Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
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Immigration Partnership News | |
Coming Next Week: 2022 Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival (WRMFF) | |
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A new version of the Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival (WRMFF) is coming next week! The Immigration Partnership and partners have curated a series of films to learn about and reflect on migration, a topic that continues to attract the attention of media, governments and communities around the world.
Everyone is invited to WRMFF! Residents of Waterloo Region and beyond are invited to participate in the festival which will take place from December 1 to December 18, International Migrants Day. More information will come in the next few days via our social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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The Immigration Partnership's 2022 Newcomer Landlord Award recipients will be announced tomorrow, Nov 22, 10am, at the Region of Waterloo’s National Housing Day celebration. The award seeks to recognize local landlords who have made important contributions to the settling and community integration of newcomers and refugees in Waterloo Region.
This year’s focus of the National Housing Day celebration is on the work of Non-Profit and co-op housing providers who play an integral role in the housing system and, alongside other housing and support partners, Build Community Together in Waterloo region. We invite you to join us in celebrating individuals or groups in our community who have gone above and beyond to support community members to achieve their housing and life goals. This event will be held both in-person and virtually. For those attending in-person, there will be snacks and beverages provided. Register here.
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Webinar for Employers: Business Growth Series: Is your Team Quietly Quitting? | |
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Sponsored by the Immigration Partnership and MNP, the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce is hosting a webinar series for employers to help them grow their businesses. The next webinar, taking place on Dec 1 at 11am to 12pm, will feature Frank Newman, founder and CEO of Newman Human Resources Consulting Inc., who will discuss what is happening in the workforce landscape having to deal with employees quietly quitting, plus hybrid work arrangements, 4-day work weeks, work from anywhere, acute skill shortage of workers and more.
The speaker will share insights, so employers will know when staff are "quietly quitting" and provide solutions on how to keep their teams productive and engaged. Register here.
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In the December 8 session of the Fresh Innovators WR Speaker Series, attendees will hear from three local leaders working to support new Canadians who have come to Waterloo Region, including our community engagement coordinator Dan Vandebelt, along with Wajma Attayi from Centre for Family Medicine and Emma Jennings from reception House Waterloo Region. This in-person event taking place at Kitchener Public Library from 4 to 6pm is hosted by Leadership waterloo Region with the goal of featuring those in our community making change happen. Register here.
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For more details on these events and other immigration, anti-racism and community initiatives, follow us on our social media accounts! | |
Community Partner Highlights
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Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open
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The KW Multicultural Centre (KWMC) is offering in-person services at its new location: 715 Fischer Hallman Rd, Suite 401, Kitchener.
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YMCA Immigrant Services is providing in-person and remote settlement services.
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The YMCA language assessment centre is doing online and in-person language assessments.
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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 video conferencing) 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 serving government-assisted refugees in person and remotely. Refugee arrivals are ongoing in Waterloo Region.
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COMPASS Refugee Centre (formerly MCRS) is serving refugee claimants virtually and in person for claim and settlement supports. Virtual Ready Tours in preparation for hearings are now available through COMPASS. They also provide safe, in-office access to virtual hearings for claimants who need I.T. support and confidential space.
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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 classes offered morning and afternoon, both online and in-person this year. Evening and Saturday classes are not offered at this time. Please contact the YMCA first to get an English Language Assessments. Please email at [email protected] to make an appointment.
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Conestoga LINC language classes. Classes are currently held both on campus and online. When you register for class, a LINC technician will meet with you to help you get started.
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We Want to Hear from You: Share your First Job Experience as a Newcomer in Canada | |
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We encourage immigrants in Waterloo Region to participate in the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin's First Jobs Project by sharing their first job experiences as newcomers to Canada, skills they gained and the importance of their very first jobs.
The project consists of a series of videos that focuses on showcasing to youth and parents the skills that first job taught the participants and how it helped them to where they are today. An additional stream of videos will be focusing on first jobs as newcomers to Canada. The videos will be delivered through a variety of social media channels. The Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin team will be with you every step of the way.
