Let’s Talk is heading to Waterloo!

Let's Talk is a free program for newcomer youth ages 14 - 21 that focuses on academic and career guidance. The upcoming Spring sessions will run weekly on Tuesdays from 5-7pm, between May 2 - June 20^th at the McCormick Branch of the WPL. Register now and connect with your community, other youth, and career mentors as you prepare to achieve your career goals. Volunteer hours, food, and bus tickets will be provided.

Registration form: Let's Talk Spring 2023 Registration (google.com)

Applications Open for 2023 Upstream Community Change Committee



The Region of Waterloo Upstream Fund will be launching again this spring, and they need community members to decide how to fund the community. Join a committee of people dedicated to improving the wellbeing of everyone by helping to distribute funding to grassroots community initiatives that are helping to reduce harm in our community.

If you are interested in being a part of the 2023 Community Change Committee, please complete this application form: Community Change Committee Membership - Application (regionofwaterloo.ca)

Connecting Families with Early Learning and Child Care: Meet the ELCC Navigators



The YMCA of Three Rivers has a team of Early Learning and Child Care Navigators (ELCC Navigators) ready to help young families access early learning and child care services. ELCC Navigators help eliminate  barriers to accessing Early Learning and Child Care services for all equity deserving populations, including the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) community. As one of the first points of contact for families with young children, ELCC Navigators:

· Share information about licensed child care in Waterloo Region

· Help families apply for child care on the centralized registry (OneList Waterloo Region)

· Help families access and apply for child care subsidies

· Provide information and support access to other community services and resources, including, but not limited to, special needs resourcing, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, and Public Health.

ELCC Navigators are funded by the Region of Waterloo 

Learn more about ELCC Navigators at Early Learning and Child Care Navigators - EarlyON Child and Family Centre (earlyyearsinfo.ca)

New in-person and Online English Classes Options Being Offered at St. Louis

There will be new in-person classes, covering CLB 1-7 and Get and Keep the Job.

For more information visit: Welcome - St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education (wcdsb.ca)

Key Dates for 2022 Taxes

Filling Dates for 2022 Taxes

• April 30, 2023 (May 1, 2023 since April 30 is a Sunday): Deadline to file your taxes
• June 15, 2023: Deadline to file your taxes if you or your spouse or common-law partner are self-employed

Payment date for 2022 Taxes

• April 30, 2023 (May 1, 2023 since April 30 is a Sunday): Deadline to pay your taxes

For more information visit Get ready to do your taxes - Canada.ca

Канадська гаряча лінія з питань торгівлі людьми — це конфіденційна багатомовна служба, яка працює цілодобово та покликана зв’язувати жертв/ потерпілих із соціальними службами, правоохоронними органами й службами екстреної допомоги, а також отримувати підказки від населення.

Загальні ознаки примусової праці:

• Примус працювати задарма або за незначну оплату

• Роботодавець забирає документи, що засвідчують особу працівника

• Робота відрізняється від обіцяної

• Умови проживання незадовільні або небезпечні

• Мають місце прояви жорстокого поводження, недоїдання, недотримання особистої гігієни

• Наляканість, тривожність, ізольованість

• Обмеження пересування, контроль

• Примус до сплати боргу/незаконної плати за найняття

ДЗВІНКИ: 1.833.900.1010

ДОПОМОГА ОНЛАЙН: canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca

Поліція буде задіяна лише в тому випадку, якщо ви цього захочете.

Upstream Fund Applications Opened April 15

The Region of Waterloo is launching the Upstream Fund. This fund gives money directly to grassroots community initiatives that are working to address root causes of harm. All funding decisions are made by the community, for the community. 

More information: Upstream Fund Collaborative Events 2023 - Registration (regionofwaterloo.ca)

Institute in Peace, Health and Sustainability with the Pegasus Institute

McGill is pleased to partner with the Pegasus Institute to offer courses for students interested in how migration, conflict, and the environment shape human health. Courses will explore connections between larger events of the world and the health of populations and individuals. This new course “Introduction to Migration and Health” will be offered in Spanish and English and the course “Environment and Global Health” returns this year with a French language option. Soyez des nôtres!

Participants are encouraged to take as many courses, across Institutes, as fits in their schedule. A certificate of participation will be issued for each course. The courses will be held from May 23 to June 9, 2023. There are in-person and online options.

