“When someone shows you who they are, believe them”. This quote, often attributed to celebrated and well-loved African-American poet and author, Maya Angelou, appeared time and again on my various social media platforms as primarily Black, Asian and Arab people found themselves gaslighted, contradicted and called out, for raising concerns about the treatment of Black and racialized people, primarily international students attempting to flee the devastating war in Ukraine.
YWCA Toronto will honour the achievements of eight remarkable women and raise funds for women, girls and gender diverse people in the City at their annual Women of Distinction Awards Gala on June 9, 2022. We congratulate honourees from the OCASI family:
Congratulations to Loly Rico, Executive Director, FCJ Refugee Centre, winner of the 2022 Women of Distinction Award for being a prominent advocate for refugee women and their children in Toronto.
Deepa Mattoo
Congratulations to Deepa Mattoo, Executive Director, Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, winner of the 2022 Women of Distinction Award for being a prominent advocate for survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Toronto.
Asma Faizi
Congratulations to Asma Faizi, Board President, Afghan Women’s Organization, winner of the 2022 Women of Distinction Award for being an advocate and activist dedicated to creating opportunities for Afghan women and girls who have experienced human rights abuses.
OCASI HAPPENINGS
OCASI Letter on Special Refugee Measures
OCASI welcomes Canada’s unprecedented and positive new special measures for Ukrainian refugees, and calls for them to be made a permanent and consistent response to humanitarian crises in other countries that haven’t received as much attention globally. Read OCASI’s letter to Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
Register for the 3rd webinar in OCASI’s anti-racism webinar/conversation series for the immigrant and refugee-serving sector. Nadiya Ali of National Council of Canadian Muslims will speak about lslamophobia and deconstruct some of the dominant problematic myths surrounding Muslim communities. March 23, 2022 from 10 am to 12 noon.
Join us for a virtual celebration of Refugee Rights Day on Monday April 4th at 1 pm- 2 pm, organized by the Toronto Planning Committee for Refugee Rights Month. This is a commemoration of the 1985 Supreme Court decision recognizing that refugee claimants are entitled to fundamental justice.
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..."
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
SECTOR HAPPENINGS
A New Look For The CCR
The Canadian Council for Refugees has launched a new image. It is an outcome of the CCR’s new strategic plan and communications strategy. It re-emphasizes the CCR’s dedication and commitment to provide more effective communications to serve the needs of refugees, migrants and newcomers. A new website is to be launched by the end of April 2022.
The Ontario government has launched a review of the province’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan. The consultations will help inform programs supporting public education and awareness, community collaboration, and anti-racism initiatives like the Anti-Black Racism Strategy and the development of an Indigenous-focused strategy.
Register for the Annual Symposium on Francophone Immigration - March 14 to 18, 2022 by La Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) du Canada. Sessions will include pre-arrival services and increasing the number of immigrants to Francophone and Acadian communities.
15e Symposium annuel sur l’immigration francophone
Inscrivez-vous au Symposium annuel sur l'immigration francophone - du 14 au 18 mars 2022 par La Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) du Canada. Les sessions porteront notamment sur les services avant l'arrivée et l'augmentation du nombre d'immigrants dans les communautés francophones et acadiennes.
The Collective of Child Welfare Survivors (CCWS) presents a discussion of what abolition means in child welfare/protection and how we can reimagine supporting families. CCWS is a grassroots organization that provides supports for child welfare survivors ages 15-25 - particularly Black, Indigenous, and racialized people and their families. Featuring El Jones, Josie Pickens and Josh Lamers.
The Wellesley Institute is hosting a virtual discussion on combatting the spread of misinformation in newcomer communities, featuring speakers who will explore how settlement practitioners can make sure that newcomers have access to information that can improve public health and save lives. On Wednesday, March 16 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. EST.
The government of Canada has established a Task Force to conduct a review of the federal Employment Equity Act (EEA). The review is to look at how changing demographics and the current understandings of diversity and inclusion are reflected in the workplace. Participate in the consultation by sharing your views related to employment equity.
The Career Advance initiative is meant to help Black youth and young professionals find and keep jobs and advance in high-opportunity sectors, and improve workplace environments and cultures to help create the conditions for them to succeed in the workforce. Applications for the Career Advance initiative must be submitted by April 6, 2022, 5:00 PM EST.
The Law Foundation of Ontario is accepting applications for its Responsive 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
This open call for proposals from Employment and Social Development Canada is meant to help connect Canadians with the training they need to access good jobs in in-demand sectors. Projects that support underrepresented groups, including women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous people, racialized Canadians, newcomers, and LGBTQ2 Canadians are a priority. Deadline March 18, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. EST.
