Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
September 27, 2021
Immigration Partnership Updates
Manufacturing (MFG) Day Goes Virtual for the Second Year 
Calling all Immigrant Job Seekers! Meet local manufacturers who will tell you the benefits of working in this rewarding industry!

The Immigration Partnership has partnered with the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin and partners to bring the Manufacturing Day event online once again this year, on Friday, October 1.

Find out what manufacturing careers are really all about. The event seeks to promote manufacturing careers and dismantle myths about this sector. Through virtual tours, participants will meet local manufacturers and employees who share their experience and what it takes to succeed in this industry.

Virtual tours can be viewed in the language of the participants' choice. To watch the tour videos with subtitles in different languages, please follow the steps below:

  1. Click the tour link
  2. When the YouTube video begins, click the "Setting" icon at the bottom right of the clip
  3. Select "Subtitles/CC" -make sure the "English (auto-generated)" function is activated
  4. Select "Auto-translate"
  5. Select your preferred language

Visit the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin website to watch the MFG Day virtual tours and for more information
How to Donate to Help Refugees Arriving in Our Region
Afghan and other refugees are arriving in Waterloo Region on a regular basis. Community members can support Afghan and other refugees through the Immigration Partnership Fund for Immigrant and Refugee Initiatives. The fund was activated as a collective effort to provide residents with a way to assist newcomers in situation of displacement arriving in our region. Those seeking to donate, click here. For more information on other ways to help support the resettlement of Afghan and other refugees, visit www.immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/afghanresettlement. 
How Students Can Help: A Discussion with Small Businesses
The next Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce's Manulife Business Success Series taking place this Wednesday, Sept 29, will bring small business owners to share how they worked with students and how the students were able to support their business. There will be a Q&A session where participants can ask how they can explore working with a student to support their business. Register here.
Follow us on our social media platforms for more immigration events and news!
Community Partner Highlights 
Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open
 First Cambridge Newcomer Connections Virtual Conference, October 1 and 2
In partnership with Kinbridge Community Association and Idea Exchange, the City of Cambridge will host the first Cambridge Newcomer Connections virtual conference October 1-2. The two-day free conference will offer newcomers in Cambridge a platform to connect with one another and available services. Registration is required for each session. The event will be facilitated in English and an interpreter can be requested during registration.
Have Your Say in the Region of Waterloo’s Budget for 2022
Whether you are new or not to Waterloo Region, you are invited to participate in the 2022 Plan and Budget to give your feedback about Regional programs and services. The survey is open until Thursday, October 21. Information collected will be shared with Regional Council to help them decide on how money will be spent on services for our community. Community members are also invited to tune in or attend a Budget Committee meeting on Monday, Nov. 1 or Monday, Nov. 22.

YMCA of Three Rivers Immigrant Services is Looking for Mentors to
Help Professional Newcomers
YMCA of Three Rivers Immigrant Services is currently looking for mentors to join its Mentorship Program which is designed for internationally trained professionals (ITPs) who have been in Canada for less than 3 years and have not yet worked in their field of expertise. Mentors with experience in the following professional fields are currently sought: Radiologist, Immigration Consultant, Publishing, Librarian, Journalist, Digital Marketing, Emergency and Disaster Relief Management.

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.

This issue contains information on Waterloo Region vaccination milestones, eligibility criteria for third dose, where to get vaccinated, proof of vaccination requirements and more.
Provincial
Government
To learn more about the latest information, measures and changes to legislation due to COVID-19 Outbreak across Ontario, visit the

With public health and health care indicators stable and proof of vaccination now in effect, the government, based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is cautiously easing capacity limits for select indoor and outdoor settings where proof of vaccination is required.
COVID-19 Information and Resources
This week, the Waterloo Region Vaccine Distribution Task Force is bringing COVID-19 vaccine to residents in the community living close to Cambridge Centre Mall, Churchill Park, Forest Height Community Centre, North Dumfries Community Complex, Victoria Hills Community Centre, Waterloo Christian Reformed Church and WT Townshend Public School. Anyone born in 2009 or earlier can take Pfizer. No appointment needed.

There are translated promotional materials available in Portuguese, Spanish, Punjabi, Arabic, Mandarin and Persian. Access them here.

