Social justice movements are striding confidently into 2018. From the #metoo movement, a decade old hashtag thought up by African American activist Tarana Burke and given new life by the celebrities of popular culture including the high priestess of them all Oprah Winfrey, who with her sister celebs evolved it into a multimillion fund for survivors of sexual harassment and a new hashtag #timeisup; to the thousands of women and their allies who showed up for round two of the women’s march, it feels as if we’re experiencing a seismic cultural shift here in North America and around the globe.
The Business Startup Project is part of the many newcomer services offered to women at the Windsor Women Working With Immigrant Women.The Startup project is the first project of its kind in Windsor, Ontario - aiming to address barriers that may cause immigrant women from gaining economic independence.The Startup project will provide avenues through sponsorship and partnership to eliminate some of the barriers to business ownership, particularly in the agriculture and food service industry.
OCASI celebrates 40 years of advocacy for change as the collective voice of Ontario’s immigrant and refugee-serving sector. OCASI was founded in 1978, and has now grown to 230 organizations across Ontario. We have an exciting year of commemoration and celebration plans and will share updates over the next few month.
Join a new online discussion forum on WelcomeOntario.ca. The forum Working for Refugees: Discussions with Settlement Workers & Sponsors provides a space to foster the collaboration and partnership efforts of refugee sponsors and service providers who work with privately sponsored refugees. Contact WOforum@ocasi.org.
OCASI Statement: Systemic Racism and Islamophobia Report
OCASI welcomes recommendations by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage to update and reinstate Canada’s Action Plan Against Racism (CAPAR), and tackle systemic racism and Islamophobia.
If your clients include sponsored refugees, join the conversation on local partnership-building and collaboration efforts with sponsors on: February 12 with Paul Carline - Baptists of Atlantic Canada and Kelly Carline - YMCA Saint John; on March 12 with Louisa Taylor - Refugee613 and Don Smith - Anglican Diocese Ottawa.
For more information, and to register, click here.
OCASI Client Management System (OCMS) launched in 2013 is a solution developed by the sector for the sector. It can be used by multi-service agencies across Canada to record and retrieve client information on individual and group activities. More than 50 agencies are currently on board. Join us to help make this THE solution for our sector.
In June 2018, the Canadian Council for Refugees invites non-governmental organizations and others to attend an international conference in Toronto designed to enhance effectiveness in promoting the human rights of refugees and vulnerable migrants.
The London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership (LMLIP) 1,000 Acts of Welcome Challenge is a local campaign to end racial, religious and ethnic prejudice and discrimination in London by engaging residents in creating a welcoming community - one welcoming act at a time.
Butterfly – Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Network presented the webinar “Supporting the Human Rights of Migrant Sex Workers - Legal Training for Service Providers” on January 19 2018. Participants learned about legal issues and challenges migrant sex workers face and discussed ideas on how to support migrant sex workers and advocate for their rights.
Ontario Nonprofit Network recently hosted the webinar, “Bill 148 is here. Are you ready?” The webinar includes important resources for nonprofit organizations. Click on the links to listen to the recording (will be prompted to register) and view the webinar slides.
New Tool Simplifies Evaluation of Newcomers’ Supply Chain Skills
The Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council recently added functionality to its Connector Skills-Matching Tool. TransferAbility, the tool’s new addition, enables users to consider a range of options for a career move within/into the supply chain. It facilitates the transfer of skills for those in transition—including newcomers to Canada—by evaluating the user’s skills/knowledge in relation to 48 occupations.
Gender-Based Violence Call For Concepts
Status of Women Canada (SWC) has launched a Call for Concepts for projects addressing gaps in supports for specific groups of survivors in Canada (including Indigenous women and their communities, and underserved populations). Application deadline is noon Pacific Time, March 1, 2018. SWC recommends potential applicants participate in an information session.
February 13 - Show the LOVE to Tim Hortons workers
When Ontario’s minimum wage increased to $14, Tim Hortons immediately eliminated workers’ paid breaks, reduced access to basic drug and dental benefits, eliminated uniform and drink allowances, and even cut employees’ hours of work. On Tuesday, February 13, join Fight for $15 & Fairness to deliver Valentine’s Day love to the workers at Tim Hortons.
