Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
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Immigration Partnership News |
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Spread the word: 2021 Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival (WRMFF)
Coming Next Week!
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Immigration Partnership and partners are delighted to announce the launch of the 2021 Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival (WRMFF) next week! The goal of WRMFF is to pave the way for greater discussion around migration and relocation, by creating safe spaces for respectful interaction and dialogues.
Everyone is invited to WRMFF! The festival will take place online and will run for 18 days starting December 1 to December 18, International Migrants Day.
In addition to showcasing a diverse spectrum of films, the festival offers post-screening conversations with filmmakers and writers, as well as Q&A sessions.
Our Partners in hosting the 2021 Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival:
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Our 2021 Newcomer Landlord Award Recipients |
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We are very pleased to announce that Narine Dat Sookram, HIP Developments and Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church are the recipients of this year’s Newcomer Landlord Award. Their names were revealed during the Region of Waterloo National Housing Day virtual celebration held this morning at 10am. These three amazing landlords have been working collaboratively with community organizations to provide innovative, flexible, and affordable housing solutions for immigrants and refugees in Waterloo region. Read their inspiring stories here.
At the ceremony, the Region of Waterloo shared its progress in realizing the Region's Vision of Building Better Futures: 2,500 homes in five years. Local organizations and community members were recognized for their outstanding work supporting the most vulnerable and ensuring they have a safe place to call home. We want to thank all of those recognized and our 2021 Newcomer Landlord Award recipients for their generosity and commitment to helping create a community where everyone thrives.
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This Thursday, Nov 25: "Immigration Information for Employers" Webinar |
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The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Immigration Partnership, is organizing an online event this Thursday, Nov 25, for employers to discuss the benefits of including immigrant talent in their workforce to meet labour market needs. Speakers from the Ryerson University's Diversity Institute, Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin and YMCA Employment Services will cover the following topics: entrepreneur immigration, immigrant talent recruitment and the role of immigration in the recovery of our economy . Register here.
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Recognizing that immigrant talent is critical to helping rebuild the economy in our region, in this WaterlooChronicle.ca column our executive director Tara Bedard offers a road map for business to fully leverage all of the talent in Waterloo Region: 1. Build a culture of anti-racist organizational change. 2. Value international education and experience. 3. Firmly embed equity and inclusion approaches in all hiring and retention initiatives. 4. Provide professional, skills and leadership development for immigrant employees. Read the full article here.
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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. Refugee arrivals are ongoing 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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St. Louis LINC and ESL. Offering in-person AND limited online English language classes for newcomers, citizens and visitors, 6 days a week, at several locations (including remotely). Citizenship & IELTS Preparation classes also available.
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Conestoga LINC language classes. Due to COVID-19, all classes are currently being held on Zoom and through emailed practice activities.
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Afghan and Other Refugee Integration Updates |
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Last week, Mayor Dave Jaworsky, on behalf of the City of Waterloo, presented a generous contribution of $15.000 to the Immigration Partnership Fund for Immigrant and Refugee Initiatives at the Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation to support community organizations helping Afghan and other refugees settle in our community. THANK YOU, City of Waterloo, for the incredible impact you make on the resilience and integration of refugees!
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COVID-19 Information and Resources |
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Starting tomorrow, November 23, parents and guardians of children five to 11 will be able to book an appointment for their child at a regional vaccination clinic at http://regionofwaterloo.ca/GetVaccinated. Appointments will be released for the next 4 weeks so children can receive a first dose before the holidays.
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Other Information and Resources |
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This Building Migrant Resilience in Cities research focused on the neighbourhood as an area of hospitality in order to understand the reception dynamics starting from the vision that new immigrants have of the neighbourhood on their urban experience. Some of the questions they wanted to address were: What places migrants like to frequent in their everyday life? Do these places vary according to their status on arrival? and others.
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Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg, Canada’s new Immigration Minister said he’s prepared to increase immigrant targets -currently set at 411,000 for next year -if he deems additional newcomers are needed to fill labor shortages. Read the full article here.
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Community members are hosting an auction to raise funds for a local Waterloo family whose father/husband has been deported to Guatemala. All funds raised will help this family secure a home. Read their story here. Those who want to help, please visit the auction's Facebook page.