If you are interested in participating in this project, please complete this form here. If you know someone else who might want to participate, please share this information with them.
For any questions or if more information is required please don't hesitate to reach out to Bennett MacDonald at [email protected].
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Community Engagement Opportunity: Input Needed for
Waterloo Region’s 2023 Plan and Budget
Residents, including immigrants, can have their say now on the Region of Waterloo's 2023 Plan and Budget! This year, municipalities across the province face significant budget challenges. The Region's 2023 budget must balance expanding important services for our growing community, and rising costs caused by inflation. This is why it is critical that we hear what programs and services are important to you.
There are several ways for you to provide input. A short online survey and other feedback options are available at www.engagewr.ca/budget2023 until the end of 2022. The dates of all public budget meetings will also be added to the EngageWR page as they become available.
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Refugee Integration Updates | |
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Supporting Afghan and Other Refugee Resettlement in Waterloo Region
Community members can support Afghan and other refugees arriving in the region in many ways: Providing affordable housing or primary care, making monetary donations to the Immigration Partnership Fund or Reception House Waterloo Region, donating clothing and other items, sponsoring refugee families, supporting family reunification efforts,etc. Visit http://immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/afghanresettlement for more information on the Afghan Resettlement in Waterloo Region!
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In Solidarity with Ukraine
Visit www.immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/ukraine to learn how residents of Waterloo Region can support the Ukrainians coming to Canada. In addition, visitors will find helpful information and tools shared by the federal government specifically for Ukrainian individuals and families such as service access instructions, welcome to Canada checklist, SIN for Newcomers, etc.
Maryhill group home to become ‘guest house’ for up to 22 Ukrainian refugees. Grassroots group to help provide transitional housing concept in former residence for older adults. Woolwich Township’s committee of adjustment has green-lit a guest house proposal to allow transitional housing in Maryhill for up to 22 Ukrainian refugees seeking safe haven here in Waterloo Region.
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Information and Resources | |
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Giving Tuesday: November 29
Join Giving Tuesday Waterloo Region on November 29! Giving Tuesday is a time when Canadians, charities, and businesses come together to celebrate giving and participate in activities that support charities and non-profits; to thank, help, give, show kindness, and share what they have with those in need. Show your support for your favorite local charity or nonprofit in the region here.
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Making Decisions About your Future Career
In this video, the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin spoke with Jason Church, Account Manager at Hewson Brothers Building Supply. Jason shares about how co-op in high school helped him, how we came to find his fit in the construction industry and his advice for young people, including newcomers, making career decisions today. Listen to him here.
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University of Waterloo Joins International Education Week Celebration
The University of Waterloo joins stakeholders from over 100 different nations in celebrating this important week by showcasing the merits to international education through a variety of programs, events, collaborations, debates, discussions, and an array of activities for the University of Waterloo community. More information here.
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IN HER SHOES: Newcomer Women, Fall session: Nov 21 | |
Registration is now open for the In Her Shoes: Newcomer Women, an employment and entrepreneurship training program for visible minority newcomer cis and trans women and non-binary individuals with a focus on building computer and digital literacy skills, employment skills and entrepreneurship and starting your own online business. | |
Migration, Governance and Gender, Nov 22, 10am-4pm EST | |
Join CERC Migration for our upcoming Migration Working Group: Scholars of Excellence Edition. The November meeting investigates migration, governance and gender: how women migrants are impacted by policy, but also how, through agency and resilience, they confront and reshape policies. | |
Addressing Inequities within Environmental Sustainability, Nov 22, 11- 1pm | |
Join Sustainable Waterloo Region and speaker Colleen James, founder of Divonify, for a talk on Addressing Inequities within Environmental Sustainability. Colleen will lead a discussion in creating a more equitable and inclusive workforce and community. She will outline what this looks like when we factor in sustainability and the work to create a more environmentally sustainable region. | |
Language Interpreter Training virtual information session, Nov 23, 7-8pm | |
The Language Interpreter Training program of Conestoga College will host a virtual information session. The program coordinator will present learning outcomes in the program, skills development, and how this learning can be applied to careers. An additional session will take place on December 13. | |
Healthy Eating for Newcomers. A Library Settlement Partnership Program, Nov 23, 6pm | |
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This presentation for newcomers will cover:
- Canada's Food Guide
- how to read nutrition labels
- understanding expiration dates
- natural vs. processed foods
- seasonal/fresh foods in Canada
This program is presented in partnership with the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre. Registration is required.
