Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
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Immigration Partnership News |
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Accessing Immigrant Talent and Post-Secondary Students Webinars for Employers |
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Immigration Partnership, partners and other local immigration partnerships across Southwestern Ontario are hosting two virtual events this week to answer questions and help employers diversify their workforce by attracting immigrant talent and post-secondary students.
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March 2: Accessing Student Talent: A Discussion with Waterloo Region's Post Secondary Schools
Immigration Partnership is pleased to partner with the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce to present the next of its Manulife Business Success Series webinars. This session features representatives from Conestoga College, the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University to learn more about the different ways that businesses and not-for-profit organizations can work with students, as well as the benefits of engaging in work-integrated learning. Free registration here.
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March 3: "Pathways to Hiring Immigrants" Webinar
We together with other local immigration partnerships across Southwestern Ontario and Immploy are hosting a second "Pathways to Hiring Immigrants" webinar this Thursday for area employers seeking to hire immigrants. The event consists of virtual presentations and panel discussions with representatives from the federal and provincial governments and an immigration lawyer, who will talk about how to navigate immigration programs and processes.
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March 9: Global Skills Conference for Internationally Trained Professionals: Making Digital Connections
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Immigration Partnership encourages internationally trained professionals to join the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre for its 14th Annual Global Skills Conference (GSC) on March 9. The theme of this year’s conference is "Making Digital Connections" where participants will look at how to market themselves and make meaningful career connections in the digital age.
Sessions include:
- Networking with LinkedIn
- How to land a new career
- Discussion panels featuring 3 of the most in demand Sectors in our area
- New this year: Custom Networking Opportunities using PheedLoop's very own match software to assist you in making new connections with other ITP’s, Ambassadors, Speakers and other organizations in the KW area.
More information on date schedule, speaker bios and exciting contests will be published soon at the Global Skills Conference website. This half- day conference only occurs once a year and is free. Register here. Deadline: March 8. Space is limited.
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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) and YMCA Immigrant Services are remotely serving newcomers across Waterloo Region.
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The YMCA language assessment centre is doing online language assessments. New clients can call to book an appointment. YMCA school settlement workers are available and continue to serve clients remotely.
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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 remotely serving government-assisted refugees. Refugee arrivals are ongoing in Waterloo Region.
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COMPASS Refugee Centre (formerly MCRS) is remotely serving refugee claimants 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. Mode of delivery is stated on each program areas’ webpages. It is possible that the mode of delivery for any program may change during the course of the year. Visit website for updates.
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Conestoga LINC language classes. Due to COVID-19, all classes are currently being held on Zoom and through emailed practice activities.
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Nominations for the City of Kitchener's 2022 Senior of the Year Award Are Open
The City of Kitchener is currently accepting nominations for the 2022 Senior of the Year Award. Community members are encouraged to nominate Kitchener residents aged 65+ who are helping to make our community a better place for others, such as helpful neighbours or dedicated volunteers. Deadline: March 31st! For award details and event updates, go to www.kitchener.ca/senioroftheyear or call Carolyn Cormier 519-741-2200 x 5345.
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Stakeholder Consultation for the 2022-2023 Waterloo Catholic District School Board Budget
The Waterloo Catholic District School Board is seeking to gain feedback from staff, students, parents/guardians and community members through a brief budget survey to assist with its 2022-2023 budget development. Survey is anonymous and voluntary.
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Afghan and Other Refugee Integration Updates |
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As of 15 Feb 2022, Canada welcomed 7,885 refugees from Afghanistan, including 255 government assisted and privately sponsored refugees reported to have settled in Waterloo Region.
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COVID-19 Information and Resources |
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Region of Waterloo Public Health is offering free Covid-19 vaccination for adults and children on Monday, March 14, 1:45-8:15 pm through its Walk-in Community Clinic at the Victoria Hills Community Centre. Nurse staff will be on site to answer questions about vaccination. Information Available in Amharic, Arabic, Spanish and Tigrinya here.
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New data from the Canadian Social Survey (CSS) says that among Canadians working from home all of the time, satisfaction with the amount of time spent as a family and satisfaction with work-life balance was higher than among those who commuted to a workplace outside of the home. More findings here.
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Other Information and Resources |
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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)has developed a package of new immigration measures to support those affected by the situation in Ukraine. In addition, IRCC will issue open work permits to Ukrainian visitors, workers and students who are currently in Canada and cannot go home, so they can stay longer if they wish.
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The International Journal for Equity in Health presents the findings of a scoping literature review on promoting the health of refugee women. These findings suggest that improved communication and education about the unique needs and concerns of refugee women through an integrated, multi-system approach is necessary to improve their health outcomes.
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This webinar recording from the Immigrant and Refugee mental Health Project talks about how four organizations built a national strategy to develop a shared base of knowledge between the settlement and anti-violence sectors. By building on current expertise, knowledge and resources in the anti-violence and settlement sectors, this coordinated effort recognizes the reality that newcomers and refugees continue to experience structural barriers to accessing support.
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Virtual Events and Webinars |
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Refugee Sponsorship Training Program Monthly Webinar Series, March 2-30 |
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The series consists of 6 live interactive webinars covering various stages in the PSR program from understanding the eligibility criteria for sponsors and applicants, to preparing a successful application, welcoming newcomers and concluding a sponsorship period. |
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March Break Programs with Waterloo Public Library |
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Family Language and Learning Program |
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YMCA of Three Rivers-Immigrant Services is hosting this program to help newcomer families practice their English and get homework assistance for children. Spots are limited. For more information please contact: donna.mozaffarian@ytr.ymca.ca. |
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YMCA of Three Rivers Camps in March |
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Registration is now open for the following camps:
Camp Wabanaki (1 and 2 week sessions, Spring cabin rentals)
Camp Ki-Wa-Y (1 week sessions, Cabin Rentals, March Break camp)
Camp Belwood (1 week sessions)
Day Camps (multiple locations)
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Let's Talk Newcomer Youth Winter 2022, Wednesdays, until March 30, 6-7pm |
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Let's Talk is a newcomer youth program offered by KW Multicultural Centre and Waterloo Public Library that helps newcomers (14-21) explore their career goals and community through the arts such as drawing, video, music, poetry, and more! Also, participants can gain volunteer hours, win prizes, meet new people, practice English, meet with career mentors and have fun. |
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Learn How To Build an Antiracist Lens at Work, March 3, 12-1pm |
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Selam Debs, a Black Ethiopian queer anti-racism educator, an anti-oppression coach and a social justice advocate, is offering a free anti-racism Workshop about how to build an antiracist lens at work. In this workshop, participants will understand racism in 'Canada', learn how to hold anti-racist conversations at work and at home and lhow to become an accomplice. |
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Permanent Resident/Express Entry Info Session, March 15, 11am |
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Join KW Multicultural Centre for a free online orientation session to learn more about how to become a permanent resident through the Express Entry program. To register, please contact: Juan Castillo 226-747-7524 juan@kwmulticultural.ca or Bojana Bogdanovic. 519 505 2445 bojana@kwmulticultural.ca. Link to the online session will be provided after registration. |
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COVID 19 Coverage and other News |
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