Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
July 06, 2020

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


Immigration Partnership Updates

"Evidence from the case of Canada strongly supports that immigration may be one of the major determinants to the successful growth of Canada’s tourism." Read this article from Ryerson University and Tourism HR Canada for more conclusions from this research.
Participate in the #KeepFamiliesSafe campaign and help flatten the curve of family violence
Community Service Updates  
Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open

  • The KW Multicultural Centre (KWMC) and YMCA Immigrant Services are remotely serving newcomers across Waterloo Region. 
  • New: The YMCA language assessment centre is now doing online language assessments. New clients can call to book an appointment.
  • 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. 
  • Check the St. Louis website for updates for Fall St. Louis LINC classes. St. Louis LINC offices will reopen on Tuesday, August 31, 2020 at 8:30 am. You can reach the office at: 519-745-1201, ext 224, Main Campus; ext 400, Highland Campus.
DART Virtual Workshop for People Who Work with Victims of Domestic Violence

DART Educational Series in partnership with the Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Treatment Centre offer a virtual workshop on emergency and follow up care for treating domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking victims on July 14, 2pm.
Skills for Change: Newcomer Entrepreneurship Hub

The Newcomer Entrepreneurship Hub helps newcomers to successfully establish a business and/or obtain employment. It is a FREE program and is funded by Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada. Due to the COVID-19 situation, the organizers are currently providing modified virtual services through phone calls, emails, and online video.
Free Design and Marketing Work for Non-Profit Organizations

Capacity Canada, in partnership with Intertek Catalyst, Conestoga College, George Brown College, HIM&HER, Manulife, and creative community volunteers is calling on non-profit organizations to apply for Creative Day for Social Good (CD4SG) event to access free design and marketing work. Deadline: September 4, 2020.

Youth Impact Survey Open in Waterloo Region

The Children and Youth Planning Table (CYPT) is inviting children and youth who are 9 to 18 years old to fill out the Youth Impact survey to learn about their experiences. The results will be used to create a summary report with an overview of youth experiences in Waterloo Region.

Computer Access at Public Libraries

The Kitchener Public Library will begin offering computer access by reservation-only at Central Library beginning on July 6. At the Waterloo Public Library, computer and WiFi services will also resume on July 6 at the Main Library, and Tuesday, July 7, at the McCormick Branch.
How to Help
Federal, Provincial and Local Updates
COVID-19 Information and Resources
Results from this survey, conducted by Angus Reid Institute & University of Alberta, of more than 500 Canadians of Chinese ethnicity, reveal that half (50%) report being called names or insulted as a direct result of the COVID-19 outbreak, and a plurality (43%) further say they’ve been threatened or intimidated.

This webinar is an opportunity to hear about concrete strategies that can be implemented with little to no cost and will help you whether your program is currently shuttered or operating under new and changing guidelines. 
Members of the academic community bring this article that reveal the current situation of migrant workers and how a mishmash of unco-ordinated measures in the province of Ontario is affecting them.
The Migrant Worker Health Expert Working Group (MWHEWG) prepared some recommendations to address the needs of migrant agricultural workers (MAWs) in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How can we build resilience to plan ahead for future times of crisis? This Harvard University article points to three ways we can affect experiences and the balance of the resilience scale.
Spending Time at Home during COVID-19
On July 7 at 11am, the Region of Waterloo Library brings Splash’N Boots to your home through their Facebook page to enjoy live shows, original music and television content for children and families.
Virtual Events and Webinars
International Student Connect Webinars
This series of webinars provide customized information and settlement resources geared towards the needs of international students and their accompanying family members. Some topics include Immigration Pathways, Renewing your Study Permit/Work and Applying for your Post Graduate Work Permit. FREE.
The purpose of these Community Family Services of Ontario online series of English conversation classes is to provide practical knowledge for senior immigrants who have limited English ability, to learn to communicate with medical staff in English and to build their confidence and independence.
Importance of Migrant Workers, Challenges and Options During Covid-19 Webinar, July 8, 10:30am
This FCJ Refugee Centre info session will provide an overview of the situation that migrant workers are facing, and how the pandemic increased their precarious conditions. Also, it will talk about resources and the Migrant Workers Program. This presentation is in Spanish.
COVID-19 Support for Seniors Webinar, July 8, 10am, and July 22, 11am
In this presentation, attendees will find information about financial programs and other services offered by Service Canada for Seniors and their caregivers. The session will also provide general information about Service Canada that may be of interest to Seniors.
Virtual Program: Parenting in a New Society, July 8 to August 31
This Our Place virtual program invites newcomer parents to connect over Zoom and Facebook with other parents from different countries to build relationships during this challenging period of physical distancing, and to learn about life in Canada, how and where to find support and how to feel at home when they are far away from friends & relatives.
The content of this Prepare for Canada webinar consists of several topics: changes in the Canadian job market, Covid-19 impacts on some sectors and professions, Canadian job market resources and services, and more.
MNP Networking Breakfast Series: Speed Networking, July 9, 8:30-10am
Newcomers looking to expand their professional network may be interested in the upcoming Greater KW Chamber of Commerce virtual event: "Speed Networking," designed to make plenty of connections in just an hour.
RAP-PSR Promising Practices in Supporting Resettlement during COVID-19 Webinar, July 13, 3-4:30pm
A virtual conversation with panelists from COSTI, Reception House and ISS of B.C. for the sponsorship community in order to share key learnings about planning for and receiving GARs during the pandemic and to explore best practices the PSR community could adapt as they plan to welcome PSRs. For questions, email mball@ocasi.org.
COVID-19 Support Services for Newcomers Webinar, July 15, 10am and July 29, 11am
Service Canada is offering this webinar to review types of Employment Insurance benefits, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, the actions required for maintaining benefits, earnings while on claim and other resources to support return to work endeavours.
COVID 19 Coverage and other 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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