More information: Institute in Peace, Health and Sustainability | McGill Summer Institutes in Global Health

Inclusive Community Grants Program: Promoting Accessibility and Active Living for All

The Inclusive Community Grants Program is now accepting applications for community projects that promote accessibility, safety, and active living for people of all ages and abilities. The program aims to support municipalities, non-for-profit organizations, and Indigenous communities in creating physical and social environments that enable older adults and people with disabilities to continue contributing to all aspects of community life. Projects that receive funding should benefit local communities and meet the needs of seniors and people with disabilities.

Applications are open until April 20, 2023: Inclusive Community Grants | ontario.ca

Apply now for the Woolwich Community Fund

Children and youth are the leaders and decision makers of tomorrow. It is essential that communities provide opportunities for children and youth to thrive and grow into their full potential through programs that strengthen their sense of identity, belonging and belief in the future.

The Woolwich Community Fund was established to meet a wide range of changing needs that exist across Woolwich Township now, and in perpetuity. Grants specifically focus on enhancing the quality of life for children and youth who reside in Woolwich. Since 2002, over $170,000 has been distributed to support initiatives in the region. Approximately $20,000 will be distributed through the fund in 2023.Registration will be open until April 23, 2023.



Learn more: 2023 Woolwich Community Fund Application | Blitzen Forms

The Waterloo Region Record Literacy Fund

Literacy is important in society because it empowers individuals to communicate effectively, understand and analyze information, and participate fully in the community. It also has a direct impact on economic growth, health outcomes, and social mobility, making it a critical component of individual and societal success.

The Waterloo Region Record Literacy Fund was established to raise, invest, and allocate funds to support literacy in Waterloo Region and the communities principally served by The Waterloo Region Record in Ontario. It defines literacy as the use of printed and written information in English to function in society, to achieve one's goals, and to develop one's knowledge and potential. Approximately $6,400 will be distributed through the fund in 2023.



The Waterloo Region Record Literacy Fund will be accepting applications until April 23, 2023: 2023 WR Record Literacy Fund Application | Blitzen Forms

American Son at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse

Don't miss out on this powerful drama, American Son, showing from April 5 to April 23 at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse in Waterloo, Ontario. The play follows the story of an estranged interracial couple who are desperately searching for their missing teenage son, who was detained by local police following a traffic stop incident. Winner of the prestigious Laurents/Hatcher Award and a New York Times Critics’ Pick, American Son is a thought-provoking exploration of race and identity in America.

Don't miss 50% off on regular priced tickets using the promo code: SON50. Get your tickets at: American Son / Drayton Entertainment

An Immigration System for Canada’s Future: Have your Say!

IRCC has recently launched a new engagement initiative, "An immigration system for Canada’s future", which aims to explore how immigration policies and programs can support a shared vision for Canada's future. It's essential to have immigration policies that are modern, responsive to change, and aligned with Canada's social, economic, and cultural needs. To collaborate on a vision of the future of Canada's immigration system, IRCC has launched an online survey and invites individuals to provide their ideas and advice for the future of immigration in Canada on behalf of their organization.

The survey will be open until April 27, 2023: An Immigration System for Canada’s Future: Consultation Survey (hkperspectives.com)

Nominate for Waterloo Region's World Refugee Day Awards

The Community Coalition on Refugee and Immigrant Concerns (CCORIC) is thrilled to announce the annual World Refugee Day Awards of Distinction in Waterloo Region. These awards aim to honor exceptional individuals who have lived refugee experiences and volunteers who are devoted to assisting refugees, and who have played a significant role in making Waterloo Region a more inclusive community.

If you are aware of a deserving person with lived refugee experience who has made a positive impact on our local community through their skills, dedication, and vision, or a committed individual, youth, or community group who deserves recognition for their volunteer time, commitment, and energy in supporting the success of local refugees in Waterloo Region, please nominate them.

The nominations will close on April 28, 2023, at 11:59 pm. Submit your nomination at WORLD REFUGEE DAY AWARDS OF DISTINCTION 2023 - CCORiC

Youth Employment Support Grant

The City of Kitchener is offering a Youth Employment Support Grant to reduce barriers to summer jobs for youth with low income. The grant offers up to $300 to help cover costs such as uniforms, transit, certifications, and other expenses that may prevent young people from applying for summer jobs with the City of Kitchener.

Applications are open until April 28, 2023.

Applicants can apply online: Youth Employment Support Grant - City of Kitchener

What Does it Mean to Be a Host

WR Grassroots Response is always looking for people in Waterloo Region willing to open up their homes to Ukrainian fleeing the war. The number of Ukrainians seeking shelter is not slowing and there are new requests for help every day.

