Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
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It's been just two weeks since we were last moved to speak against hate. Last week, a mosque in Cambridge was vandalised in an act of hate. Our Muslim friends, neighbours and colleagues do not feel and are not safe in our communities.
The Immigration Partnership rejects hate. We stand in solidarity and support with the Baitul Kareem community and Muslims across Waterloo Region. Hate is everyone's problem. It is present in our communities, workspaces, schools and neighbourhoods.
This is for all of us to solve.
We believe in a community that is welcoming of all and where everyone belongs!
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Immigration Partnership Updates |
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WANTED – Recruiting for Three New Members of the Immigration Partnership Council
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The Immigration Partnership Council is currently recruiting for three new volunteer members, focused on leaders with involvement in business, housing development, legal services, human rights and equity. The Immigration Partnership Council provides strategic leadership to the Immigration Partnership, with its overall objective being to promote shared awareness and leadership, and create enabling environments for collective action. The Council strives for at least one third of members being immigrants, and encourages applications from racially diverse representatives from multiple sectors, urban and rural regional communities, immigrant groups and differing opinions in Waterloo Region.
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LAST CALL: Today is the Deadline for Waterloo Region Employers to Apply for an Information Interview on Accessing Immigrant Talent
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Local business owners, managers and Human Resources professionals in Waterloo Region are invited to participate in a short information interview with World Education Services and Immigration Partnership about the recruitment, hiring and retention of immigrants.
We would like to hear from the manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, retail, warehousing, construction, automation, technology, finance, administration and healthcare sectors. We are particularly interested in small and medium sized businesses/organizations to participate.
Through the interviews, we will collect information to plan a workshop this fall to help employers have better access and connections to immigrant talent and visa versa. Your insights will help build responsive resources for our community. If you are interested, please contact Nora Whittington no later than TODAY, July 19, 11:59pm, at [email protected], or share this information with your networks.
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Nelson Chukwuma, originally from Nigeria, is the guest of the third episode of "I'mmigrant," a podcast series developed by creative students from Conestoga College’s Bachelor of Public Relations degree program, with mentorship by Immigration Partnership staff.
Nelson moved to the region in 2012. He has started his own clothing line business of briefs and boxers called "Okwy Baroque." Nelson feels that Waterloo Region is a great place to unleash one's true potential. "If one pays close attention, this region can inspire you to create wonders," he says.
"I'mmigrant," is a three-episode podcast series featuring the journeys and struggles of three different Immigrants who have chosen Waterloo Region as their home and a place to succeed: An international student, an entrepreneur and a worker. Listen to the third episode here.
The story behind "I'mmigrant." Last week, Tara Bedard, our executive director, and Kim Hoang, one of the students who participated in this creative partnership and was herself a guest on the podcast, spoke with Craig Norris on the CBC Morning Edition radio show to talk about the series. Listen to the show here.
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Follow us on our social media platforms for more immigration events and news!
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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. New refugee arrivals have resumed 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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NEW: Conestoga and St. Louis programs LINC and ESL programs are closed during the Summer break. They will open in September for the Fall period.
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The Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre is Moving to a New Office in the Fall
The Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre is moving from downtown Kitchener to a new home at 715 Fischer-Hallman Rd., near Ottawa Street, later this year. The centre sold its downtown property before the pandemic, and has been serving its clients remotely since March 2020. More information.
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Federal, Provincial and Local Updates |
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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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COVID-19 Information and Resources |
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There is lots of changes to restrictions now that the region is in the Step 3 of the Ontario Government Roadmap to Reopen. The Roadmap to Reopen is a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health measures. Learn about what is permitted and the updated safety regulations here: Ontario.ca/reopening.
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From January to April 2021, 74% of the Black population, 87% of the Chinese population, and 90% of the Latin American population in Canada were willing to get a #vaccine or had already received at least one dose. For more information, check this Statistic Canada report.
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Other Information and Resources |
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Last week, Canada Government announced that, beginning July 26, 2021, individuals who have applied for the recently opened pathway to permanent residence will be eligible for an open work permit while awaiting the results of their application. This means that those who applied for the new programs will not have to worry about their temporary status expiring.
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Canada launches a refugee stream for human rights defenders. The new stream will include anyone facing persecution for advocating or defending human rights with a special emphasis on journalists, women and advocates for LGBTQ and two-spirit people.
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A new IRCC report, the first of its kind, finds that new Canadians give high marks to the settlement services offered to them, and see these services as crucial in setting newcomers up for success in Canada. From improving their English or French, to assisting in finding work, to helping them connect with their communities, immigrants reported that settlement services are vital to their Canadian experience.
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The South Asian Canadians Health and Social Services (SACHSS) and the Canadian College of Healthcare and Pharmaceutics (CCHAP) are pleased to announce funded upskilling programs and educational supports for the Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs) in Ontario. These programs are funded for eligible IEHPs by the Province of Ontario under Skills Development Fund. To apply, visit http://cchap.ca/sdf.
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Capital Rainbow Refugee recently launched its Queer Refugee Hearings Program (QRHP) Toolkit. A guide to prepare refugee claims based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and/or sex characteristics. Sign up for a demo on July 20, 21, 26, or in French on July 27, 28. More info at [email protected].
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The Workforce Planning Board of waterloo Wellington Dufferin reported that manufacturing and utilities was the top job posted in June of 2021 according to the FindYourJob.ca monthly Job Demand Report. Overall, there were 14,845 jobs posted last month across Waterloo Wellington Dufferin. That's the highest one month total since the launch of FindYourJob.ca in April 2020. The previous high came in March of 2021 when the site recorded 12,289 postings.
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This COVID-19 Inventory Tool on CLEO Connect provides an overview of key, up-to-date resources and services related to employment, income benefits, and housing in Ontario to help community workers support their clients during the pandemic.
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Covid-19 and Community Virtual Events and Webinars |
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African, Caribbean & Black-Identifying: Women's Wellness circle, Sessions start in August. |
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African Community Wellness Initiative, KW Counselling Services, KW Community Foundation and Bell Let's talk invited ACBi Women to a conversation circle on preventing intimate partner violence in our communities. Limited space available. To register, please email at [email protected].
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Summer English Conversation Circle, July 20-Aug 3 |
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Join the Summer English Conversation Circle, hosted by YMCA of Three Rivers Immigrant Services, where newcomers develop their language skills and build confidence in their language abilities. An opportunity to build meaningful connections!
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Canada’s Immigrant Determinant System and the Experience of the Economic Newcomer. July 21, 1pm |
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The National Newcomer Navigation Network invites newcomer-serving professionals in health and settlement sectors to attend this webinar that will answer questions like What is Canada’s determination system in accepting newcomers?; how does acceptance of an economic newcomer differ from temporary foreign workers, international students, and the various types of refugees and asylum seekers?; and more.
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Newcomers Killing it in Tech sales, July 28, 5pm |
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Newcomer interested in tech sales are invited to join Scale Without Borders on July 28 to hear from immigrant leaders in tech sales to have an authentic exchange about their journeys along with a curated group of fellow newcomers in tech. Spots are limited! |
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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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