Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
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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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THIS THURSDAY: Civic Engagement 101. Newcomers in Politics, Panel Discussion
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On July 29 at 7pm, join the Kitchener South--Hespeler Greens for a discussion with great panelists, including Abiha Syed, Brittney Emslie and Dianne Boston Nyp from Immigration Partnership’s Belong Steering Group, on the subject of democratic engagement and political education for newcomers in our community. This session is for all newcomers in Waterloo Region. Registration is open.
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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 City of Kitchener is Calling Residents to Get Involved in Three New City Projects
Residents of all backgrounds are called upon to provide their feedback or participate in three new City projects: Completing a survey on voting methods for the 2022 municipal and school board elections, helping improve City publications and registering for the backyard homes design competition. 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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It brings information on Waterloo Region vaccination data, who can get second doses this summer, where to get the vaccine and mobile vaccination bus.
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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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As businesses enter Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopen, the renewed program will provide small businesses with $2,500 grants, technical training, and digital resources to help them reach more customers in person and online, positioning them for a stronger recovery.
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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.
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COVID-19 Information and Resources |
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Registration Required for People Who Received COVID-19 Vaccine Outside of Ontario
Residents in Waterloo Region who received one or more COVID-19 vaccine doses from outside of Ontario should register their vaccination information with the Region of Waterloo Public Health. It helps for a smooth clinic experience for future doses. It will also help the Region of Waterloo better identify how many of the population are immunized. Find the form here.
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Some local pharmacies now have the ability to offer home visits for people who may be unable to leave their home.
Pharmacists are able to offer this service because a large number of people have already been vaccinated, and that has led to fewer walk-ins and appointments.
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Other Information and Resources |
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This event is a family-friendly fundraiser held on October 2, that helps support charities who provide refuge and hope for some of the most vulnerable people in Canada. Participants will help raise funds with their favorite charity! Some non-profits organizations in Waterloo Region form part of Ride for Refugees 2021: Compass Refugee Centre / Reception House.
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The National Council of Canadian Muslims released dozens of policy recommendations to counter Islamophobia last week. Some of them are: Funding for a proposed National Support Fund for Survivors of Hate-Motivated Crimes; A federal anti-Islamophobia strategy by the end of 2021; Funding for Muslim storytelling.
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In the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council's latest episode, a guest from the Royal Bank of Canada discusses the gaps that still exist when it comes to immigrants advancing in their careers when compared to their Canadian-born counterpart sand why addressing it will benefit not just immigrants but Canadian economy as a whole.
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The Canadian Arab Institute is encouraging Arab women to participate in a mixed method research study looking at the employment barriers facing Arab women in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. Those interested, please contact [email protected].
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Covid-19 and Community Virtual Events and Webinars |
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Growing Together Trips in August, 9:30am-12:30pm |
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Kinbridge Community Association invites youth 15-29 who are new to Canada and the City of Cambridge to join the Cambridge Newcomer Outreach Program to meet new people, enjoy breakfast together, play some games and take a trip to a Cambridge destination. |
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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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English Second Language Reading Group, July 29, 11-12:30pm |
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Practice reading English with Kitchener Public Library. In this program, attendees will read and have fun discussing different English texts together. This program runs twice a month. Registration is for all 4 weeks. Suggested minimum CLB level is 5. |
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Let's Be Neighbours- Art Based Workshop for Newcomer Seniors, July 29-August 26, 4-5pm |
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This program,offered by the Kinbridge Community Association in partnership with the City of Cambridge, encourages newcomer seniors to enjoy social time while learning about including art in your life. Meet other members of the community. More information with newcomer staff at [email protected] or call 2267890469.
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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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Compassion Fatigue, Vicarious Trauma and Burnout, August 11, 1pm |
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The National Newcomer Navigation Network is offering this webinar to Service providers working with immigrants and refugees to to understand the signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and burnout, and provide prevention and intervention strategies that can be used at the individual and organizational levels. |
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The Power of Positivity, August 12,
2-3:30pm
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Join Carizon for this workshop for newcomer women who currently have refugee or protected person status. It is a free workshop on how to improve life and mental health by using the teachings of positive Psychology. More information at 519 743 6333 |
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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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