There are two initiatives that have been my focus for the past few weeks that I want to share with you. While the links between the two may not be casually apparent, they are related as both their goals are about change – attitudinal and systems change.
Windsor Women Working With Immigrant Women premiered the documentary, "Through Their Eyes –Stories of Refugee Youth”, a film about the journeys, challenges, and resilience of refugee youth and their families in Windsor, on June 20, 2016 to mark World Refugee Day. In it newcomer youth take an honest look at the lives and experiences of refugee-hood before and after arriving in Windsor.
This city is one of the most diverse and welcoming places in the world. Let's keep it that way. We're the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants and we believe that our multiculturalism is what makes us great. Our Toronto is a Toronto for all.
We are accepting applications for the popular OCASI School for Social Justice (SSJ) 2016. The SSJ is a participatory capacity building initiative to strengthen social policy analysis, community organizing, and action for social justice, to be held between September and November 2016. Anyone from an OCASI Member Agency can apply.Application deadline is Friday July 22, 2016.
We are inviting session proposals for the 2016 OCASI Executive Directors Forum to be held at the Westin Prince Hotel in Toronto on November 9 & 10, 2016. Submission deadline isWednesday July 27, 2016.
Article Series: Self-Care for the Immigrant and Refugee Serving Sector by Aina-Nia Ayo'dele (July 2016)
How are you handling stress at work? If your answer is "o.k." to "not good at all", you may want to cry at yourself or the situation that is causing you stress? Laughter is one of the oldest healing art and has been reported to reduce the levels of stress hormones...
Canadians can get involved by providing a written submission online untilAugust 5, 2016. The government of Canada will also hold round-table discussions across Canada to consult with stakeholders. The feedback is to guide decisions on the future of immigration in Canada.
Government should strengthen Syrian refugee supports
The Senate Committee on Human Rights has concluded that Syrian refugees have urgent financial, mental health and educational needs that the federal government must address, in its study on the integration of the newly-arrived refugees. Read the report for the Committee’s six preliminary observations. A full report of recommendations will be released in the fall.
The Government of Canada wants your input as they work with the provinces and territories to develop a new National Housing Strategy. Make your voice heard by taking a brief survey or submit your views in writing before October 21, 2016.
Ontario Launches Public Community Meetings on Anti-Racism
Ontario is holding a series of community meetings across the province to hear ideas on addressing systemic racism. The meetings are also a chance to learn more about Ontario’s new Anti-Racism Directorate, created in February 2016 to address and prevent systemic racism in government policy, legislation, programs and services. The first meeting will be held in Toronto on July 14.
The AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) has developed two valuable new tools:The Trans Inclusion Pocket Guide and Supporting Mothers in Ways that Work. These resources are designed specifically for service providers to ensure that services and interventions are inclusive of all women as well as creating safe spaces for them.
Ontario is piloting a new program in Ottawa, Thunder Bay and Toronto that will give survivors of sexual assault access to free legal advice, regardless of how much time has passed since the incident. Starting June 28, survivors of sexual assault in the 3 pilot cities can get up to four hours of free, confidential advice from a lawyer.
