Afro-futurism/African-Canadian Liberation/Black histories/ month- all contested and complex concepts. Not surprising given our people’s four hundred plus year presence on these Indigenous lands colonized and settled by the colonizers. Our place in the meta-narratives of what we now call Canada, diminished when not completely erased. Still. 2022.
Debbie Douglas, OCASI Executive Director is taking a short break from this blog. This article is a repeat from February 2021.
OCASI MEMBER FEATURE
Windmill Client Spotlight Campaign
Windmill Microlending has recently launched a national specialty channel advertising campaign, showcasing the inspiring career success journeys of skilled immigrant and refugee clients. Running until spring, the 30-second television spots feature Windmill alumni discussing the barriers they faced as newcomers to Canada.
Register for OCASI’s anti-racism webinar & conversation series for the Ontario immigrant and refugee-serving sector. Guest experts will speak about systemic racism, anti-Black racism, anti-Asian racism, Islamophobia, racial discrimination and building racial equity in the sector.
Tell us how you supported refugees, immigrants and migrants during the pandemic. Beginning last year, OCASI has been collecting stories from Ontario’s immigrant and refugee-serving sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not too late to share your pandemic story.
Racontez-nous comment vous avez soutenu les personnes réfugiées, immigrantes et migrantes au cours de la pandémie. Depuis l'année dernière, OCASI recueille des histoires du secteur des services aux personnes immigrantes et aux réfugiées de l'Ontario pendant la pandémie de COVID-19. Il n’est pas trop tard pour raconter votre histoire de pandémie.
The National Alliance of Racialized, Refugee, and Im/migrant Women Project is seeking advisory committee members. Initiated by OCASI, this project is exploring the need and feasibility of forming a national alliance of racialized, refugee, and im/migrant cis and trans women, and gender nonbinary people. Interested? Read the call for nominations!
L’Alliance nationale des femmes racisées, réfugiées et immigrantes accepte actuellement les candidatures des personnes désireuses de rejoindre son comité consultatif. Lancé par OCASI, le projet a pour objectif d’explorer le besoin ainsi que la faisabilité de former une alliance nationale des femmes racialisées, réfugiées, et im/migrantes, y compris les femmes trans et les personnes non-binaires. Cela vous intéresse? Lisez l'appel à candidatures!
OCASI Positive Spaces Initiative (PSI) est heureux d'annoncer que notre cours en ligne de niveau 1, Créer des espaces positifs pour les nouveaux arrivant.es LGBTQIA+, sera ouvert le 26 janvier. L'inscription restera ouverte jusqu'au 17 février.
The Journeys to Active Citizenship team continues to share “journey maps,” stories of fictional characters that outline the different pathways to civic engagement taken by im/migrants and refugees. This past week, we shared Yasmine’s story. Next week: Farid’s story. Follow us on Twitter or join our group on SettleNet to see the stories.
Itinéraire de parcours
L’équipe Chemins vers une citoyenneté active continue de partager des “itinéraires de parcours”: des histoires de personnages fictifs qui montrent les nombreuses voies vers la citoyenneté active empruntées par les personnes immigrantes et réfugiées. La semaine dernière, nous avons partagé l’histoire de Yasmine. La semaine prochaine, nous partagerons celle de Farid. Suivez-nous sur Twitter ou rejoignez notre groupe RéseauÉtab.
Should I sign a Buyer Representation Agreement with a real estate agent?
Need to streamline client information for your agency? Generate reports quickly and easily? Meet last-minute funder changes in reporting? Discover how by watching the OCMS video or sign up for a webinar. OCASI Client Management System was developed by the sector for the sector, and is exclusively user-fee supported. Contact Elena Trapeznikova elena@ocasi.org
Apply To Be An Ambassador
The SettleNet.org/Réseau-Étab.org team is looking for enthusiastic ambassadors to help us reach and engage more individuals in the sector by promoting the platform by posting on social media, presenting at conferences, creating content, etc. This is a highly flexible opportunity with training, support, and promotional kit provided. Email mbeker@ocasi.org for more details and to apply
Join the OCASI Frontline Worker Email List
Do you work in an OCASI member agency in a non-management role? This email list is for you to get updates and information directly from OCASI and connect with peers across Ontario. To join complete the form or send an email to policyevents@ocasi.org
SECTOR HAPPENINGS
Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre/Employment Solutions
All are invited to WHCMC’s second free virtual Black History Celebration. Sessions are hosted every Wednesday until February 23, 2022. Upcoming:
February 16th, 2022, from 11 a.m – Panel Discussion focusing on "Black, Health and Finances"
February 23rd, 2022, from 11 a.m – Panel Discussions continued
Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion Virtual Movie Night
On Feb 18th, 6 pm - 7 pm, join HCCI & DJNO at a screening of the short documentary "Dresden Story by Julian Biggs." The film goes to Dresden, Ontario, to sample local attitudes towards racial discrimination against Black people that brought this town into the news. Join the screening via Facebook, Twitter, & YouTube.