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Canada History Week 2021: Indigenous History |
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Every year since 2014, Canadians celebrate "Canada History Week" from November 22 to 28. This year’s theme is Indigenous History: Learning about Indigenous leaders, language revitalization and cultures.
This week is an opportunity for all Canadians -including recent Canadians and newcomers- to reflect upon and engage with Canada’s past to learn more about Indigenous people and events that have shaped our country as we know it today.
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View the digital magazine created by Historica Canada for Canada History Week to learn more about Indigenous History: Indigenous leaders, the future of Indigenous languages, Indigenous artists, reconciliation resources and more. It is recommended for individuals, children and families.
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Virtual Events and Webinars |
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De-escalation Techniques and Tips, Nov 23, 2021, 11am |
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The Waterloo Region and the areas Chambers of Commerce are hosting this event that will include free access to a webinar on de-escalation techniques and a live panel discussion with experts in the field. There will be an opportunity during the panel discussion for attendees to ask questions on conflict resolution techniques, COVID-19 regulations and general advice. |
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Growing Your Workforce Conference 2021, Nov 23-24 |
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A virtual conference focused on solutions that will help employers attract, retain and train the talent needed after the recent pandemic. Organized by experts in Literacy and Basic Skills, nine Workforce Planning and Development Boards and three Local Immigration Partnerships, this event will present to employers innovative and intersectional ways of growing their workforce. Click here for more information.
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In celebration of Restorative Justice Week, join Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Upstream panel as they discuss next steps towards making Waterloo Region a Restorative Region. Moderated by Mike Farwell, this panel will deconstruct principles of restorative justice, restorative practice and transformative justice and explore how these tools can build towards a restorative region. |
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Tech Connect, Nov 25, 2021, 4 pm
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TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario and Immploy is hosting a virtual event for employers to learn about contemporary hiring practices, benefits of mentoring, cultivating intercultural competency and connect with talent ready to work in tech. Make connections in this interactive virtual matchmaking experience bringing together internationally trained newcomer talent with employers in the tech sector. |
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Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) Fall 2021 Consultation: Welcoming Newcomers with Open Borders,
Nov 29-Dec 3
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The CCR Fall 2021 Consultation will take place online on the theme of Welcoming newcomers with open borders. It will consist of 9 workshops, 4 caucuses, Working Group meetings, plenaries (opening and closing) and the AGM! These are some of the topics that will be covered at the event: Discrimination in housing for newcomers, regularization: Leave No One Behind, US-Canada private sponsorship roundtable and more. |
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IN Her Shoe: Youth 15-30 Years Old, Winter Session: Dec 2021, Mon-Fri 12pm-6pm |
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In Her Shoes: Youth is a paid employment program for young women (cis and trans) & gender-diverse people who are experiencing significant barriers to securing employment. In this program, hosted by YW Kitchener Waterloo, participants will receive technical training and work experience in the bricks & clicks social enterprise store.
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Virtual Panel Discussion on Gender-Based Violence, Dec 3, 2021, 9 am-11am |
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YMCA of Southwestern Ontario in partnership with the Immigrant and Refugee Communities Neighbours, Friends and Families (IRCNFF) Campaign, Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee of Windsor Essex and the Windsor Essex Local Immigration Partnership is bringing an educational opportunity for frontline workers such as settlement advisors, LINC instructors and staff providing services for newcomers to learn strategies to prevent and address Gender- Based Violence. |
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Modern Approach to Interviews, Dec 7, 2021, 1pm- 2pm |
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Lutherwood is presenting an online workshop to provide information about the types of interviews and how to prepare yourself to answer questions effectively. |
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Connect-Ed Working Circles: A Skills Training and Employment Incentive Program, Cohorte 2, Jan 10, 2022 |
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Career Education Council is hosting this program to provide youth with 5 weeks of paid training in preparation for entry-level marketing, design, social media, communications positions. Students will learn advanced techniques in using Canva for resumes, social media posts, banners. Students will also receive extensive training in topics such as workplace etiquette, customer service essentials, conflict resolution, group dynamics, and more. Information at 519-827-6468. |
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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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