Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
March 1, 2021

Stay healthy, Waterloo Region. We are in this together.

Immigration Partnership Updates
Immigration Partnership is pleased to share the 2021 list of Waterloo Region’s top languages for interpretation and translation. The 2021 list is based on data collected from eight organizations serving primarily (though not solely) newcomers, compiling the most common requests for interpretation and service in languages other than English.

There is a great need for verbal interpretation and written translation in Waterloo Region, and this list is created as a starting point for organizations to better serve our diverse population in: Arabic, Spanish, Tigrinya, Persian (Farsi/Dari), Somali, Amharic, Turkish and French. See the full list and more details on other languages requested for interpretation and services in Waterloo Region here.
Last Chance to Register for the 13th Global Skills Conference
Internationally-trained professionals are invited to register for the Virtual Global Skills Conference hosted by Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre taking place tomorrow, March 2. The theme of this year’s conference is Pathways to Success and it will include sessions focused on the current realities of online job searching and networking. The day concludes with a networking event. Deadline for registration: Today, March 1 – Space is limited 
Only Two Days Left to Register for the FindYourJob.ca Virtual Job Fair!
Immigrants looking for a job can still register for the third Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Job Fair taking place this Wednesday, March 3, at 10 am. More than 15 employers are eager to meet potential candidates to fill over 400 positions in the healthcare, manufacturing and construction sectors.
Click here to see available positions and register.
"The Future of Work: What our Current and Future Workforce Thinks" March 3 Webinar

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 Charlene Hofbauer, Executive Director of the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin, who will share the findings of preliminary research on what the current and future workforce thinks about the future of work and what that might mean for business. Free registration here.
Employer webinar - "Working with International Students: What you need to Know"
March 12

Immigration Partnership invites local employers to join peers from from across Southwestern Ontario for a virtual presentation and panel discussion on ‘Working with International Students: What you Need to Know’. Participants will discuss the benefits of a diverse workplace, study and work permit processes, and strategies for recruiting and retaining international students.

This event is brought to you by Immploy, a community project of WIL Employment Connections, King’s University College, and Local Immigration Partnerships from across Southwest Ontario including London-Middlesex, Sarnia-Lambton, Huron County, Guelph-Wellington and Waterloo Region. Registration now open!
For more details on these events and other immigration, anti-racism and community initiatives, follow us on our social media accounts!
Community Partner Updates 
Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open
How to Help
The Region of Waterloo is looking for Immunization Clinic Volunteers

The Vaccine Distribution Task Force is recruiting COVID-19 Immunization Clinic volunteers. Volunteers are needed to provide assistance to the Region of Waterloo in the delivery of COVID-19 immunization clinics in a variety of non-medical roles. Roles may include assisting as a clinic greeter, helping with client flow through the clinic, equipment/supply runners and parking lot attendants. Those interested in applying, please check the requirements here.
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.

ICYM! Watch this recording of a recent vaccine stakeholder information session organized by the Community Engagement Working Group of the Vaccine Distribution Task Force. It provides information on Covid-19 vaccines, vaccine rollout in the region, ROW Communication Toolkit, as well as looks at issues of equity and anti-racism in vaccine distribution.
Provincial
Government
To learn more about the latest information, measures and changes to legislation due to COVID-19 Outbreak across Ontario, visit the


The changes will exempt certain authorized recreational providers from their three-hour operating limit, improving access to select before and after school programs for families with school-age children.
COVID-19 Information and Resources

A group of Canadian university students across Ontario have developed multilingual infographics and videos to combat Covid-19 misinformation by making people more critical of the information they read about virus on social media and online messaging platforms.

In anticipation of the next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations beginning soon in Ontario, individuals may pre-register to receive their COVID-19 vaccination.  Region of Waterloo strongly recommend pre-registration for people in all eligible priority groups.
Other Information and Resources

"Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is eyeing a pilot program to test a matching algorithm that would make recommendations as to where a new immigrant might settle," department spokesperson Remi Lariviere told the Star in this article released on Feb 23, 2021.

This Laurier interactive workshop will provide both a conceptual framework and practical skills for assessment and interventions when working with refugees and survivors of war. These workshops have registration fees.
 
The City of Waterloo’s Arts & Culture office is hiring up to 7 artists to make outdoor artworks throughout Waterloo for Canada Day. Candidates must submit a proposal of specific pieces, previously exhibited work, or new work that connects to any or all of the event themes. Selected artists will receive a fee of $2,000 (inclusive of artist fees, supplies, etc.) and additional resources.
 
