Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
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Immigration Partnership News | |
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Calling all our partners and friends! Please complete the 2022 Partner Survey by October 17: https://surveys.regionofwaterloo.ca/partnersurvey2022.
We are half-way into our 5 year strategy – this year’s survey is your chance to share feedback and suggestions to guide our collaborative work over the next 2.5 years. As we mark this year’s the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, it is also your space to share input on how we engage in acts of Reconciliation in the context of our efforts to build community through immigration.
Your participation is vital. As a collaboration of many dynamic partners, your feedback on our progress in creating the conditions for immigrants to succeed and help build a welcoming, dynamic community for all is both appreciated and necessary to ensure we continue to have impact and add value in Waterloo Region.
The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete and several prizes are available.
If you have any questions contact Dan Vandebelt at dvandebelt@regionofwaterloo.ca or Tara Bedard at tbedard@regionofwaterloo.ca.
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Apply Now: Just Two Days Left to Apply to the Next Round of the Immigration Partnership Fund
for Immigrant and Refugee Initiatives
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October 5 is the next deadline to apply to the Immigration Partnership Fund for Immigrant and Refugee Initiatives. Established at the Waterloo Region Community Foundation as a signal of the welcoming community Waterloo Region strives to be, this fund supports initiatives that facilitate the welcoming, settling and integration of Ukrainians fleeing war and Afghan and other refugees in the Region.
Visit www.immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/funding for further information on eligibility and application link.
For more information, please contact Tara Bedard, Immigration Partnership Executive Director, at TBedard@regionofwaterloo.ca
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Oct 18: Beyond Orientation: Integrating and Retaining Immigrants in the Workplace
An In-Person Event for Employers
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We are very pleased to invite employers to a new session scheduled for October 18 to talk about integrating and retaining immigrants in the workplace. On this occasion, we have teamed up with Will Immploy to discuss industry best practices in retention, reducing turnover and improving staff productivity and morale.
Employer Playbook Official Launch. This is a special session as we will officially launch our new resource "Waterloo Region Employer Playbook." In addition, presentations will be followed by breakout group discussions and time to network, and lunch and refreshments will be included.
Don’t Miss Out! Space is Limited (up to 50 people). Register now.
We are excited to see you there!
This work is brought to you through a collaboration of Immigration Waterloo Region and WILL Immploy – A project of Will Employment Solutions.
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For more details on these events and other immigration, anti-racism and community initiatives, follow us on our social media accounts!
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Community Partner Highlights
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Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open
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The KW Multicultural Centre (KWMC) is offering in-person services at its new location: 715 Fischer Hallman Rd, Suite 401, Kitchener.
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YMCA Immigrant Services is providing in-person and remote settlement services.
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The YMCA language assessment centre is doing online and in-person language assessments.
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In Kitchener-Waterloo and area, KWMC is providing interpretation services remotely (phone or videoconferencing) in over 50 languages. Visit https://kwmulticultural.ca/interpreters or email interpreters@kwmc-on.com if you require an interpreter.
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In Cambridge, the YMCA is providing interpretation services (phone or video conferencing) remotely. Languages include: Arabic, Armenian, Farsi, Persian, Dari, Pashto, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish. If you require an interpreter email interpretations@ckw.ymca.ca.
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Reception House Waterloo Region is serving government-assisted refugees in person and remotely. Refugee arrivals are ongoing in Waterloo Region.
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COMPASS Refugee Centre (formerly MCRS) is serving refugee claimants virtually and in person for claim and settlement supports. Virtual Ready Tours in preparation for hearings are now available through COMPASS. They also provide safe, in-office access to virtual hearings for claimants who need I.T. support and confidential space.
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Sanctuary Refugee Health Centre continues to meet the health needs of refugees. Call ahead.
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Carizon’s Newcomer Mental Health and Well-Being Program: A Promise of Partnership is currently offering both online and in-person supports to refugees living in Waterloo Region. For more information on current groups, trauma counselling, supports for connecting to mental health resources and workshops, call 519 743-6333 or email promise@carizon.ca.
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St. Louis LINC and ESL classes offered morning and afternoon, both online and in-person this year. Evening and Saturday classes are not offered at this time. Please contact the YMCA first to get an English Language Assessments. Please email at intake@ytr.ymca.ca to make an appointment.
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Conestoga LINC language classes. Classes are currently held both on campus and online. When you register for class, a LINC technician will meet with you to help you get started.
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The Coalition of Muslim Women (CMW) of Kitchener-Waterloo invites Muslim youth (ages 13-25) to fill out the Muslim Youth Needs Assessment Survey and participate in focus group to inform community organizations and leadership of the issues that matter to them and impact them most. This survey will cover several topics, beneath which there will be questions that are either rated or for which participants will provide longer answers. Please contact Sarah Shafiq at sarah.shafiq@cmw-kw.org for any questions.
Complete the survey here
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Residents in Kitchener, including immigrants, are encouraged to become more deeply involved in making recommendations on the strategic work that the City should take over the next four years. Anyone 14 years of age and older who lives, goes to school, works, or owns a business or property in Kitchener is eligible. The City’s goal is to mirror the diversity of the community in the volunteer panel.
More information
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Refugee Integration Updates | |
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Supporting Afghan and Other Refugee Resettlement in Waterloo Region
Community members can support Afghan and other refugees arriving in the region in many ways: Providing affordable housing or primary care, making monetary donations to the Immigration Partnership Fund or Reception House Waterloo Region, donating clothing and other items, sponsoring refugee families, supporting family reunification efforts,etc. Visit http://immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/afghanresettlement for more information on the Afghan Resettlement in Waterloo Region!
