Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
August 09, 2021
Immigration Partnership Updates
Join The #RacialEquityWR Movement!

We are very excited to announce the launch of the #RacialEquityWR Campaign! It is an evolving campaign to end racism and discrimination in Waterloo Region which engages residents, local businesses and community partners in creating a welcoming and anti-racist community. We invite you to participate to show solidarity, share how you take action against hate and help spread the message of embracing diversity, belonging and equity for all.

How to participate in the campaign?

  1. Get a free #RacialEquityWR Lawn Sign. As of August 11, you can pick up a FREE #RacialEquityWR lawn sign at the Kitchener Public Library, Waterloo Public Library or Idea Exchange Library locations, and display it in front of your home or business.
  2. Take our social media challenge. Once you have your lawn sign, take a picture of your sign placed on the lawn of your house or your organization and share it on social media (Twitter, Fb, LinkedIn). Create a short message to go with it on how you take action against hate, and be sure to add the #RacialEquityWR hashtag.
  3. Encourage others to take action against racism. Promote the #RacialEquityWR campaign with your friends, family, neighbours and co-workers.

for detailed information on how to get involved in the campaign.
WANTED – Recruiting for Three New Members of the Immigration Partnership Council
The Immigration Partnership Council is currently recruiting for three new volunteer members, focused on leaders with involvement in business, housing development, legal services, human rights and equity. New members will help us enable immigrants to reach their full potential, building community, partnerships, collaboration and innovation.

Click here to listen to Tracey Hare Connell, Vice Chair of the Immigration Partnership Council, as she talks about the reasons for becoming a member of this amazing team of diverse and experienced professionals.

APPLY NOW! We want to hear from you – please see additional information and complete the expression of interest form here. The deadline for submissions is August 27, 2021. 
Follow us on our social media platforms for more immigration events and news!
Community Partner Highlights 
Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open
Federal, Provincial and Local Updates
Municipal Government
To learn more about the latest information, measures and changes to legislation due to COVID-19 Outbreak across the region, visit the Region of Waterloo website.


Walk-ins for first doses and eligible second are available at any vaccination clinic during operating hours, as long as sufficient vaccine is available. You must be 12 years or older at the time of your vaccination. 
Provincial
Government
To learn more about the latest information, measures and changes to legislation due to COVID-19 Outbreak across Ontario, visit the


The updated guidance follows calls from parents and operators for the government to review some of the rules that were brought in last summer when centres reopened, and brings some rules in line with Ontario's recently announced back-to-school plan.
Federal
Government
To learn more about the government support for individuals, businesses and industries during the COVID-19 Outbreak, visit the Government of Canada Website.




Employers who continue to be impacted by the pandemic may be eligible to apply for one of the 2 subsidies to cover part of your employee wages! Check here for details on how to apply, deadlines & more.
Get Ready to Go Back to School in September
As a new school year approaches, we want to tell newcomer parents and children that you are not alone! There are many resources available to help you to make your transition to school as smooth as possible and to learn what actions to take related to the Covid-19 pandemic and back to school.

School Settlement Workers are ready to assist newcomer families with settlement needs through a systematic outreach to all new arrivals, needs assessment and action planning, orientation and information on school and community, referrals and assistance to access other community services. Visit the YMCA of Three Rivers WR website for more information.

The WRDSB welcomes refugee families into their schools. Visit its website to check a variety of programs available and supports in place to help them integrate into the school system: English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, Classroom teachers, School Settlement Workers and more.

The Welcome Centre introduces newcomer families to the community in a caring and professional manner. Its assessment service determines the best programming for newcomer students so they can have a good beginning in the WRDSB schools. More information on how to book an assessment here.

In this guide, compiled by Waterloo Region District School Board Psychological Services, parents and caregivers will find resources to help them support and communicate with their children in ways that help them feel calm and secure as they return to school. More resources and information to help support student mental health and wellbeing here.

The Newcomer Reception Centre is a place where students and their families who are new to Waterloo Region are welcomed into Waterloo Region’s Catholic school community. They provide information about the school system in Ontario and in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board and more. Visit their website for more information. It is translated into Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Arabic and polish.

