Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
June 1, 2020

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


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JUNE: Pride Month

Pride Month is an Annual LGBT Pride Celebration. Every year, during the month of June, the LGBT community celebrates and recognizes the influence LGBT people have had around the world. 
What are the experiences of LGBTQ Newcomers in Waterloo Region? See this Rainbow Community Council FactSheet.
Immigration Partnership Updates
We have added a new multilingual book for children to our COVID-19 Information and Resources webpage. It is the story of six children from different parts of the world who share their feelings and frustrations for being locked up at home. They find different ways to cope with this situation and spread a message of hope to others. 
 
The book is part of #hopeWhereAreYou, a global movement created by numerous volunteer educators around the world to develop a global resource to support children and their families impacted by the pandemic.
 

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

COVID-19 Testing

Covid-19 testing for both symptomatic and asymptomatic residents is available at four assessment and testing centres in Waterloo Region:

Grand River Hospital COVID-19 Testing Centre 
  • 835 King Street West, Kitchener 
  • Hours of operation: 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 7 days/week 
  • Self-referrals are accepted by calling 519-749-4300 ext. 6824 

St. Mary’s General Hospital COVID-19 Testing Centre 
  • 50 Bathurst Drive, Unit 11, Waterloo 
  • Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 7 days/week 
  • Self-referrals are accepted by calling 519-885-9517  

Cambridge-North Dumfries Community Assessment Centre 
  • 700 Coronation Boulevard, Cambridge (Cambridge Memorial Hospital, separate entrance)
  • Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and holidays 
  • Self-referrals are accepted by calling 519-621-2333 ext. 2689

KW4 Community Assessment Centre 
  • 50 Westmount Road North, Waterloo 
  • Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily 7 days/week 
Canadian Chamber’s Canadian Business Resilience Network

Canadian Chamber and the Government of Canada team up with accounting profession to provide free advice to small to medium-sized business, not-for-profits and charities to navigate uncertainty.
How to Help
The Unsheltered Campaign Seeking Food Donations, Reusable Water Bottles
It is a campaign led by community advocates to provide 24/7 alternatives to shelter for all unsheltered people in Waterloo Region. They are looking for healthy, prepackaged snacks, like fruits, along with jars of peanut butter and jam. Donations can be dropped off at 23 Water Street North in Kitchener on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Federal, Provincial and Local Updates
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.
Provincial
Government
To learn more about the latest information, measures and changes to legislation due to COVID-19 Outbreak across Ontario, visit the
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.

The Federal Government announced that funding delivered through the federal Gas Tax Fund will be accelerated this year to help communities as quickly as possible while respecting public health guidelines.
COVID-19 Information and Resources
COVID-19: A Guide for Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada
(Available in Frenc h )
This guide is customized for temporary foreign workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The guide's themes are related to COVID-19, including how the disease spreads and individuals at an elevated risk for developing complications related to COVID-19; what TFWs should know before coming to Canada; rights and responsibilities of TFWs during the mandatory 14-day quarantine period, including employer responsibilities and tips to maintain good mental health; and other topics.

This article draws attention to how the pandemic can affect the way we think about immigration in "western" countries. Presented by Open Democracy.

“Responses that are shaped by and respect human rights result in better outcomes in beating the pandemic, ensuring healthcare for everyone and preserving human dignity.” United Nations Report.
It is recommended that non-medical masks be used if you are unable to maintain physical distancing from others (e.g. on public transit, at the grocery store or pharmacy). Learn more about choosing a mask that works for you and how to properly put on and remove your mask.
Participate in this Region of Waterloo Museums, Region of Waterloo Archives, and Region of Waterloo Library project to write our history during the COVID-19 pandemic for future generations.
COVID-19 SURVEYS
Calling on Immigrants, Newcomer Families, Immigrant Entrepreneurs to have their say!
Its aims to help understand what Ontario families with children are experiencing in the context of COVID-19, and what services families and caregivers may need.
Statistics Canada is seeking Canadians' input on the level of trust that they have in government, in businesses, and in others, and on their views regarding the reopening of workplaces and public spaces.
The federal government has launched a consultation process to seek
feedback from businesses, not-for-profits and charities on how the
CEWS program can be adapted to help more businesses. Deadline: June 5.
Resources for Spending Time at Home during COVID-19
Explore some g ames and activities that help kids learn about birds . A fun way to spend time at home!

Stay engaged and active during the COVID-19 situation!
We Are in This Together
Nine-year-old Ruby Inch wanted to do something to help people during COVID-19. So on Saturday, the Kitchener youth run around her neighbourhood, near the Kitchener Auditorium, to help raise funds for Grand River Hospital.
Her goal for "Gallop for Grand River" was to raise $1,500 - as of Friday afternoon she is already over $2,000.
Webinars
This Tamarack Institute webinar will explore the dynamic and shifting nature of collaborative leadership and systems change through an engaging conversation where participants will share their thoughts, ideas and challenges related to leadership.
Enhancing Mental Health Supports for Newcomers: Best practices for Phone and Online Delivery of Mental Health Supports, June 3, 1:30-3pm
IRCC is hosting a session to provide information and support to service providers who are looking to shift to crisis counselling or case management services to alternate delivery formats, while respecting confidentiality. Please register by noon on Tuesday June 2 by sending an email to [email protected].
Supporting Migrant Workers to Access Agri-Food Immigration Program and Migrant Worker Organizing During COVID-19, June 9, 3:30-5pm
This workshop will provide an overview of the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Program including eligibility criteria, how to support workers who can apply, and how to support workers who are not eligible. Organized by the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change with the support of Law Foundation of Ontario.
Working with Newcomer Seniors and their Mental Health Issues, 
June 10, 1-2pm
This  Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project webinar will outline promising practices for addressing the unique settlement, integration and mental health needs of older immigrants and refugees.
Community Video Workshop. First Workshop Session: June 12, 6-8pm  
This workshop is part of the Mahalla Festival 2020 in times of the COVID-19 pandemic and is designed for migrants and newcomers, but is open to all. Participants will be trained to use smartphones to create movies focuses on the newcomers and how they are an asset and enrichment to a local community worldwide. FREE.
Free Virtual 10-Week Pre-Employment & Life Skills Program for Women, starting June 29
This YWCA Cambridge program will cover how to re-enter the workforce with confidence, how to look for a job and how to write a resume and be ready for a job interview.
For more information, call 519-622-9960 or email [email protected].
Greater KW Chamber of Commerce (GKWCC) COVID-19 Webinars
The GKWCC continues to host FREE webinars to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic . Check out upcoming webinars as well as past webinars on adapting your brand strategy during the pandemic, supporting the mental health and wellbeing of workers during the crisis, protecting your business while supporting a remote workforce, etc.
Conestoga College is Seeking Interested Businesses for its Information Technology Business Analysis Operations (ITBAO) Program
Driven by the COVID-19 crisis, many companies are rapidly shifting towards new business models. Technology solutions and revised business operations are going to play a critical role in the transformations taking place. The ITBAO program is a post-degree 4 semester program for information technology and other professionals seeking to become IT Business Analysts. More information with David Pietro at [email protected] by Friday June 5th, 2020.
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 ( [email protected] ) and Alejandra Amezquita Gutierrez ( [email protected] )
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