Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
May 19, 2020

Stay home and stay healthy, Waterloo Region. We are in this together.


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Immigration Partnership Updates

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.

This material will help newcomer parents who stay home with their children get through this time of lockdown. The series contains 14 parent resources on h elping children cope with stress , learning through play , c reating routines for children , l istening to and talking with kids, s haring stories with children and other interesting topics.
They are available in 16 languages: English, French, Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Hungarian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Tigrigna, Turkish, Urdu and Yoruba.

This and other useful multilingual resources and fact sheets on COVID-19 can be found at:  https://www.immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/covid19/   
Community Service Updates  
Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open

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. 
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.
University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo has announced that large classes this Fall will happen online with some in-person classes and supports.
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.

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.

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.
How to Help
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.

Federal, Provincial and Local Updates
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
COVID-19 Information and Resources
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.
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.

 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.
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.

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

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.

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.
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.

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’.
Resources for Spending Time at Home during COVID-19
Active At Home has online programming for kids and the whole family featuring programs from the Kitchener Public Library, Food Bank of Waterloo, Our Place, Sparking the Fire Dog and City of Kitchener.

Stay engaged and active during the COVID-19 situation!
We Are in This Together
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.
More than $1 million has been raised for the frontline healthcare community through the Rogers Sports and Media Hearts and Smiles campaign.
Webinars
Orientation to Ontario Webinars
(several dates)
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.
Mental Health Tips to Support Migrant Worker, May 19, 1-2pm
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.
May 19, 1-2pm
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.
Virtual Let's Talk Program for Newcomer Youth, May 21-June 25, 4-5:30pm
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.
Money Matters for Newcomers and New Canadians, May 27- June 17, 2-4pm (via zoom)
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.
Waterloo Region Small Business Centre Webinars (WRSBC) (several dates)
Small Business Recovery Outreach Program
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.
Remote Help for Legal Problems, June 17, 12-1pm
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.
Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir Webinaires
Two workshops will be offered as webinars this week by the newly IRCC funded Francophone SWIS program: Aide financière des gouvernements pendant la COVID-19 , May 19, 3:30-4:30pm, and Apprentissage à distance au Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir , May 20 , 3:30-4:30pm.
The Impact Of The COVID-19 In The Immigration System: Measures In The Refugee Process, May 21, 10:30am-12:30pm
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.
Greater Kitchener- Waterloo Chamber of Commerce (GKWCC) Webinars
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.
to promote culture and highlight the significance of its diversity as an agent of inclusion and positive change
COVID 19 Coverage: 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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