There is disruption in the air. Disruption to the status quo, to the usual. This may turn out to be both good and bad.
My thought this past first weekend of the month as we hit mid-twenties temperatures- “even mother nature is in a disruptive mood.” This thought brought about by the freakishly warm weather mother nature has served up here in Ontario in November - signaling the direction our planet is headed, as we continue to tinker around the edges of climate change. Worrying even while we enjoy the warmish winds.
Congratulations Achēv on being named Diamond Winner of the 2022 Mississauga News Readers’ Choice Awards in three categories - Adult Education, Employment Agency and Non-Profit/Foundations. The Diamond is the highest ranked award. Mississauga News holds the Readers’ Choice Awards every year to recognize local organizations for their achievements.
We are delighted to welcome new and re-elected Board members, elected at regional meetings and the OCASI AGM on October 26, 2022. The Board will select the new Executive at the first Board meeting in December. Regional Directors
Myriam Mekni, Catholic Centre for Immigrants, Ottawa - Eastern Region
Deborah Robertson, North Bay and District Multicultural Centre - Northern Region
Jennifer Hollis, WILL Employment Solutions - Western Region
Corina Carvallo, Skills for Change - Toronto Region
Provincial Directors
Madeleine Nerenberg, KEYS Employment and Newcomer Services, Kingston
Mbalu Lumor, Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture, Toronto
Tracy Callaghan, Adult Language and Learning, Chatham
Uzma Qureshi, Immigrants Working Centre, Hamilton
Francophone Director
Bonaventure Otshudi, Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara
Are you Indigenous, Black or racialized, residing in Durham, Hamilton, London, Ottawa, Peel, Quinte, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Windsor-Essex, and York Region? We want to hear from you about employment barriers and race-based and other forms of discrimination workers are facing. Your input will help inform our efforts for systemic change. For a paper copy of the survey contact Namrata Tilokani namrata@ocasi.org
AccueilOntario.ca : Soutenir l'établissement des réfugiés parrainés par le secteur privé
Le site Web WelcomeOntario.ca / AccueilOntario.ca a fait peau neuve ! Les fournisseurs de services d'établissement, les répondants privés et les réfugiés parrainés peuvent y trouver tout ce qu'ils ont besoin de savoir à propos de l'établissement des réfugiés parrainés par le secteur privé en Ontario.
WelcomeOntario.ca: Supporting the settlement of privately sponsored refugees
The WelcomeOntario.ca / AccueilOntario.ca website has had a facelift! Settlement service providers, private sponsors and sponsored refugees can find everything they need to know about the settlement of privately sponsored refugees in Ontario.
Are you looking for a client management system that works well for your agency? Try OCMS! Please watch the OCMS video. We are proud of our work and our clients. To join our growing list of clients contact us at ocmssupport@ocasi.org
SECTOR HAPPENINGS
Migrant.e Take Action - Status Now!
Because of migrant organizing, PM Trudeau has instructed the Minister of Immigration to create a regularization program and to ensure permanent resident status for migrant workers and students. We are close to winning, but migrants need you to join us in making sure that no one is left behind. Add your name to call for status for all.
Register for the Canadian Council for Refugees Fall Consultation, “Towards Equity and Anti-Racism in Canada’s Immigration System" at Marriott Courtyard Downtown Toronto. Participants will learn, brainstorm, hear from and give input to government officials and share resources and strategies on key challenges in the refugee and immigration system.
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health strongly recommends that you get your COVID-19 fall booster dose and a flu shot as soon as possible. The bivalent booster can protect against circulating COVID-19 variants and help restore protection that may have decreased since your last dose. The flu shot can provide additional protection against respiratory illness.
Planning for the Future: Preparing a Power of Attorney Part 2 - Property
A Power of Attorney is a legal document in which one person gives another the power to make personal and financial decisions for them when they are unable. This webinar will outline important issues to be considered when preparing a Power of Attorney. Also, learn how to use CLEO’s Guided Pathway, an easy-to-use interactive tool. November 17, 12-1 pm.
The Conference will be held in Ottawa, ON on March 16-18, 2023. Submit proposals for sessions and papers on topics in immigration, integration, inclusion and identities. Deadline December 2, 2022.
The Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility is accepting applications for proposals that educate stakeholders about the value and benefits of accessibility, help support compliance with accessibility laws and promote a culture of inclusion. Review Program Guidelines and Apply for Funding. Applications close December 8, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. EST
Skills Development Fund
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development is accepting applications for Round 3 on a continuous basis until January 31, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. EST or until the funding has been fully committed. The Skills Development Fund (SDF) funds innovative projects that address challenges to hiring, training or retaining workers. Read the application guide and Apply for Funding.
Resilient Communities Fund
Apply to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for funding to help your non-profit organization rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19 and effectively meet the changing needs of your community. Deadline December 7, 2022, at 5 PM ET.
This research explores the relationship between trauma and criminalization among racialized women and highlights the dangerous stigma they face as a result. The report includes recommendations on improving access to services for racialized survivors with experiences of criminalization.
Canadian public opinion about immigration and refugees - Fall 2022
The latest Focus Canada research by Environics Institute reveals that, despite the many disruptions and challenges facing Canadians today, the public as a whole has never been more supportive of their country's welcoming path when it comes to immigration and refugees.
Canadian Census - Portrait of Religious and Ethnocultural Diversity
More than 450 ethnic or cultural origins were reported in the 2021 Census. The top origins reported by Canada's population, alone or with other origins, were ‘Canadian’ (5.7 million people), ‘English’ (5.3 million), ‘Irish’ (4.4 million), ‘Scottish’ (4.4 million) and ‘French’ (4.0 million).
Migration and Resilience in Urban Canada: Why Social Resilience, Why Now?
A new research report from Building Migrant Resilience in Cities (BMRC) explains a social resilience approach to the integration of international migrants, evaluates its benefits for understanding the experiences of contemporary international migrants, and proposes research to illustrate the merits of a social resilience approach.
Diversity Is Our Strength: Improving Working Conditions in Canadian Nonprofits
This report by Imagine Canada, demonstrates what the sector has long known but not had the data to prove: our workforce is incredibly diverse but undervalued. 77% of nonprofit workers are women, 47% immigrants and 35% Indigenous and racialized people.
Migrant.e Take Action - Status Now!