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Visit www.immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/ukraine to learn how residents of Waterloo Region can support the Ukrainians coming to Canada. In addition, visitors will find helpful information and tools shared by the federal government specifically for Ukrainian individuals and families such as service access instructions, welcome to Canada checklist, SIN for Newcomers, etc.
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Information and Resources | |
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Last week, the Government of Canada announced new regulations that will better protect TFWs and help to prevent mistreatment and abuse during their stay in Canada by mandating that employers provide all TFWs with information about their rights in Canada; prohibiting reprisal by employers against workers, for instance against those who come forward with complaints; and prohibiting employers from charging recruitment fees to workers and holding them accountable for the actions of recruiters in this regard.
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The Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) program is an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) initiative that assists with the integration of newcomer children and families through school-based supports. SWIS workers act as cultural liaisons and system navigators, helping children succeed in school. In 2022, an evaluation was published for the 2017/2018 and 2020/2021 fiscal years. This summary presents some data from this evaluation that may be useful to settlement practitioners and others who have contact with the SWIS program.
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The Investing in Women’s Futures program by the Ontario government provides employment training opportunities and supports for women facing social and economic barriers, including abuse and isolation, so they can overcome barriers, increase well-being, build skills and gain employment. The new service delivery sites will be selected through a call for applications, which is now open to eligible organizations until Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
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October is a Celebration of Cultures | |
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October is a celebration of cultures. In October, Canadians celebrate Canadian Islamic History Month, German Heritage Month and Latin American Heritage Month.
In October we reaffirm our commitment to respect the difference and the expression of these diverse cultures that are present in our country and region with their traditions, languages and contributions. We invite Waterloo Region residents to be a part of these celebrations and acknowledge all of their hard work in helping make Canada and the region a place where everyone belongs.
Here are some events and resources to celebrate diversity in October.
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Oktoberfest, Sept 23-Oct 15, offers many opportunities for residents to learn about the German Culture and traditions: "There are many ways to take in the Oktoberfest Experience during the festival. With different Festhallen venues each offering their own experience, and dozens of family and cultural Events to choose from, there is something for everyone!" Learn more here.
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Carizon Fall Youth Programs | |
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Carizon has designed several programs for young newcomers that will launch in October to foster the sense of belonging, reduce isolation and anxiety and give participants the opportunity to manage their lives in their new communities:
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Practice Your English, Sept 26-Nov 21,
3-4pm
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Practice your English skills at Kitchener Public Library in a small group setting with a trained volunteer; all from the comfort of your own home! All newcomers are welcome.
This virtual program requires registration, an email address, and access to a laptop, tablet, or mobile device.
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Healthy Women Together, Sept 21- Oct 11, 12pm and 4pm | |
Healthy Women Together is intended for newcomer women to the area to come together and share experiences as well as learn new skills and information that would be beneficial to getting settled in Canada. YMCA of Three Rivers will be bringing in a variety of expert speakers to talk on topics such as Canadian banking, social media, mental health, fake news, and more! | |
Growing Stronger Adult Trauma Program Sept 22- Dec 15, 1-3pm | |
This is a newcomer mental health and wellbeing program designed by Carizon. A supportive space for group members with similar experiences, to identify what triggers their trauma reactions and practice the skills necessary to cope and feel grounded. Open to adults 18+ who hold refugee or protected person status. | |
English Conversation Circle, Oct 1- Nov 5, 9:30-11am | |
Newcomers are invited to practice their English skills while they talk, listen, learn, and laugh about life in Canada. This free drop-in program is a great way to improve their English speaking skills and meet new people. No registration required. | |
Parent's Talk it Through, Oct 3-Nov 21, 11am-12:30pm | |
Do you find parenting in a new culture stressful? Are you looking for ways to connect with your child? Carizon’s Newcomer Mental Health and Well-being Program invites newcomer parents to come Talk it Through where they can learn and share strategies. Open to Parents of children of all ages who currently have refugee or protected person status. | |
Affordable Housing World Cafe, Oct 4, 9am-12pm | |
Leadership Waterloo Region (LWR) continues to partner with The Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience (WISIR) at the University of Waterloo and Wellbeing Waterloo Region to bring community stakeholders together around a complex problem and involve students in working through a process designed to breed systems innovation. Through the teaching and facilitation from WISIR, the class will once again collectively take on a critical issue as identified by Wellbeing Waterloo Region: Affordable Housing. | |
Let’s Talk Program for Newcomer Youth, Oct 5-Nov 23, 5-7pm | |
Let’s Talk is a free program by KW Multicultural Centre for newcomer youth ages 14-21 that focuses on academic and career guidance. The upcoming Fall sessions will run weekly on Wednesdays between Oct 5 - Nov 23 at the KPL Central Library, 85 Queen Street North, Kitchener. During this 8-week free program, youth will be connected with various community and career mentors for support and guidance based on their needs and interests. Please contact letstalk@kwmulticultural.ca for more information. | |
Tea and talk Women's Group, Oct 7-Nov 25, 10-11:30am | |
This is a group for newcomer women organized by Carizon that provides an opportunity to discuss their experiences adjusting to life in Canada, learn strategies to enhance holistic wellbeing, and focus on building connections and relationships within the group and larger community. | |
La Semaine nationale de l'immigration francophone, Du 6 au 12 novembre 2022 | |
Du 6 au 12 novembre 2022, célébrons la Semaine nationale de l’immigration francophone et contribuons à mettre en valeur nos communautés francophones plurielles et inclusives. Cette 10e édition consacrée à « Nos traditions et notre avenir » proposera une multitude d’activités rassembleuses pour apprécier les différentes traditions francophones et réfléchir à un meilleur avenir pour chacune et chacun. Impliquez-vous à la célébration de la Semaine pour souligner les traditions et réfléchir ensemble sur l'avenir et le comment mieux vivre demain! | | | | | |