If you are interested in becoming a host, there are several ways you can help. Hosts are people with space in their homes and a willingness to open their doors. Some hosts have a sofa bed and can offer emergency hosting only, others have a spare room or an apartment (and sometimes two) and are able to host for longer periods. Some can cook meals and help with paperwork.



Learn more about how you can become a host and support the Ukrainian community:

Provide Housing | WRGR (wrgrassrootsresponse.ca)

Un Guide Pour Tous

GuideMoi est une application mobile gratuite dédiée spécifiquement aux immigrants francophones qui souhaitent ou viennent de s’installer en Ontario. Cette application est un guide intuitif qui accompagne l’immigrant et l’oriente tout au long de son parcours d’intégration. Cet outil d’accompagnement virtuel prend en charge l’immigrant au moment où il en exprime le besoin. L’accompagnement peut se faire depuis le début son magasinage et se poursuivre après l’arrivée au Canada. L’application a pour objectif de tisser les bons liens au bon moment et dans la durée entre l’immigrant francophone et les services qui ont été mis en place pour lui. C’est le fil d’Ariane de l’immigrant francophone qui l’aide à la navigation dans les services et les informations. Il l’aide continuellement à trouver son propre chemin.

App GuideMoi - Réseau à l'immigration francophone CSO (reseausoutien.org)

Find the Perfect Mentor to Help you Become a Licensed Health Professional in Canada

Mentor Me aims to assist internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs) in obtaining licensure in Canada. Each year, over 25,000 IEHPs come to Canada seeking to work in their respective fields, but current processes prevent almost half of them from achieving this goal. Mentor Me provides a simple solution by connecting unlicensed IEHPs with licensed IEHPs for personalized, flexible peer mentorship throughout the licensing process.

Licensed IEHPs can register as mentors and earn income at their own rate and schedule while helping others. On the other hand, IEHPs working towards licensure can find a mentor who understands the process and can work within their schedule and budget.

Learn more at: Get licensed as a Canadian healthcare professional as quickly as possible with Mentor Me Healthcare's support.

Part of the Solution: Recommendations for Welcoming Internationally Trained Physicians into Canada’s Health Care Sector

Apr. 19, 2023, 1:00PM - 2:00PM

Organizations such as Our Kids Health (through Unity Health), About Kids Health (through Sick Kids), and Refugee613 are three such organizations that collect, summarize, and disseminate information to help newcomer populations through informative resources in multiple languages. From distributing quickly developing news on the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent vaccines to accessing specific services within their community, this panel discussion will present from key subject matter experts answers to many questions on development and maintaining reliable and easy to understand information to newcomers across Canada.

Migration Working Group – Scholars of Excellence Edition: De-centring the Governance and Knowledge Production on Migration

Apr. 19, 2023, 10:00AM - 4:15PM

Hybrid

Join CERC Migration’s visiting Scholars of Excellence, Oliver Bakewell, University of Manchester, Nicola Piper, Queen Mary University of London, and CERC Migration Chair Anna Triandafyllidou, for a workshop that aims to challenge the consensus views that have shaped the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The workshop draws on views from Africa, Asia and Latin America to examine the political economy of knowledge production on migration and its governance, and the side effects of regulated migration.

Youth Take Charge:

Advocacy Incubator 2023

Apr. 19 & Apr. 26, 2023

LEARN from other young activists

BUILD a campaign

PITCH your campaign

Join Children First Canada for a two-day virtual summit on advocacy, communications, and campaigns, featuring incredible keynote speakers, trainers, and facilitators who are young people just like you! During the summit, you’ll be matched up into teams on issues you care about such as climate change, poverty, or racism. Together with your team you will take what you learn in the main sessions and apply it in your campaign. Your team will develop a campaign pitch that you will present to other summit participants. The winning groups from the first round will do a shark-tank style pitch to a panel of politicians, communicators, and partner organizations. Work to have your cause be the winning campaign!

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hone your advocacy skills and make a difference!

Expansion of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) – what it means for those seeking refuge in Canada

Apr. 20, 2023, 12:00PM - 1:00PM

Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO), will be hosting this webinar that will discuss exceptions to the STCA and how to make a refugee claim at a port of entry under an exception. It will also outline the dangers faced by claimants who enter Canada irregularly between ports of entry and are at risk of deportation to the U.S. during their first 14 days in Canada. We will provide valuable information to share with clients who may have family members or friends hoping to make a refugee claim in Canada. 

