The last week of March was a perfect storm. A gathering or cascade of negative news for our most marginalized communities and individuals made vulnerable by systems and political priorities that broaden and deepen the chasm between those who own and control points of access and those who are seen as expendable.
Merger: Kensington Bellwoods Community Legal Services with The Neighbourhood Group Community Services
The merger took place on April 1, 2023. The partnership will improve services by being better equipped to address the changing needs of communities while still maintaining both organizations’ objectives: to work with Toronto’s most vulnerable people and break the cycle of poverty.
Nonprofit Workforce Through The Immigrant Experience
OCASI Executive Director Debbie Douglas speaks with Imagine Canada about the immigrant experience in the nonprofit workforce. Wages in the immigrant and refugee serving sector are lower compared to the larger nonprofit sector, and many workers are not even paid a living wage. Listen to the podcast or read the transcript.
Refugees Are Welcome Here: Journeys to Justice and Joy
On April 3, 2023 Katherine Moncada, Wendy Ayotte and Alex Vernon talked with Moderator Mbalu Lumor about the obligation to defend refugee rights, and what we all can do to act in solidarity. This event was organized by the Toronto Planning Committee for Refugee Rights Day to commemorate the April 4, 1985 Supreme Court decision on refugee rights.
Prochains cours d’auto-apprentissage en ligne - Les inscriptions sont ouvertes
OCASI vous invite à vous inscrire aux prochains programmes de formation professionnelle : Pour connaître les détails de la formation à venir et vous inscrire avant le 25 avril 2023, veuillez
OCASI Mental Health Promotion Project - Request for Applications
The OCASI Mental Health Promotion Project is looking to recruit qualified immigrant and refugee serving organizations who would like to implement the Mental Health Promotion Integrated Service Model. Application Deadline: Monday, April 17, 2023
OCMS user tells us, “Thanks for a great product. Using OCMS has helped us track and understand our client and service needs across 3 regions, report results easily and consistently, make better informed decisions around resources and make impactful business case arguments for support and funding... great communication, timely responses…”
Training: Supporting Refugees and Vulnerable Populations in Small and rural Communities
FCJ Refugee Centre has developed a new capacity building tool and training on providing services to refugees and other vulnerable populations. The tool and training is available to agencies across Canada, including those in small and rural communities. Contact FCJ Refugee Centre to schedule a workshop.
Guide for Planning and Facilitating Trauma- and Violence-Informed Meetings
Developed by the Centre for Research & Education on Violence against Women & Children at Western University. The guide is a reference tool that can be used by those involved in in-person, virtual, or hybrid meetings that support trauma- and violence-informed practices. Learn how to incorporate trauma- and violence-informed principles into planning, hosting, or attending meetings.
Are you interested in refugee protection and resettlement, and the settlement of refugees and immigrants, and want to join like-minded people from across Canada to exchange information, network and develop policy positions on these issues? Come to the Canadian Council for Refugees Working Group meetings on 20 and 21 April 2023 in Montreal, Quebec.
The Well was born out of Ontario Nonprofit Network’s annual conference, where for the last two years, Black, Indigenous and racialized workers came together to network, relationship build, share information and connect about the issues that were impacting their work. ONN is now piloting an ongoing space for Black, Indigenous and racialized workers to connect.
Reflections on Canada's immigration narrative: A roundtable discussion
Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration program at Toronto Metropolitan University holding a roundtable discussion offering a critical reflection on the dominant Canadian immigration narrative. The discussion will consider what additional views need to be heard and explore suggestions about building an inclusive narrative. May 09, 2023 @ 6:30 - 8:30 PM EDT.
Apply to the Law Foundation of Ontario 2023 Responsive grants program. The Foundation is accepting applications for new projects that fill legal gaps, supplement existing services, or otherwise help address emerging needs by connecting more people to legal information and support, especially people who are not currently being reached. Apply before April 11, 2023, 11:59 PM EDT
Le Programme d’appui à la francophonie ontarienne soutient la vitalité culturelle et commerciale de la population francophone, en mettant l'accent sur l'amélioration des services de première ligne et la promotion de la langue et de la culture françaises. Vous devez présenter votre demande de financement au plus tard vendredi 28 avril 2023 à 17 h HAE.
The Ontario government’s Francophone Community Grants Program supports the cultural and commercial vitality of the French-speaking population, with a focus on improving front-line services and promoting the French language and culture. Application deadline: Friday, April 28, 2023, at 5:00 PM EDT.
The Ontario government’s Inclusive Community Grants Program helps ensure local government and community organizations consider Ontarians of all ages and abilities at every stage of community planning and development. Application deadline: April 20, 2023, at 5:00 PM EDT.
Ontario Trillium Foundation System Innovations Grant
System Innovations grants support collaboratives as they aim to understand and strengthen systems so they work better for youth. Application deadline: June 20, 2023, 5:00 PM EDT.
"A Missing Part of Me:” A Pan-Canadian Report on the Licensure of Internationally Educated Health Professionals
This report from the National Newcomer Navigation Network explores the barriers that internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs) experience on their path to licensure in Canada, as well as some facilitating factors.
A Bridge to Universal Healthcare: The Benefits of Ontario’s Program to Make Hospital Care Accessible to All Residents of the Province
Since March 2020, healthcare access for Ontario’s residents without health insurance vastly improved due to the Ontario government’s decision to extend hospital care to uninsured clients early in the pandemic. This report documents the impact on uninsured people’s health and access to care, based on interviews and survey responses from HNUC members.
Enhancing Eviction Prevention Supports for Older Adults in Social Housing
This paper explores the experiences of evictions among low-income older renters living in social housing to identify promising practices that can promote housing stability. Research on eviction practices within social housing, and with older adults specifically, is limited. There is an inadequate understanding of the factors that place low-income older adults at risk of eviction.
Ending Homelessness and Preventing Evictions in Toronto – Rights Review
In this Rights Review, the Right to Housing Toronto network documents the City’s past efforts with eviction prevention and managing the shelter system along with encampments at the height of the pandemic. The report includes key recommendations and considerations to offer useful reference points for the City to take a rights-based approach to preventing evictions and ending homelessness.
Refugees Are Welcome Here: Journeys to Justice and Joy 
