Building Rural Community Champions Knowledge-Sharing Training to Welcome, Attract, Retain, and Motivate (WARM) Newcomers Train the Trainer

Rural communities across Alberta play a vital role in newcomer attraction and retention, yet often face limited access to training, resources, and capacity-building opportunities. Challenges such as housing, availability, workforce readiness, and community integration can make long-term newcomer retention difficult. 

To support rural communities, RDN, in partnership with Action for Healthy Communities and the Yellowhead Regional Library, is offering a free, five-part training series designed for rural realities. The series equips community leaders, service providers, employers, educators, and organizations with practical tools to better welcome, support, and retain newcomers.

✅ Free, virtual training

🕑 Five topics (2.5 hours each)

🗓️ Two date options per session (10 total sessions )

👋 Open to all rural communities across Alberta 

#1: Navigating the System: Immigration Pathways, Barriers, and Rural Realities for Newcomers

🗓️ February 23, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM MT 

🗓️ February 26, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM MT

Learning Objectives

• Understand different categories of newcomer arrivals and their settlement implications
• Explore immigration trends and level targets
• Identify settlement barriers unique to rural communities

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#2: Housing, Belonging and Addressing Discrimination in Rural Alberta Communities

🗓️ March 10, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM MT

🗓️ March 11, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM MT

Learning Objectives

• Analyze rural housing conditions for newcomers
• Identify diverse housing needs and challenges
• Recognize and address housing discrimination
• Explore strategies to build culturally respectful housing relationships

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#3: Employment as a Foundation for Newcomer Attraction, Retention, and Community Belonging

🗓️ March 25, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM MT 

🗓️ March 26, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM MT

Learning Objectives

• Examine labour force challenges affecting newcomer employment
• Identify best practices for workplace integration
• Explore effective retention strategies
• Understand principles of intercultural communication and conflict resolution

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#4: Culturally Responsive Schools and Learning for Small Communities

🗓️ April 8, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM MT

🗓️ April 9, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM MT

Learning Objectives

• Support families navigating the education system
• Identify and refer to appropriate resources
• Develop strategies to support newcomer success in classrooms

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#5: Libraries and Community Organizations as Safe Spaces for Newcomer Integration in Rural Communities

🗓️ April 21, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM MT 

🗓️ April 22, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM MT

Learning Objectives

• Understand principles of welcoming and inclusive service delivery
• Identify best practices for newcomer support
• Address barriers to accessing community services
• Learn tools and resources to strengthen rural service delivery

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Registration Information:
Each session requires individual registration. When you register, you will be asked to select one date and time only for that session. This helps us manage participation and ensure a smooth experience for everyone.

Sign up today for the WARM Training Series and strengthen your community’s ability to support newcomers! 

If you have any questions please contact soheilah@ruraldevelopment.ca