In the last few weeks, we lost two stalwarts of the sector – Kay Blair and Fred Franklin. Both were extraordinary leaders in the social justice work of the sector, Kay with a focus on immigrant settlement, and women economic and social empowerment; and Fred on refugee protection and detention issues for all those imprisoned, refugees or not.

A Professional Development/Training Opportunity for Community Service Providers and legal clinic caseworkers

At this workshop, find out about the residency requirements for accessing various government benefits, including Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP), Old Age Security (OAS), Canada Child Benefit (CCB), and Toronto subsidized housing. Let’s explore what role community service providers could play to assist their clients.

Mental Health: A Training Series for Frontline Workers Serving Immigrants and Refugees

This OCASI project is part of ongoing work and dialogue within the sector to create effective service provision.

The goal of the Mental Health: A Training Series for Community Workers Serving Immigrants and Refugees project is to provide:

a) face to face interactive workshops; and

Shut it Down: Challenging Islamophobia, xenophobia and racism in our communities

When: Wednesday November 9, 2016, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Where: Westin Prince Hotel, 900 York Mills Rd, Toronto
(on York Mills Rd near Don Mills)

A panel presentation at OCASI AGM 2016 featuring:

OCASI is excited to announce 16 hours of facilitator-led training by the Positive Spaces Initiative that addresses all components of service delivery within the Settlement Services for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) communities. OCASI is seeking agencies that serve or have an interest in serving LGBTQ newcomers to participate in these exciting trainings, which are FREE OF CHARGE!

Where do the trainings take place?

LASI and OCASI Statement on the death of Abdirahman Abdi

[La version française se trouve plus loin.]

Ottawa/July 28, 2016 - Local Agencies Serving Immigrants (LASI) – Ottawa and OCASI – Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants are deeply concerned and saddened by the death of Abdirahman Abdi.

OCASI In the Field newsletter of July 2016. You can read the latest Executive Director's message and OCASI member feature. In addition, check out the OCASI happenings and OCASI sector happening sections.

OCASI Executive Director Debbie Douglas has been appointed to the Ontario Income Security Reform Working Group.

Ontario has established the Working Group to help guide the province's efforts to reduce poverty, support people in their efforts to participate in the economy, and provide services in a way that makes sense to the people who need them.

The group is to: