Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
Your guide to upcoming events, information and resources in Waterloo Region

OCTOBER 28, 2019

Community Partners Events and Programs
For: Immigrants (I)
Employers (E)
Service Providers (SP)
General (G)
Immigration and the Economy Forum, Nov 13, 11:30am-2pm
(G) The Immigration Partnership’s 2019 Immigration Forum is being hosted with the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce, with a focus on “Immigration and the Economy”. It features the Hon. Perrin Beatty, President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, as keynote speaker and will include a panel discussion with local elected officials.
Part-Time Job Expo, Nov 28, 3-6pm
(G)  The Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin and Immigration Partnership invite job seekers to visit this job expo focused on part-time employment. Employers in Waterloo Region looking for increasing their pool of possible applicants by offering part-time positions, please register for a booth at the job expo.
Rhyze Ventures Info Session, Oct 28, 5:30-6:30pm
(G) Innovation Guelph invites women-led business owners and entrepreneurs in southwestern Ontario to this informative event that will provide a more detailed description of the Rhyze Ventures Program's curriculum and program schedule and the methods for pairing mentors with participants.
"Ask an Expert" live session, Oct 30
12-1pm EST
(SP) In this online live-session, hosted by the Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project , social, settlement and health service providers across Canada will ask questions to Vince Pietropaolo,the general manager of COSTI Family and Mental Health Services , related to their work in addressing the mental health of immigrants and refugees.
Diversity and Intersectional Equity Matters in Canadian Universities, Nov 6, 5-6:30pm
(G) The University of Waterloo’s Equity Office is hosting this talk with Dr. Malinda Smith, professor of the University of Alberta’s Department of Political Science, who will provide an unfiltered account of where the academy has succeeded and where challenges remain, particularly as it relates to racial justice, disability justice and decolonization. Please RSVP by Wednesday Oct 30.
Newcomer Women's Group in Arabic, Nov 6, 5:30-7:30pm
(I) The November topic of this Library Settlement Partnership Program is volunteer and support in the community. Attendees will learn about programs and resources available within the community. Light refreshments and bus tickets will be provided. The session will take place in Arabic.
Supporting Newcomers - Introduction to Mental Health and Trauma Training Workshop, Nov 6, 7-9pm
(SP) The Carizon-Promise of Partnership project will be hosting this trauma training workshop. It is designed to help participants gain a basic knowledge of mental health, enhance capacity to detect early signs of mental health issues in immigrants and refugees and strengthen their ability to connect those at risk to the appropriate services.
Absent Friends Film Night, Nov 7, 2019 6:30-9:30pm
(G) Hospice of Waterloo Region and  St. Jerome's University invite the community to join the screening of the "Coco" movie. After the movie, students, enrolled in the “Ethics of Life Care" offered at St. Jerome’s University, will facilitate discussion about death, dying and grief. 
English Conversation Circles in Waterloo Region, several dates
(I) See the Waterloo Region Community Calendar to check out dates, locations and times of English conversation circles in Waterloo Region. This circles provide the opportunity to improve and practice your English communication skills while networking in the community. See also the Immigration Waterloo Region website page with more info and resources about conversation circles and learning English in Waterloo Region.
Service Canada Webinars 2019 (Several dates)
(SP) From Nov 5 to Dec 19, Service Canada will be presenting free webinars on a variety of programs and services that they offer, for example, Record of Employment on the Web, Service Canada Overview, Canada Pension Plan Benefits, Old Age Security Benefits, etc. To get the full calendar, send an email to EDSC.SERVICECANADADIRECT-SERVICECANADALIVE.ESDC@servicecanada.gc.ca.
Resources and Information
The Waterloo Region Community Legal Services is expanding its immigration law services to include Refugee Law services, such as protection claims and other immigration/refugee areas. The services are free to those who qualify financially. Any questions, please contact Rachael Lake, Staff Lawyer, at [email protected].
Ensuring that authentic and meaningful community engagement happens takes courage, creativity, patience, and a willingness to be open to surprises or results that contradict expected deliverables. This guide provides tools and resources to assist you in engaging the community and, ultimately, developing a meaningful, actionable strategy.
The information and strategies shared in this guidebook will assist community organisations and neighbourhoods in their efforts to enhance the community dynamic of belong so that all people, especially individuals who are most marginalized, feel a sense of belonging.
Civic and Community Engagement
Call for volunteers at Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum

Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum runs a Family and Community Traditions education program each year. The program is presented to grade 2 and 3 students as a complement to the Ontario social studies curriculum. Along with the tradition of Christmas (as it was in 1914), the program also present information and hands on activities about Eid, Diwali, Hanukah and Lunar New Year. The museum is looking for volunteers who have first-hand experience with these celebrations to add their voice to the presentations. This position requires a two month commitment (Nov – Dec). For more information, please contact Debbie Moxam at [email protected]
Survey about Group of Five Sponsors and Community Sponsors

The Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) invites the community to participate in its survey about their experiences linked to Groups of Five Sponsors (G5) and Community Sponsors. The CCR is interested in learning more about how G5 and Community Sponsors connect to relevant information and networks – and whether there are any gaps.
The Latest Immigration News
Kitchener family facing deportation , The Record, Oct 28, 201 9

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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