Immigration Waterloo Region
Weekly
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May 19, 2020
Stay home and stay healthy, Waterloo Region. We are in this together.
with content suggestions.
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Immigration Partnership Updates
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We have updated our Covid-19 information webpage with the
new Newcomer Parent Resource Series
developed by
CMAS
, an organization funded through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to support the settlement of young immigrant and refugee children.
They are available in 16 languages: English, French, Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Hungarian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Tigrigna, Turkish, Urdu and Yoruba.
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Community Service Updates
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Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open
- The KW Multicultural Centre (KWMC) and YMCA Immigrant Services are remotely serving newcomers across Waterloo Region.
- The YMCA language assessment centre is placing new clients on a wait list for service once assessments start up again.
- 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.
- In Cambridge, the YMCA is providing interpretation services (phone or videoconferencing) remotely. Languages include: Arabic, Armenian, Farsi, Persian, Dari, Pashto, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish. If you require an interpreter email interpretations@ckw.ymca.ca.
- Reception House Waterloo Region is remotely serving government-assisted refugees.
- The Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Supports is remotely serving refugee claimants.
- Sanctuary Refugee Health Centre continues to meet the health needs of refugees. Call ahead.
- Conestoga LINC classes are running remotely via Zoom/WhatsApp for any students able to join at this time.
- St Louis ESL & LINC classes are running remotely. Teachers have been connecting with their students. If students have not connected with their teacher they can call the school at 519.745.1201. LINC ext 224 or 400; ESL ext 229 or 245. Students may also email at esl.stlouis@wcdsb.ca.
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Women’s Crisis Services
Women’s Crisis Services now has a
“Let’s Talk” feature on their website
. With this tool, women can chat online directly with an outreach worker.
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Wilfrid Laurier University
Laurier will offer most courses online and virtually this fall, and will continue to work on identifying aspects of programs and activities that they can deliver in person, as aligned with public health requirements.
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University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo has announced that large classes this Fall will happen online with some in-person classes and supports.
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The House of Friendship
The House of Friendship presents its new
Virtual Counselling Services with the Addiction Services Day Treatment program
, which is offered to women from May 19 to 29 and from June 8 to 19; and to men from May 25 to June 5 and from June 15 to 26. Those interested in applying to the intensive treatment programs, please call Here 24/7, 1-844-437-3247, for assessment and referrals. They also are offering workshops and weekly support groups through Zoom.
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Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir
As all other settlement agencies or SWIS programs, Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir is remotely serving newcomers across Waterloo Region via phone, email or videoconferencing.
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Today, Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation (KWCF) and the Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation (CNDCF) announced they will be providing up to $1.07 Million to support local charities responding to COVID-19, as part of a new partnership with
Community Foundations of Canada
,
United Way Centraide Canada
and the
Canadian Red Cross
, funded through the Government of Canada’s $350 Million Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). This vast national effort aims to support vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19. KWCF and CNDCF are among the 150 local community foundations across Canada that are taking part.
Applications open between May 19, 2020 and July 14, 2020
.
Note:
You can also apply for funding through
United Way WRC
as long as it is for a different project.
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Communitech is raising money for those in urgent need during this public health crisis. The donations will go to women's shelters, homeless and charities working on mental health issues.
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Federal, Provincial and Local Updates
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“
Immigration is fundamentally about people coming together to build a stronger country, and that is an enduring value that I believe in, that I have faith in Canadians that they believe in, that we will see endure long after COVID-19 is behind us (...) So it’s vitally important that we continue to immigrate today in a manner that is safe and orderly and also to drive that future that we all believe will be underpinned by immigration as it has been in the past.”
Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
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Immigration
Measures
To learn more about other measures or changes on Immigration legislation,
visit the
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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.
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Provincial
Government
To learn more about the latest information, measures and changes to legislation due to COVID-19 Outbreak
across Ontario,
visit the
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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.
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COVID-19 Information and Resources
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While science continues to evolve, finding new and better solutions, we need to use the tools and knowledge we currently have to fight COVID-19.
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The
WES Mariam Assefa Fund
begins its efforts in Canada by providing support to the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) to provide additional assistance to immigrant-serving organizations, individuals and families impacted by the current health and economic crises.
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From April 19 to May 1, 2020, over 100,000 postsecondary students participated in an survey about how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting their academic, labour market and financial situation. The results provide a snapshot of the experiences of participating students and offer valuable insights. See
infographic.
