It is with a heavy heart that we entered this month, with the news that OCASI’s long-term accountant Sylvia Draper-Fernandez had transitioned. A stalwart in Toronto’s non-profit sector, Sylvia, the owner and principal of Progressive Accounting (PAS) Services was the Council’s accountant since its inception almost forty-three years ago.
How much do you know about Black History in Canada? Hymn to Freedom is a community project coordinated by Lauris DaCosta in partnership with the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre. Visit the project website to watch the video featuring images and visuals which span the 500 years of Canadian Black History. The iconic anthem ‘Hymn To Freedom’ was written in 1962 by Canadian Jazz musician Oscar Peterson.
Learn & Share - Mental Health Promotion Strategies
OCASI is hosting a Knowledge Exchange Day event on March 2nd and March 3rd from 9:30a.m.-12:30p.m. The event will convene leaders and champions working with newcomer communities to share strategies, experiences, and recommendations on implementing mental health promotion practices in newcomer serving organizations. We welcome all those interested in attending this collaborative event.
We really appreciate your work as settlement practitioners and would like to know what you think of SettlementAtWork. This platform has professional development resources and news for front-line workers, program and administrative staff, and managers.
Help us understand your experience so we can serve you better. Please complete the survey before February 19th, 2021.
Nous apprécions vraiment votre travail en tant que travailleurs du secteur de l'immigration et de l'établissement, et aimerions savoir ce que vous pensez de Secteur Établissement. Cette plateforme propose des ressources de développement professionnel et des nouvelles pour les travailleurs de première ligne, le personnel administratif et les gestionnaires de programme.
Aidez-nous à saisir votre expérience pour mieux vous servir. Merci de remplir le questionnaire avant le 19 février 2021.
OCASI is collaborating with medical doctors and community organizations to bring you accurate, verified medical information about COVID-19 vaccines. The bulletins are available in Amharic, Arabic, Bangla, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), English, French, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Tigrinya and Urdu.
Quand et pourquoi devrais-je programmer mon premier rendez-vous gynécologique? Ce premier rendez-vous a pour but de dépister d'éventuels problèmes de santé et d'en apprendre davantage sur les bonnes habitudes en matière de santé. C'est également l'occasion pour toi de pouvoir poser des questions et d'aborder, dans un espace sécuritaire, toute préoccupation médicale que tu peux avoir.
How and when should I schedule my first gynecology appointment? Your first gynecology appointment can be an opportunity to screen for potential health problems, and to address any health concerns you have. It can also be a safe space to ask questions and learn about healthy habits.
Town Hall on COVID-19 Vaccines held on February 1, 2021. Presentations and questions answered by Dr. Meb Rashid and Dr. Isaac Bogoch of University of Toronto. Download presentation and watch on YouTube
COVID-19 Vaccinations and Employer Liability, presented by Jonquille Pak, of Pak Smith Employment Lawyers. Watch on YouTube
We have exciting news! OCMS, the powerful Client Management System developed by the sector for the sector is going bilingual next fiscal year. Soon, you can streamline client information for your agency and generate reports quickly and easily in French AND English. Watch the OCMS video or register for a webinar. Contact Elena Trapeznikova elena@ocasi.org
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SECTOR HAPPENINGS
Recruiting healthcare workers who are caregivers
Are you a front-line healthcare worker? Do you have caregiving responsibilities outside of work for a dependent (like an elderly relative)? McMaster University researchers are inviting caregivers to participate in a 30-minute interview about the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare work and caregiving practices. Participants will get a $25 Amazon gift card for participation. Contact: Sakshi Mehta mehtas11@mcmaster.ca
Webinar: Tax Filing for Migrant Workers
Under the federal and provincial systems migrant workers have rights and responsibilities when it comes to filing taxes. Canada Revenue Agency representatives will provide information on when and how migrant workers can file taxes, the documents required and other relevant details on this topic. Organized by AMSSA Migrant Worker Hub. February 18, 2021 12:00-1:30 pm EST.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has opened a call for proposals to improve capacity for the private sponsorship of refugees. The call for proposals will be open until February 15, 2021 at 5:00 pm (EST).
Employment and Social Development Canada is accepting applications for the Sectoral Initiatives Program. The funding supports projects that develop and implement sector-based solutions to address the workforce challenges and needs of Canadian workers and employers; and address specific workforce needs in support of economic recovery for a specific sector or across sectors. Deadline March 4, 2021 at 3:00 pm (EST).
New! Early Language Learning Curriculum (ELL) for Newcomers
ELL is a specially designed curriculum to support newcomers with low levels of English literacy - especially if they are in for a long wait to join LINC. It is free to use and the Mothers Matter Centre is keen to support organizations in using it.
The Archives of Ontario preserves and makes available Ontario’s rich and diverse documentary heritage. Immigrant and refugee-serving agencies and ethno-cultural organizations play a vital role in telling Ontario’s story. Archives of Ontario wants to support you to promote good practices and ensure important organizational records are safely preserved to benefit of future generations. Please contact Amir Lavie amir.lavie@ontario.ca for information.
‘How to support international students in Canada – OCASI ED Network’ was released by the BMRC-IRMU project in January 2021. The report is based on presentations at a session on the topic held at the 2020 OCASI Executive Directors Forum.
This new report from the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH) COVID-19 Working Group highlights challenges, successes and recommendations related to Gender Based Violence work in Ontario during the pandemic.
