Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
May 4, 2020

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


Subscribe to receive updates and email  [email protected]
with content suggestions.

Immigration Partnership Updates  
Mental Health During COVID-19
Multilingual Videos
The results of a recent report from Statistics Canada show that Canadians' overall mental health has declined during the coronavirus period. Women and youth in particular report poorer mental health compared to men. Speaking of newcomers and refugees, their unique situation can make them more vulnerable to the effects of the crisis. The social distancing measures have reduced their chances of making connections and finding work which generates stress and anxiety.

This issue of the Weekly has put together a snapshot of resources and tools to help immigrants and refugees manage the stress levels and mood swings, as well as to help service providers better address the mental health needs of their clients during the crisis.

The Ontario government h as expanded its online and virtual mental health tools , including BounceBack . It has developed a series of videos that contain practical tips on managing  your mood, sleeping better, building confidence, increasing activity, problem solving and healthy living. Videos are available in English, French, Arabic, Farsi, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Punjabi.

We have also profiled the food banks available in Waterloo region that are working harder to provide community members, who have seen their incomes substantially reduced due to the pandemic, with food, meal delivery, hamper programs and tips for accessing affordable food.


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

The Food Bank of Waterloo Region

The Food Bank of Waterloo Region works collaboratively with member agencies and community food programs to help provide food for the less fortunate. Community members looking for food assistance during COVID-19, please call 519 743 5576.
Vital Service Programs of the Community Food Assistance Network

The Community Food Assistance Network continues working with community programs and agency partners to help ensure continued service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have a list of vital service programs such as Home Meal Delivery During the pandemic, Hamper Programs in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Townships, Community Meal programs, Shelter and Residential Services and Food Banks. 
The Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank

The Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank offers food and support to people and community groups in need within Cambridge and North Dumfries. They have a variety of services such as supports for food security (The Community Pantry-Emergency Food Support, the Food Co-operative, Mike’s Lunch, Community Food Partners, Seed Share), supports for people and families (Street Outreach, Clothing Room, Spiritual Care, Peer Program), Children’s mental Wellness Hub (Clinical Counselling, Grandparent’s Group, and others) and Community Health Partners.

Newcomer Mental Health Program: A Promise of Partnership

The Newcomer Mental Health Program is a Carizon Family and Community Services program funded by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They provide mental health support to newcomers and refugees to increase their understanding of mental health and well-being, increase their direct access to community services, and to increase the capacity of community partners and the larger community to meet needs of newcomers in our region. Carizon’s Promise of Partnership is currently offering virtual support both individual and group and accepting referrals. To make a referral, email [email protected] or call 519.743-6333.

Waterloo Neighbourhoods

We're all neighbours. Now more than ever, sharing information and having points of connection is important. Neighbours helping Neighbours is currently a weekly newsletter from the City of Waterloo neighbourhoods team, with a focus on good news stories, important community updates and an ever growing list of support resources. If you would like to receive this Waterloo Neighbourhoods e-newsletter, you can subscribe online .

Family Outreach Program-House of Friendship in Community Service Updates

Family Outreach Program is remotely serving families across Waterloo Region (Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Wilmot, Wellesley, Woolwich, and Ayr-North Dumfries).
Program eligibility: Families with children 17 years of age and under who live in Waterloo Region and are experiencing low income. Contact: 519-742-8327 x 240 or [email protected]

How to Help
Please consider donating to the Food Bank of waterloo Region. Your generosity makes more of a difference than you may ever know.
One way to help is to volunteer! Check out the latest resources related to volunteering during this pandemic brought by the Volunteer Action Centre. Also see a list of virtual positions that meet social distancing measures.
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.


The Region, area municipalities and local community partners have been working together to stop the spread of the virus. This work is being done through a Regional Pandemic Control Group which coordinates the efforts and actions of five other sector control groups which are described weekly in the Coordinate COVID-19 Response Newsletter. See Coordinated COVID19 Response Newsletter - May 1, 2020 for the latest updates.
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.
COVID-19 Information and Resources
Q&A on COVID-19 and Mental Health
Play this video from the World Health Organization to learn how social stigma and discrimination affect the mental health of some Canadians.

In search of data on how the COVID-19 is affecting people’ mental health, Statistics Canada is asking Canadians to complete a survey to help determine the needs of the population and implement appropriate support measures during and after the pandemic. Deadline: May 11.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project have compiled a list of resources on mental health and well-being and equity-informed responses to COVID-19, t hat may be of use to settlement service providers.
Check out the past "Ask an Expert" online session hosted by the Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project last April 8 on how to support the mental health of immigrants and refugees during COVID 19.

