Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
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Immigration Partnership News |
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Last Days to Register for the January 12 Community Presentation of the
2021 Immigrant Survey Findings
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Immigration Partnership invites community members to a virtual presentation of the 2021 Immigrant Survey results this Wednesday January 12 at 5pm. We will discuss about what the results mean for ongoing work to build a better community for everyone in Waterloo Region. Register now here.
On January 19, we will also host a presentation for researchers and others that will focus on the methodology of the Survey and insights gained on conducting survey research with diverse groups of immigrants. Registration.
Read the 2021 Immigrant Survey Summary Report here.
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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 [email protected] if you require an interpreter.
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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 [email protected].
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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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The Compass Refugee Centre (formerly Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Supports) is remotely serving refugee claimants. Hearings and other processes have begun again.
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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 [email protected].
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St. Louis LINC and ESL. All St. Louis programming is online for the length of the school closure.
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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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On January 12, the Region of Waterloo is hosting a Co-Design Session to develop a Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan. The plan seeks to be community-led, actively address racism and hate, and centre those who are most unwell and unsafe in Waterloo Region.
Everyone is invited to participate in this session. This is a great opportunity for immigrants across the region to be part of creating a region-wide plan that helps create a community where everyone thrives, and no one is left behind.
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The Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington and Dufferin invites employers to complete the EmployerOne Survey that runs until January 31, 2022. By completing it, employers will have the opportunity to share their workforce needs, and their responses will contribute to the economic growth of our community.
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Afghan and Other Refugee Integration Updates |
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Just over 200 refugees from Afghanistan have arrived in Waterloo Region. Over 60% have moved to their first permanent home in the region. Children are being registered in school. Mennonite Central Committee has opened intake for private sponsorship groups.
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COVID-19 Information and Resources |
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The Ontario government is providing targeted relief for businesses and people impacted by the current public health measures. As part of this plan, the government is introducing a $10,000 grant for eligible businesses that are subject to closures under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen and is providing additional electricity-rate relief for businesses, as well as workers and families spending more time at home.
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Other Information and Resources |
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A new study from the York University, Osgoode Hall Law School and Ryerson University shows that Asylum seekers arriving in Canada face significant barriers to justice. The report identified two major factors affecting the access to justice for claimants: the amount of legal aid available to them and the quality of their legal representation.
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Non-profit or charity organizations with an anti-racism project or event that requires funding are invited to apply for the Canadian Race Relations Foundation's National Anti-Racism Fund. It is a $3M fund to be disbursed over two years to help charities and non-profit organizations working to eliminate racism across Canada. Application deadline: January 28, 2022.
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Immploy has developed a package with useful resources for employers looking to attract diverse talent, such as inclusive recruitment strategies, virtual roundtables, proactive hiring practices and more.
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Virtual Events and Webinars |
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YMCA Winter Programs for Newcomers |
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The YMCA of Three Rivers- Immigrant Services is offering its Winter programming which includes the Computer Literacy Program, Citizenship Support Group, Online Conversations in English and French, Healthy Women Together, Investing in Women's Futures, and more. For more information, please email at: [email protected]. |
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This Kitchener Public Library program will take place via zoom and is designed for newcomers to practice their English skills in a small group setting with a trained volunteer. This virtual program requires registration, an email address, and access to a laptop, tablet, or mobile device. Interested call 519 743 0271 ex. 216 or email [email protected]. |
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fundamentals, Jan 11, 1-2pm EST |
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This is an introductory level webinar covering the basics of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace hosted by The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI). This webinar is being offered for free. |
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Employer Knowledge Exchange, Jan 12, 9:30am |
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Join fellow employers at the next Employer Knowledge Exchange by Immploy to discuss: Employers' experiences integrating immigrants & refugees into the workplace; Challenges and barriers: adn successes and best practices.This peer-to-peer learning format provides a friendly, informal space to discuss your experiences, ask questions and learn from others across the Southwestern Ontario region. |
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Best Practices in Recruiting & Retaining Newcomers in Green Jobs, Jan 12, 1-3pm |
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Join PLT Canada and the Immigrant Employment Councils of Canada‘s free Best Practices in Recruiting & Retaining Newcomers in Green Jobs webinar to discover how employers and immigrant-serving organizations can support each other and build a diverse and resilient Green Jobs workforce.
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Lunch and Learn with the Coalition of Muslim Women: Gendered Islamophobia, Jan 21, 12-1pm |
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Coalition of Muslim Women and Schneider Haus National Historic Site invite you to learn about the roots, manifestations and impact of gendered Islamophobia while developing a framework to countering gendered Islamophobia individually and collectively. |
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COMPASS Refugee Centre: 2021 Annual General Meeting, Jan 22, 10am |
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COMPASS Refugee Centre invites community members to its 34th Annual General Meeting, under the theme: "Unstoppable" to give their input to its vision of a Collaborative Refugee Hub.
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Let's Talk Newcomer Youth Winter 2022, Wednesdays, Feb 9-March 30, 6-7pm |
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Let's Talk is a program hosted by KW Multicultural Centre and Waterloo Public Library that helps newcomer youth, ages 14-21, explores their career goals and community through the arts such as drawing, video, music, poetry, and more! Also, participants will gain volunteer hours, win prizes, meet new people, practice English, meet with career mentors and have fun!
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COVID 19 Coverage and other News |
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Feel free to send suggestions or relevant events/resources to include to the Immigration Waterlooo Region weekly by emailing Dan Vandebelt ([email protected]) and Alejandra Amezquita Gutierrez ([email protected])
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