.

“The more access we have, the better,” explains Jaleel, “So if we have this program that is provided to the community where they can come and just deliver it in the community, that would be awesome. Secondly, we know that language is a barrier. So, we need to be able to provide it in a language that people will understand.”

The Canadian Red Cross developed the SmartStart program to address these barriers. This initiative partners with community organizations to provide first aid and CPR training tailored to the needs of immigrant communities. Through SmartStart, groups like Healthy Muslim Families could host training sessions that are not only affordable but also tailored to cultural and language needs, significantly reducing the barriers newcomers face.

“Smart Start makes it easy for families to get the training they need in a familiar environment,” says Sian Proulx, the Injury Prevention Coordinator for the SmartStart program.

The program’s structure allows community leaders to coordinate sessions in accessible venues close to participants’ homes. Additionally, training materials are designed to be understandable and relevant, ensuring that families gain the skills necessary to handle emergencies.

The Smart Start program also educates newcomers on how to navigate emergency services in Canada. For instance, many newcomers may not be aware that 911 dispatchers have access to interpreters who can assist callers in various languages. By building awareness of these services, Smart Start empowers families to call for help with confidence, bridging critical cultural and procedural gaps.

Beyond cost and language, the SmartStart program focuses on teaching practical skills useful for common household accidents. Courses cover fundamental skills such as treating cuts, burns, and bruises and administering CPR. “What types of injuries happen in our houses? Small burns, cuts, bumps, or bruises,” said Proulx. “Knowing how to handle these situations calmly can make all the difference.”

Classes emphasize practical, hands-on skills that go beyond what people may have seen in movies or on television. Instructors demonstrate proper techniques, from chest compressions for CPR to bandaging and controlling bleeding, providing participants with skills they can use in emergencies.

With more newcomers in Winnipeg each year, the need for inclusive, community-focused safety training is growing. Advocates hope that expanding programs like Smart Start will encourage more families to take preventive action by enrolling in first aid training before emergencies occur. By removing the financial and linguistic barriers, these initiatives can help build safer communities where residents have the knowledge and confidence to respond to accidents and injuries.

– Ryan Funk, U Multicultural