Visit the new site of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) for information and suggestions about how to deal with stress, anxiety, isolation,quarantine, stigma and prejudices. It also has tools that screen for symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Wellness Together Canada offers the following at no cost to Canadians: Wellness self-assessment and tracking; self guided courses, apps, and other resources; group coaching and community of support; and counselling by text or phone.

This program is fully available to help people manage their symptoms of low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, resulting from or enhanced by the pandemic. To make a referral, complete the referral form online . It also has valuable information for c are providers to help their clients manage stress and anxiety during COVID-19.

Children and Youth Planning Table   brings COVID-19 resources page for children, youth and families on basic needs, mental and emotional health, safety, fun, learning and more. Family Compass Waterloo Region is also a helpful resource for parents and caregivers.
House of Friendship is providing regular service with its Emergency Food Hamper program open Monday to Friday, from 9:30am to 4 pm. Note – if you are ill or have been asked to self-isolate, please call ahead to 519-742-8327 x 2.
In times of COVID-19, many community members have seen their incomes reduced. UnlockFood.ca brings some budget-friendly information sheets and recipes with practical tips on saving money at the grocery store and healthy meal ideas that make the most of each ingredient.
The Region of Waterloo has a section on its website with information on food banks, hampers and meal programs to help community members meet their basic needs, as well as other resources such as Healthy Eating on a Budget and Best Buys: Using Canada's food guide s.
Cultural Community Song Project Survey

The results of this survey targeting the Turkish and Syrian residents of the Region of Waterloo will help musicians from cultural groups create songs that raise awareness of the Region's growing diversity and celebrate the richness that brings to our community! Survey is available in Turkish and Arabic .
Resources for Spending Time at Home during COVID-19
Stay engaged and active during the COVID-19 situation!
We Are in This Together
Food banks are one of the many agencies struggling during the pandemic. The Kitchener Rangers are helping to raise some much needed funds for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.
Children of employees in the Department of Health central office wrote cards for medical professionals across the province.
D’Amato Stortz came up with the idea when he received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). He says having more time and money than he’s used to inspired him to pay it forward.
Webinars
Online Foundations of Trauma Workshop, May 4 to June 14
This online workshop will provide both a conceptual framework and practical skills for assessment and interventions when working with those who have experienced a range of crisis and traumatic experiences.
Virtual Affordable Housing Cafe, May 5, 9am
During this café, participants will hear from Leadership Waterloo Region class members present their solutions, and will have an opportunity to ask questions and dive deeper into their learnings. The class will also be seeking additional information from participants on how COVID-19 has changed the realities of the affordable housing challenges we face.
Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative – COVID-19 Webinar Series, next session: Global Sponsor Summit, May 6, 3:30pm
Please join the global community of sponsors for a virtual convening to share experiences about how COVID-19 has impacted community sponsorship around the world. Sponsors from different countries will reflect on their experiences, discuss what responses they have adopted, and share ideas and best practices for continuing sponsorship support in these challenging days.
Gérer la reprise de l’activité post Covid-19, May 8, 10:30-11:30am
Le Réseau en Immigration Francophone du Centre-Sud-Ouest is hosting this webinar that will focus on preparing managers and employees of Francophone organizations for an effective resumption of activity.
Yoga for Refugees, May 14, 1-2pm EDT
“Yoga for refugees: Shifting out of survival mode and into interoception” is a webinar that will explain the key differences between a studio yoga class and TCTSY, as well as will bring a personal experience of working in a UN Refugee Camp at the Lebanon-Syrian border. By the Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project.
Le stress post-covid : comprendre et intervenir, May 15, 10:30-11:30am
Le Réseau en Immigration Francophone du Centre-Sud-Ouest is organizing this webinar that will focus on understanding the psychological issues related to Covid-19 and supporting your clients when resuming activities.
Empty Bowls Online Event in Support of The FoodBank WR, May 19, 11:30am-1pm EDT
In order to support the Food Bank of Waterloo Region especially during this global pandemic, Robert Langen Art Gallery (RLAG) is hosting Empty Bowls, an online event to raise awareness of hunger in our local community. 100% of all proceeds going directly to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region.
Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health online course
This online course is a free, self-directed training for settlement, social and health service providers across Canada. Visit t he project's website for more information. Add your name to the email list to be notified when registration opens for the Summer 2020 course offering.
In her shoes Online Program
The next YW Kitchener-Waterloo program starts on May 19 for 8 weeks. Its content is intended to help entrepreneurs with their business idea. This program is aimed at newcomer cis or trans woman or non-binary individual who is either a permanent resident, protected person, selected for permanent residency and temporary foreign workers.
The Government of Canada is calling on Asian groups across Canada to submit their artistic performances to be part of a virtual cultural appreciation video to celebrate
Asian Heritage Month.
COVID 19 Coverage: News


 
 


  How Canada is helping international students , CIC News, April 30, 2020



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] )
Like us and follow us