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The
Friendly Voice Program
Provided through Carizon and the Counselling Collaborative of Waterloo Region, it is a
free telephone service
that provides wellbeing check ins for Waterloo Region residents to reduce loneliness during the pandemic. To register, please call 519-743-6333.
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This framework provided the principles the government will use to reopen businesses, services and public spaces in three stages, while maintaining the health and safety of the people of Ontario as our top priority.
Detailed List of Stage 1 Openings
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The government and health and safety associations have released more than
90 safety guidance documents
to assist employers in preventing COVID-19 in the workplace.
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To support our local labour market during this pandemic, the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin is producing a series of additional job demand reports highlighting the top employers, top occupations posted and top industries recruiting according to on-line job postings.
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Impacts of COVID-19 on Canadians – Perceptions of Safety Survey
Statistics Canada is collecting data on the impacts of COVID-19 on Canadians’ perceptions of safety, crime and violence in the communities during the pandemic. Results will be used by governments and other organizations to evaluate the need for services and assistance programs to support individuals, families, and communities during and after the pandemic.
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The Immigration Partnership joins forces with the International Organization for Migration to host the Global Migration Film Festival in Waterloo Region. The festival features documentaries and films from around the world that show the challenges and promises of migration.
Because many theaters and cinemas were closed after the WHO announced the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers have decided to bring the atmosphere of the Festival online to more people across the globe safely with a new category of ‘Online Film’.
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Resources for Spending Time at Home during COVID-19
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Stay engaged and active during the COVID-19 situation!
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The Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis Family Foundation is providing $8.5 million to Cambridge Memorial, Grand River, St. Mary's General hospitals and the South Bruce Grey Health Centre.
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More than $1 million has been raised for the frontline healthcare community through the Rogers Sports and Media
Hearts and Smiles
campaign.
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Orientation to Ontario Webinars
(several dates)
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These webinars will give you detailed
information about various settlement topics
, such as finding employment, transportation and driving, family matters, health care, education, labour market, housing, banking and credit in Ontario and many more.
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Mental Health Tips to Support Migrant Worker, May 19, 1-2pm
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Organized by the Migrant Workers Hub- AMSSA BC, this webinar will explore different strategies and resources that can help migrant workers take care of their mental health that may be affected due to isolation, lack of community connections and language barriers.
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Presented by Mentorworks, this webinar will discuss what government resources are available to support southwestern Ontario businesses, how leveraging funding can support long-term COVID-19 recovery and many more.
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Virtual Let's Talk Program for Newcomer Youth, May 21-June 25, 4-5:30pm
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Join LSP and KW Multicultural Centre for their free online Virtual Let's Talk group that seeks to help newcomers define their education goals through music, drama and visual art. For newcomer youth between the ages of 14 to 21 years old.
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Money Matters for Newcomers and New Canadians, May 27- June 17, 2-4pm (via zoom)
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ABC Life Literacy Canada and TD Canada Trust host this free financial literacy program for new immigrants and refugees. It is a course taught by trained TD Canada Trust volunteers to learn about budgeting, banking basics, credit, and borrowing, RESPs, and other ways to save.
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Waterloo Region Small Business Centre Webinars (WRSBC) (several dates)
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Small Business Recovery Outreach Program
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The City of Kitchener, in partnership with the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre, is launching a Small Business Recovery Outreach Program to support small businesses and entrepreneurs as they plan for the reopening of Ontario’s economy and begin their recovery from the impacts of COVID-19.
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Remote Help for Legal Problems, June 17, 12-1pm
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Community Legal Education Ontario
hosts a learning exchange for community and legal workers in Ontario who will share case studies, recent research, and tips to learn from each other and gather good practices to help them in the future.
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Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir Webinaires
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The Impact Of The COVID-19 In The Immigration System: Measures In The Refugee Process, May 21, 10:30am-12:30pm
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This virtual info session will explain how to navigate the immigration system and focus on the Impact of COVID-19 in the refugee process, postponement of refugee hearings and resources available. It will also explore ideas on what to do while waiting for a refugee hearing. By FCJ Refugee Centre.
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Greater Kitchener- Waterloo Chamber of Commerce (GKWCC) Webinars
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The GKWCC continues to host FREE webinars to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, 3 awesome webinars: Understanding and Supporting the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Workers During and After the COVID-19 Crisis, Adapting Your Brand Strategy During COVID-19 and Commercial Real Estate During a Pandemic.
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to promote culture and highlight the significance of its diversity as an agent of inclusion and positive change
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