Learn about the guidelines and health and safety measures for all public and private schools in Ontario. These rules support safe in-person learning for students and staff for the 2021-2022 school year. What we know: Students will return to daily in-person learning for the full school day (except for students registered in the remote learning program).Students and staff will be required to complete daily screening for symptoms of COVID-19. More information.
COVID-19 Information and Resources

A new study from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds that some Canadians pushing back on the idea of returning to work onsite, to the point where many would leave their job if asked. Only 27 per cent said they would prefer to return working primarily to the office.

This Washington Post article brings several testimonials from Black women who felt relieved to work from home, free from microaggressions. Now they don't want to go back. Many of them resigned after their employers asked them to return to their offices.
Other Information and Resources

The 2021 Census is almost over! Check out the webpage “Census information in many languages” where you will find the census questions translated into various third languages, as well as a fact sheet titled “The census and you” to help you better understand the importance of the census for the whole country and its residents. These resources are available in 25 non-official languages, including 13 Indigenous languages and dialects.

In the first article in a series entitled "Immigrants of Waterloo Region: Spotlight on the immigrants who have chosen to make this area their home," Waterloo Chronicle profiles Martin Basiri, an immigrant entrepreneur, who talks about his story to found ApplyBoard in 2015, becoming one of Canada’s fastest-growing tech companies.

The Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project (IRMHP) is calling settlement, social or health service providers to complete a survey to shape the content for a new leadership course for leaders of organizations serving immigrants and refugees.

Newcomers who want to improve their workplace communication skills, Conestoga College offers several courses focuses on health Sciences, Business, Human services, and technology through English language trainings geared to professional communication skills.

Watch the recording of this edition of Café New Canadians, where the audience learnt what the journey to professional success looks like for immigrant project management professionals in Canada or those aiming to take up the PMP certification here. They also heard about the highs and lows of finding, sustaining and growing a meaningful career in project management in Canada.
Covid-19 and Community Virtual Events and Webinars
Leadership Bootcamp: Creating Social Impact for youth, Aug 9-13, 1-3:30pm
The Leadership Bootcamp on Creating Social Impact, organized by Skills for Change, is an intensive program for newcomer and Canadian youth (ages 14-21) to develop leadership and social advocacy skills.
Lutherwood Webinars for Job Seekers, Aug 10 and 24, 1-2pm
Lutherwood is offering two webinars for job seekers about modern approaches to interviews and using Google for job search on August 10 and 24.
Managing the Day to Day, Aug 10, 12-1:30pm
This Carizon workshop will discuss how to build resilience and create healthy communication and more positive interactions within our families.
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Well-Being of Teens and What Teens Need to do Well, Aug 10, 6:30 pm
In this presentation, The Canadian Mental Health Association will look briefly at the impact of the pandemic on teen mental health - what we hear in the news and what the surveys are telling us. Resources, information, and ideas for parents and youth will be shared.
Canada Connect Program: YMCA Immigrant Services August Event Series, Aug 11-25, 7pm 
Join the YMCA Immigrant Services online every Wednesday evening in August to meet representatives from various Waterloo Region organizations and spend the month discovering your new home. These sessions help newcomers settle into their new communities.
Immigration and Trauma Session for Turkish Women and Youth, Aug 16, 8:30pm
Coalition of Muslim Women of KW invites Turkish women and Youth to a session on Immigration and Trauma on Monday Aug 16 at 8:30pm. Join zoom at https://bit.ly/2TlGELr
CCDI Webinar: Inclusive Marketing, Aug 26, 1-2pm Eastern
This Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion webinar will tackle the subject of diversity and inclusion in marketing. It include tips and guides on how to create the sort of inclusive marketing plans needed to deliver a successful campaign.
COVID 19 Coverage and other News










The Immigration Waterloo Region calendar has information about local programs and events for newcomers. Subscribe for a digest of events coming up in the next week or add your own events to share.
Feel free to send suggestions or relevant events/resources to include to the Immigration Waterlooo Region weekly by emailing Dan Vandebelt (dvandebelt@regionofwaterloo.ca) and Alejandra Amezquita Gutierrez (AAmez@regionofwaterloo.ca)
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