I sit to write this a few hours after returning home from Toronto’s symbolic ride on the freedom train- a remembering of the underground railroad- the network of ancestors and allies that brought many out of enslavement in the US to Ontario and other Canadian sites. It is symbolic of Nanny and the other grandmothers and grandfathers who led the maroons and their refusal of and resistance to enslavement.
Women's Entrepreneurship Hub (WE-Hub) is a free, six-week program led by Scadding Court Community Centre for income eligible, self-identifying women interested in gaining knowledge, experience, and support in self-employment/business ownership. WE-Hub supports women at all stages of the business cycle through virtual training by industry professionals, networking and testing opportunities, and business mentorship. Fall cohort starts October 25, 2025.
OCASI Professional Development Conference 2025: Solidarity in Vision and Action
October 22-23, 2025 | Toronto, ON
Registration is now open! Join us in person or virtually. To see a list of sessions, speakers and to register please visit the conference site. If you have any questions please email our conference team at conference@ocasi.org. We look forward to seeing you in October!
Colloque de Perfectionnement professionnel d'OCASI 2025 : Solidarité tant dans la vision que dans l'action
Les 22 et 23 octobre 2025 | Toronto, ON
Les inscriptions sont désormais ouvertes ! Soyez des nôtres en mode présentiel ou virtuel. Pour avoir accès à une liste de séances et de conférenciers, et pour vous inscrire, veuillez visiter le site web du colloque. Si vous avez des questions, veuillez écrire à notre équipe du colloque à conference@ocasi.org. Nous avons hâte de vous rencontrer en octobre !
Webinaire: La faisabilité et la reproductibilité d’un projet en immigration
Rejoignez-nous pour un webinaire, le Mercredi 17 septembre 2025 à 13h00 (HNE). Ce webinaire est conçu pour soutenir les praticiens qui travaillent dans les services aux immigrants et aux réfugiés. Il sera organisé par la communauté de pratique nationale en ligne "Réseau-etab.org" en collaboration avec le Réseau en Immigration Francophone Centre-Sud-Ouest Ontario.
OCASI's LearnAtWork.ca helps organizations train staff or newcomers across Canada. This secure, online platform offers hosting, support, and easy tools to share training with service providers. Ideal for agencies looking to build capacity and inclusivity.
OCASI has submitted 11 strategic recommendations to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance to the Committee’s annual pre-budget consultations. Read the full OCASI submission.
It is not too late to participate in the federal government’s pre-budget consultations. Complete the online questionnaire and send in your own submission by August 28, 2025.
An OCMS user tells us, "OCMS is a great tool. For case management of our clients, it is extremely helpful. All of the client's information is located on this system... Workers can then see everything that has been done for the client. Furthermore, action plans and follow-ups can be done more easily..."
Operation Ukrainian Safe Haven is now operating as the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Response (CHAR-RAHC)
The new title was created to reflect their expanded scope as they continue to ensure that corporate industry and individual cash donations reach those who need it most – refugees, displaced newcomer populations, and other newcomer families in need Canada-wide.
CLEO Connect has launched an online community worker resource hub. It highlights legal information and services to support community workers in their day-to-day work. There’s information on providing legal help, affordable legal services, and training.
The John Howard Society has a fact sheet called Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry). It lists what’s included in the Registry and explains the rules around reporting when someone is on the Registry.
Legal Understanding and Victim Empowerment (LIVE) is a project of Northern Justice Watch. It focuses on access to justice and legal education for marginalized communities affected by atrocity crimes. They host workshops and post seminars to their YouTube channel.
EVENTS
Across Boundaries One-Day Conference: Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression & DEI in Mental Health: How Far Have We Come?
The conference will examine how shifting social and political climates have impacted anti-racism and anti-oppression work in mental health. This event will be a dynamic day of dialogue, learning, and action—featuring expert speakers, interactive sessions, and impactful conversations to inspire community change.
On September 4, 2025, The Afghan Women’s Organization will host their 35th Anniversary Gala, a powerful celebration of courage, community, and the remarkable journeys of newcomers who have rebuilt their lives with strength and dignity. You’ll be inspired by stories of resilience, hear from globally recognized changemakers, and experience an unforgettable event.