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IRCC-PHAC Information session about COVID-19 vaccines, Nov 22, 12:30pm | |
This session will include a brief presentation on the steps the Government of Canada is taking to ensure access to a safe, effective and free COVID-19 vaccine this fall/winter. This webinar is for all IRCC-funded settlement and integration service provider organizations and staff to support frontline workers with information to relay to newcomer clients. More information here. There is a French version of this webinar on Nov 23, register here. | |
Towards Equity and Anti-Racism in Canada's Immigration System, Nov 24-26 | |
This Canadian Council for Refugees Consultation will address key challenges in our refugee and immigration system. Participants will learn, brainstorm, hear from and give input to government officials and share resources and strategies to respond to these issues in a series of workshops, caucuses, and meetings. | |
Technology and Your Online Job Search Workshop, Multiples Dates | |
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This online workshop by the Region of Waterloo will help with all those questions and give the necessary tips and strategies to win in this new online job application world covering topics such as:
- Online job searching
- ATS (Application Tracking System)
- Social Media- Online Applications
- Online etiquette
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ExtravArtganza, Nov 26, 10am-4pm | |
Join Family & Children's Services Foundation for a free, family-friendly event to celebrate our community of artists, and the art of community at the Family centre. The event will include a holiday maker's market, performances by youth and community groups, yummy treats for sale, family photographer on side for mini sessions, art activities for the whole family and more. For more information, email at [email protected]. | |
Program and Career Advising for Newcomers, Nov 30, 6pm ET | |
Are you new to Canada and thinking of getting a Canadian education to help start a career? If you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or convention refugee, then this Conestoga College's live interactive session is where you want to start. Staff can help you with information about International credential evaluation, Canadian Language Benchmark, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC), English Language Studies, and other college programs. They can help you understand admission requirements for college programs and utilizing your International education and professional experience. | |
Rent to Reflect: Community Information Session, Nov 30, 7-7:30pm | |
Local landlords, property managers and individuals with in-house flats, apartments, and homes for rent are invited to this 30-minute online session hosted by Somali Canadian Association of Waterloo Region, hear about the Building Better Futures Portable Rent Assistance Program (BBFP) in Partnership with the Region of Waterloo. Also, learn how Somali Canadian Association of Waterloo Region supports landlords and tenants to have positive working relationships. You can make a difference by welcoming these community members. | |
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Canada bets big on immigration, but newcomers' skills and education are being wasted The Star news, Nov 19, 2022
Black councillor takes his seat, moving Waterloo closer to reflecting the region’s most racially diverse city The Record, Nov 19, 2022
Region of Waterloo spends $50,000 on research initiative to combat homelessness CityNews Everywhere, Nov 19, 2022
UNHCR: Refugees and displaced people need seats at COP28 table Reliefweb News, Nov 20, 2022
Canada makes 16 new jobs eligible for permanent residence, including nurse aides Global News, Nov 18, 2022
Scarborough playwright Kanika Ambrose shines a light on immigration and motherhood The Star news, Nov 18, 2022
Wave of sickness sees uptick in demand for free COVID test kits CityNews Everywhere, Nov 18, 2022
Yang Yum: Secret Korean Recipe in Waterloo delivers the yum Waterloo Chronicle, Nov 18, 2022
Landlord doubles rent for Syrian refugees using exemption that allows for unlimited increases Cambridge Times, Nov 16, 2022
We're hiring: Indigenous reporters, Storytellers, Knowledge Keepers and Teachers Waterloo Chronicle, Nov 18, 2022
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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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