The Underground Railroad, Next Stop, Toronto
On February 14, 2022, @ 12:30-1:30 pm join a discussion of Toronto's 19th-century Black history with historians Adrienne Shadd, Afua Cooper and Karolyn Smardz Frost, authors of the classic work, The Underground Railroad, Next Stop: Toronto! This event will launch the 2022 Social Justice Week at McLaughlin College.
The Canadian Human Rights Commission has been watching the events of the past weeks unfold across the country with grave concern. Aggression, intimidation and assault are not part of peaceful protest. Read the full statement from CHRC released on February 8, 2022.
February 14-20, 2022 is a new recognition of Ontario’s nonprofit sector and its nearly 850,000 workers. It’s based on Bill 9, Nonprofit Sector Appreciation Week, 2021, and championed by MPP Daisy Wai and the Bhayana Family Foundation. Let’s celebrate the vital role nonprofits and workers play in creating and maintaining healthy, vibrant and inclusive communities in Ontario.
As part of their continued commitment to pursuing equity, fairness, social justice, and systemic change, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation is excited to announce that they will be holding a National Youth Roundtable on Saturday, March 5!
Dans le cadre de leurs engagement continu à poursuivre l'équité, la justice sociale et le changement systémique, la Fondation canadienne des relations raciales est heureuse d'annoncer qu'elle tiendra une table ronde nationale des jeunes samedi, le 5 mars !
Read about an interview with Dahabo Ahmed-Omer, Executive Director of the BlackNorth Initiative. There are lessons for nonprofits looking to create systemic change through changing the behaviour of the private sector and advice for companies looking to make real progress on racial equity in their organizations.
The 2022 free virtual conference reflects on cities as hubs of creativity but also as places of tension where different types of minorities and migrants meet and mingle. Join the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration for its third annual international conference on February 15 - 17, 2022.
A timely report by John Stapleton and colleagues on what the end of these benefits mean for low-income Ontario residents in 2022. Find other informative, useful and up-to-date information and resources at Open Policy Ontario.
Join Migrant Rights Network in calling for full immigration status for all. You can sign up for actions and view the video of a Canada-wide rally held on January 30, 2022.
The Anti-Racism Directorate has re-opened the Call for Applications to this program, focused on supporting community-led initiatives that will increase public education and awareness on the impact of racism and hate, in all of its many forms. It will support eligible organizations that did not apply to the initial Call. Deadline February 14, 2022, 11:59 p.m.
The Law Foundation of Ontario is accepting applications for its grants program to encourage new community-driven ideas, approaches, and relationships that can help address emerging needs and connect more people to legal information and support, especially people who are not currently being reached. Apply before April 1, 2022, 5:00 p.m. EST
The Ontario Grant to Support Anti-Hate Security Measures for Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations will provide funds to faith-based and cultural organizations to increase safety and security measures. Eligible applicants must host regular gatherings (i.e., at least once a month) of religious, spiritual or cultural significance as a primary activity. Deadline March 3, 2022.
Applications are open for the Inclusive Community Grants program (ICG) 2022-23 by the Ontario Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility. Grants are up to $60,000 for a local project that will help older residents and people with disabilities participate in community life with priority for under-served communities and those that address COVID-19-related challenges. Deadline March 3, 5:00 pm EST.
Call for Proposals for the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP)
Employment and Social Development Canada launched an open call for proposals. Priority will be placed on projects that support underrepresented groups, including women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous people, racialized Canadians, newcomers, and LGBTQ2 Canadians, and will also promote a diverse and inclusive workforce. Deadline March 18, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. EST.