Waterloo Region Family Network is seeking community members of diverse genders, ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds to fill Director positions in its board that focuses on community needs & financial sustainability at the governance level. For more info, email sue.simpson@wrfn.info. Check also other director positions at the Volunteer Action Centre website.
Covid-19 and Community Virtual Events and Webinars
International Affairs and Canadian Migration Policy, March 2, 5:30-7pm
Join the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs for a panel discussion with some of the contributors of the 2021 edition of Canada Among Nations on International Affairs and Canadian Migration Policy, edited by Howard Duncan and Yiagadeesen (Teddy) Samy, who will provide opening and closing remarks.
211 Webinar to Improve Connections With the Community, March 2, 1-2pm
United Way Waterloo Region Communities is hosting a webinar in partnership with 211 to learn how this service can support community service providers' work and how to reach people who may need their services. 
ACB Network Health Information Session, Mar 3, 7:30-8:30pm (ET)
The ACB Network will be hosting an informative session to provide some brief updates about health initiatives happening in Waterloo Region, particularly those targeting the disproportionate impact of COVID19 on Black, racialized and low income neighbourhoods.
Healthy Women Together Program,
Mar 3-31, 11am-12pm
This program will provide weekly information workshops on a variety of topics requested by participants as well as virtual peer-to-peer support that will be moderated by YMCA staff. Resources and videos will be shared to provide daily support on staying healthy in a caring and supportive environment. To register, email at rahma.elmi@ytr.ymca.ca
Coffee Chats for Newcomer Moms and Dads, Mar 3-April 28, 11am-12pm
Idea Exchange is organizing these meetings that will include a pop-in visit by a local organization with family related resources to share. Participants will also enjoy a group activity, followed by some small group time to chat with new friends about all things parenting. 
Free Online Anti-Racism Workshop,
Mar 3, 7-8:30pm
Selam Debs, an Ethiopian anti-racism educator, an anti-oppression coach, a social justice advocate, is inviting everyone to a free online anti-racism workshop. Participants will understand racism in Canada and learn to hold anti-racism conversations at work and at home and how to become a true ally.
How to Relaunch Your Business, Mar 3, 2-3:30pm
Join Digital Main Street for an interactive Q&A that’ll give participants all the best practice tips they need to know to successfully and effectively relaunch their business, generate the most excitement with the least investment, maintain momentum and keep customers returning after their relaunch and more.
International Student Numbers, Job Experiences and Pathway to Permanent Residential, March 9, 1:30-3pm
On March 9, Building Migrant Resilience in Cities Immigration/ Immigration et résilience en milieu urbain (BMRC-IRMU) Partnership based at York  University  is hosting a webinar entitled, “Ottawa, is there a problem? International student numbers, job experiences and pathways to permanent residency.”
Reducing Barriers to Accessing Virtual Mental Health Care for Refugees and Newcomers, Mar 16, 1pm
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is hosting a panel of experts from Ontario and BC to learn about access to virtual mental health care for refugees and other newcomers to Canada, during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
In this free Tamarack Institute webinar, Brock Carlton, Tamarack Institute Vice-Chair, Lisa Helps, Mayor of Victoria, and Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of Kitchener, will explore the resilience of the community and look at examples of where communities are working toward recovery.
What Are Entry Jobs Really About? Manufacturing Edition, March 18, 4-5pm
The Workforce Planning Board has created a series of events for youth and employers to connect and myth bust some of the common misconceptions about entry-level jobs and careers that do not require post-secondary education or need short-term training only. The first session is about manufacturing.
Metropolis Conference: Migrants, Migration and Mobility: COVID-19 Response and Recovery, Mar 22-26
This Metropolis conference will examine the multiple and varied impact of the pandemic on migrants, migration and mobility as well as collective contributions to COVID-19 response and recovery.
Nutritional Health of Newcomers,
Mar 26, 1pm
National Newcomer Navigation Network is hosting a free webinar about the nutrition and health status of newcomer children as well as barriers to healthcare, limited awareness of services, language difficulties, gender and cultural concerns, and life stressors they face.
COVID 19 Coverage and other News




IRL Festival 2021 goes virtual Kitchener Today, Feb 26, 2021





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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