Stay Informed on 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Protect Yourself
Friends of Immigration Partnership,

As the situation rapidly evolves in Waterloo Region due to COVID-19, we are doing our part to provide factual and practical information relevant to the community. 
 
All Immigration Partnership staff will be working from home until at least April 5, and all in person meetings are cancelled. We will continue to move our collaborative work forward online. 

Updates on immigrant services in Waterloo Region are included below. 
 
Stay up to date with the latest information about the spread of COVID-19. We have listed some resources and webpages with valuable information to mitigate transmission and help the region’s most vulnerable population. Please share with your networks, clients and partners that may find it useful.
 
Let’s all take care of each other from a distance. We’re in this together. 

Tara Bedard
Executive Director, Immigration Partnership
Update on Organizations Providing Direct Services to Newcomers/Immigrants
YMCA Immigrant Services:

  • In-person client services have been cancelled effective immediately until April 6, 2020. This includes Settlement, CLARS, NSP, IWF, SWIS and all of community Connection group activities, workshops and services. Alternative methods like using email and telephone will be used to provide information and referral and client support services during this time.
  • To contact YMCA Immigrant Services, call 519-579-9622 (in KW) or 519-621-1621 (in Cambridge) or email [email protected].
  • Visit www.ymcacambridgekw.ca or https://www.facebook.com/YMCAImmigrant/ or https://twitter.com/YMCAImmigrant for more information.
  KW Multicultural Centre (KWMC):

 Reception House:

  • The temporary residence at 101 David Street will be closed to the public. Core services for clients will continue on a modified service delivery basis.
  • The Administrative Office at 675 Queen Street South will continue operations. Clients and guests are asked to call or email ahead for appointments (519-743-0445 and [email protected]).
  • Volunteer programs, internships and student placements conducted at both of Reception House locations are postponed during this time. The youth program, New Canadian Youth Connections, is postponed during this time.
  • Volunteers in the Family Partnership Program and English Outreach are encouraged to follow good health practices, including social distancing.
  • Visit https://receptionhouse.ca or https://twitter.com/Reception_House or https://www.facebook.com/ReceptionHouseWR/ for more Information.
Sanctuary Refugee Health Centre:

Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support (MCRS) :

  • MCRS has reduced client meetings to only those that are urgent to facilitate meeting Basis of Claim or work permit renewal deadlines.
  • Planning for virtual meetings by end of day, Monday March 16, reducing, if not eliminating, the need for claimants to come to the office for assistance. Only essential staff will be working on site. All others will work from home.
  • MCRS has suspended all visitors (including residents' guests) and volunteers going to MCRS Guest House on Allen Street until further notice.
  • To contact MCRS email [email protected] or call 519-571-1912.
  • Visit https://mcrs.ca or https://twitter.com/MCRSrefugee or https://www.facebook.com/mennonitecoalitionforrefugeesupport/ for more information.
Language Learning Updates:



COVID-19 Information and Resources
Check out the additional Public Health measures to prevent the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the region in line with updated recommendations from the Government of Canada and the Chief Medical Officer of Health of Ontario, Region of Waterloo Public Health’s Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang.
The  Ontario Ministry of Health  has prepared an information Sheet on COVID-19 and translated it into  23 other languages  including French, Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, Hindi and Italian. Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre has translated it into two additional languages:  Tigrinya  and  Amharic.
In response to the Coronavirus Outbrea k , United Way Waterloo Region Communities has created the COVID-19 Community Response Fund to support the work of frontline organizations who are at the forefront of this issue and collectively striving to ensure our most vulnerable citizens are safe and healthy. Please consider a donation!
Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation has developed this five-question survey for charitable organizations to determine how to support them in the best way possible with the resources available and collaborate where possible with others.
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