Speaker: Heather Neufeld, Immigration Lawyer with Connecting Ottawa 

ASL Interpretation will be provided.

Migration Working Group: (Trans)nationalism

Apr. 25, 2023, 11:30AM - 2:15PM

Join CERC Migration for our upcoming Migration Working Group meeting. The April Migration Working Group addresses the theme of (trans)nationalism. This meeting will be chaired by senior research associate Amin Moghadam.

Welcoming Internationally Educated Nurses into the Canadian Health Care Sector: Recommendations for Change

Apr. 26, 2023, 1:00PM - 2:00PM

Despite being targeted by recruitment campaigns, less than half of Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) who immigrate to Canada end up employed in their profession. In September 2022, N4 brought together key stakeholders along the pathways for IENs licensure and employment within its unique Community of Practice (CoP) Working Group model. This webinar will provide an overview of the pan-Canadian concrete and actionable recommendations co-developed over the CoP’s seven months of work.

Community Open House | LiftOff C•H•A•T•S - Health!

Apr. 29, 2023, 1:00PM - 5:00PM

2 King Street West Kitchener, ON

LiftOff C•H•A•T•S is an open house for entrepreneurs, professionals, creatives, and community members, to engage with each other via networking, talent displays, showcasing, and community engagement. This second instalment will be focusing on the topic of Health.

Have a fantastic lineup of Health experts, FREE blood pressure checks by a nurse, health & wellness products on sale, giveaways, entertainment and much more!



Make sure to register and secure your tickets today!

Reflections on Canada's Immigration Narrative: A Roundtable Discussion Moderated by Nan Kiwanuka

May 9, 2023, 6:30PM - 8:30PM

Join CERC Migration for a roundtable discussion, moderated by TVO’s Nam Kiwanuka, to take a close-up look at today’s dominant Canadian immigration narrative, asking what’s at stake and how might the narrative move toward a more inclusive and welcoming society.

Sustainable Health Resources and Information for Newcomers

May 10, 2023, 1:00PM

Organizations such as Our Kids Health (through Unity Health), About Kids Health (through Sick Kids), and Refugee613 are three such organizations that collect, summarize, and disseminate information to help newcomer populations through informative resources in multiple languages. From distributing quickly developing news on the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent vaccines to accessing specific services within their community, this panel discussion will present from key subject matter experts answers to many questions on development and maintaining reliable and easy to understand information to newcomers across Canada.

Datafication of Borders and Migration

May 25, 2023, 9:30AM - 4:15PM

Hybrid

Along with partners at Utrecht University and Tampere University, CERC Migration hosts a hybrid workshop. Join an interdisciplinary gathering of scholars to discuss the research on the use of digital technologies and datafication in migration management, the implications for refugees, and the unsettling consequences in border management and policymaking applications.

Multiculturalism at a Crossroads

May 30, 2023, 10:00AM - 4:45PM

Hybrid

CERC Migration will be hosting a workshop to explore the future of multiculturalism, asking if it can overcome the divide created by populist regimes between the majority and minorities. Co-convened by Gurpreet Mahajan (formerly Jawaharlal Nehru University) and Anna Triandafyllidou.

Practice your English

Every Monday, until Jun. 19, 2023

3:00PM - 4:00PM

Practice your English skills in a small group setting with a trained volunteer, all from the comfort of your own home! All newcomers are welcome. This virtual program requires registration, an email address, and access to a laptop, tablet, or mobile device. Each session is 45 minutes.

Practice your English

Every Wednesday, until Jun. 21, 2023 10:00AM - 11:00AM

Practice your English skills in a small group setting with a trained volunteer, all from the comfort of your own home! All newcomers are welcome. This virtual program requires registration, an email address, and access to a laptop, tablet, or mobile device. Each session is 45 minutes.

2023 English Conversation Circles

Every Tuesday, until Jun. 22, 2023 11:00AM - 12:30PM (Online)

6:30PM - 8:00PM (In-person)

The YMCA of Three Rivers will be offering English Conversation Circle to help newcomers practice their spoken English skills! This program is free and is drop in meaning you can attend as many sessions as you want. 

Women's English Conversation Circles

Every Thursday, until Jun. 22, 2023 10:00AM - 11:30AM (In-person)

The Kitchener Public Library is offering Women's English Conversation Circles, where all newcomer women are welcome to join and practice speaking English in a relaxed and comfortable environment with other women. Meet new friends, share stories, and learn about life in Canada.