National Conference: Pathways to Prosperity 2025 National Conference
Pathways to Prosperity’s 13th Annual National Conference will be held at the Halifax Convention Centre from November 24 to 26, 2025, with a welcome reception on November 23. The conference will feature a keynote address, plenaries, workshops, roundtables, posters, interactive activities, and networking opportunities. Submit a conference proposal by August 15, 2025.
Canadian Council of Muslim Women National Employment Conference: I Belong, You Belong
The Conference, in partnership with the Diversity Institute, is part of CCMW's ASPIRE Project (Addressing Barriers to Employment for Muslim Women), funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada. This project aims to foster equitable and inclusive work environments for Canadian Muslim women. November 6 - November 7, 2025.
The Nonprofit Data Capacity Summit takes place on September 18 in Toronto, bringing together nonprofit staff, funders, intermediaries, and government for a day of cross-sector dialogue and learning. The program includes presentations from sector leaders and funders, along with breakout sessions on data tools, capacity building, and envisioning a more connected, equitable future for nonprofit data.
The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline is hosting an interactive webinar on August 20 from 1 to 2 p.m. It will look at the role of the hotline in Canada’s anti-trafficking response and explain their approach to supporting callers.
Undocumented Residents Day in Toronto is an opportunity to acknowledge the work taking place to ensure all Torontonians can feel safe and are treated with dignity and respect. The City invites you to join in person August 20, 2025 from 12:15 PM - 2:30 PM at City Hall in the Members Lounge.
Citizenship and the Economic Outcomes of Immigrants in Canada
A report from Statistics Canada examines whether becoming a citizen leads to better employment, public sector participation, and earnings. While naturalized immigrants generally have stronger economic outcomes, the report finds these are mostly due to other factors like education, language ability, and motivation rather than citizenship itself.
Welfare in Canada, 2024: Deep poverty remains widespread
Maytree’s latest edition of Welfare in Canada shows that example households who received social assistance continued to live on incomes that were below the Official Poverty Line in 2024.
Community Living Ontario has released its 2025 review of the impact of Ontario’s Employment Services Transformation on disability-focused service providers and job seekers with disabilities.
The John Howard Society’s latest report, “From incarceration to encampment: Why so many Ontario prisoners end up homeless,” finds that in 2023-24 alone, more than 7,400 people released from Ontario’s provincial jails had no fixed address.
Seed Grant: Build capacity and prepare for future programming
Community investment opportunity for nonprofits, municipalities, and First Nations. Organizations can apply for funding to carry out projects focused on piloting a new program, conducting organizational planning, and building capacity to prepare for future programming. Grant applications are open until August 20, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST
HIV Endgame Program supports people and projects, including innovative, discovery-based, and policy projects. Practices that lead to more integrated health and social services and identify effective ways to address the social determinants are also welcome to apply. Contribute to a rapid learning HIV health and social system. Letter of Intent due September 10, 2025.
Do you have a passion for improving your community? Are you a youth-led group (ages 15-29) with a great idea that needs funding? Consider applying for a City of Toronto grant to help make an impact in your community. Applications are open until August 12, 2025, at 12 PM EST.
New Horizons for Seniors Program Call for Proposals 2025-2026 (ESDC)
The grant supports projects that are designed by seniors and for seniors in their communities. This program funds projects that empower seniors in their communities through increased social inclusion. Eligible organizations can apply for up to $25,000 for projects that are led by seniors and are volunteer based. Deadline for applications: September 17, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. EST.
Appel de propositions 2025-2026 pour les projets communautaires dans le cadre du Programme Nouveaux Horizons pour les Aînés (EDSC)
Il appui des projets communautaires conçus par des aînés pour les aînés. Ce programme finance des projets qui habilitent les aînés dans leur communauté grâce à une inclusion sociale accrue. Les organismes admissibles peuvent demander jusqu'à 25 000 $ pour des projets dirigés par des aînés et fondés sur le bénévolat. La date limite pour présenter une demande sera le 17 septembre 2025 à 15 h, HAE.
OCASI Professional Development Conference 2025: Solidarity in Vision and Action
Colloque de Perfectionnement professionnel d'OCASI 2025 : Solidarité tant dans la vision que dans l'action
Nonprofit Data Capacity Summit
Discover the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline
Toronto: Undocumented Residents Day 2025