Ontario's COVID-19 vaccine certificate system went into effect last Wednesday. Information is available here on how to access a copy of vaccine receipts for individuals who have a green photo health card, red and white health card or for those who do not have one. Region of Waterloo library branches have set up stations throughout the region to print vaccine receipts for those who don’t have home printers.
Other Information and Resources

Waterloo Region members are invited to the Healing of the Seven Generations 's community walk on National Truth and Reconciliation Day, Sept 30, at 10am from 300 Frederick St in Kitchener to spread awareness of and reflect on the tragedies experienced by Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island as a result of the country’s former residential school system.

On sept 25, we celebrate the Franco Ontario Day to highlight the outstanding contributions of the Ontario's francophone community to the social, economic and cultural life of all Canadians. Learn about the Francophone heritage and development in Ontario here.

The Government of Ontario is inviting nominations for the 2022 Ontario Francophonie Awards. The awards recognize the best of Ontario’s French-speaking community, including thought-leaders, entrepreneurs, volunteers, community workers, and changemakers. See details here to apply.

Last week, another astonishing immigrant entrepreneur was featured in a new issue of Immigrants of Waterloo Region titled “Meet the Kitchener founder who’s been breaking multiple glass ceilings.”  Atefeh Zarabadi, founder of AiimSense told us about her challenges as a newcomer, her success as an entrepreneur and her advice for others like her that have chosen Waterloo region as their home.

This edition's highlights include: Responses to common questions from Groups of Five, information on our webinar series on settlement services by region, which continues with sessions for the Metro Vancouver Area, Calgary and more; and the details of our monthly webinar series, which will be delivered in French in October!
Virtual Events and Webinars
Writing Successful Web Content, Sept 28, 2:30-4pm
This webinar by The Ontario Grants Webinar Series will help participants write better content for their website that will appeal to their target audience, as well as search engines such as Google.
Hiring, Discrimination and Newcomer Resilience, Sept 30, 12:15-1:30pm
Join Building Migrant Resilience in Cities for an exciting conversation about hiring, discrimination and newcomer resilience featuring short presentations followed by audience discussion. For more information, email at [email protected].
NOUVELLE série de webinaires sur le parrainage de réfugiés: octobre 2021
La série de webinaires du PFPR sera offerte 3 fois par année fiscale. Elle est composée de 6 webinaires. Vous pouvez vous inscrire à chacun des 6 webinaires ou à quelques-uns seulement, selon vos intérêts et vos besoins. L’objectif de cette série de webinaires est de présenter de façon détaillée le cycle complet du parrainage d’un réfugié.
Let's Talk Newcomer Youth Fall 2021, Oct 13-Dec 1, Wednesday, 6pm
A library Settlement Partnership program that helps newcomer youth 14-21 explore their career goals and community through the arts such as drawing, video, music, poetry, and more! Also, attendees can gain volunteer hours, win prizes, meet new people, practice English, meet with career mentors and have fun!
Navigating Family Courts During the Pandemic, Oct 5, 10:30am-12pm
An expert on family law and domestic violence will join CLEO to provide practical information to answer questions about Family court and related court services. They will also talk about what legal services and supports are available to people with family law or domestic violence problems at this time. ASL interpretation will be available.
Islamic Heritage Month event with Author Uzma Jalaluddin, Oct 6, 7-8pm
Coalition of Muslim Women WR along with the Waterloo Public Library invite community members to celebrate together "The Islamic Heritage Month" with best-selling Canadian author Uzma Jalaluddin as she talks about her latest book, Hana Khan Carries On.
Small Business Success & Resilience | Celebrating Small Business Month, Oct 6, 5-6pm
In celebration of Small Business Month, ShopHERE Powered by Google is proud to announce Small Business Success & Resilience, a virtual panel discussion showcasing four inspiring Ontario entrepreneurs as they share how they’ve challenged the status quo to grow their unique businesses. 
L'expérience des nouveaux arrivants francophones| The Francophone Newcomer Experience, Oct 13, 1pm
The National Newcomer Navigation Network has open registration for its webinar "L'expérience des nouveaux arrivants francophones| The Francophone Newcomer Experience," that will be presented on Oct 13 at 1pm. This panel discussion will review the opportunities and difficulties faced by francophone newcomers.
COVID 19 Coverage and other News
Your Voice Against Racism: Abiha Syed Waterloo Chronicle, Sept 22, 2021













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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