Farewell speech at OCASI Annual General Meeting by Ibrahim Absiye, President of OCASI. My fellow members of this Council, associate members and other colleagues, I want to take a few minutes of your time to talk about my feelings today about who we are as a sector. And let me begin with my own personal experience.
Immigrant airwaves: A radio show for new Canadians
CultureLink Settlement Services along with Ryerson University (CJRU 1280 AM), is filling the airwaves with information, music and news pertinent to immigrants. They do this through the community radio program, New Canadian Life. It’s a show run by immigrants from different walks of life. Some are refugees. Some have come in search of jobs. Some are in their teens while some are much older. Together, they script, host and broadcast New Canadian Life to help fellow immigrants and provide a bit of entertainment as well.
OCASI is facilitating a FREE advanced level e-learning course on how to respond to immigrant and refugee survivors of sexual violence. This training is meant front line practitioners working with immigrant and refugee communities. Learners will better understand issues of sexual violence and develop a supportive response for survivors with intersectional identities. October 18 - November 22 2017.
OCASI has produced a Mental Health Promotion Guide for agencies serving immigrants and refugees in Ontario, as part of our 2016-2017 Mental Health Project. The guide aims to improve the capacity of immigrant and refugee serving agencies to promote the mental health of immigrant and refugee clients.
Interested in hosting a free workshop to raise awareness about sexual violence in immigrant and refugee communities? OCASI has been facilitating free public education workshops across the province for member agencies as well as community members. OCASI will cover workshop costs and provide free copies of our graphic novel, ‘Telling Our Stories: Immigrant women’s resilience’.
OCASI participated in a joint submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council for its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of human rights in Canada. Canada’s human rights record will be reviewed in April/May 2018 during the 30th session of the UPR Working Group.
Join the Ontario-wide fight for decent work. Email Premier Wynne to ask her to strengthen Bill 148. The Bill can bring a $15 minimum wage for all Ontario workers in 2019, fairer scheduling, paid emergency days and more.
Join SALCO at their Annual General Meeting on Nov 1, 2017. The event will feature a presentation of “Telling Our Stories: Immigrant Women’s Resilience”, a graphic novel by OCASI, written by immigrant women to support immigrant women. At A Different Booklist, 779 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON. RSVP by October 27, 2017 to tel. 416-487-6371 or wimalev@lao.on.ca.
Released in September 2017, this Statistics Canada study examines changes in employment and earnings of temporary foreign workers (TFW) in the years before and after their transition to permanent residence. The study assesses whether the acquisition of permanent residence can remove restrictions on job mobility and improve the wage-bargaining position and job opportunities of these individuals.
Registration is open for the Canadian Council for Refugees Fall Consultation, to be held from Thursday, November 30, 2017 to Saturday, December 2, 2017 in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Register before November 10 to take advantage of reduced fees.
Status of Women Canada has launched a Call for Proposals for projects to address the economic security of women in Canada and contribute to advancement of gender equality. There are two themes, and the first application deadline is noon (12:00 p.m.) Pacific Time, November 27th 2017. Organizations considering an application are recommended to attend an information session.
The 7th Annual Ryerson Social Justice Week will take place from October 23 - 27, 2017 at Ryerson University. This year's program features 18 events from daily roundtables, panel discussions, lunch & learn workshops, lectures, and a commemorative art installation for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women organized by Walking With Our Sisters - Toronto.
