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Calgary Immigrant Women's Association's Bi-monthly NewsletterCIWA WebsiteIt is with great pleasure that we announce the launch of CIWA’s new website! Please check it out at www.ciwa-online.com. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Youth Advisory Group (YAG)Congratulations to Amarpreet Malhi, who has been selected to be a part of the IRCC YAG. Amarpreet is a CIWA client from the Pathways to Success for Immigrant Youth project. This initiative will ensure that youth’s perspectives are taken into consideration when advancing policy and programming decisions. IRCC recognizes that youth have a great capacity to influence their communities, create meaning and initiate change. The official launch of YAG will be held in spring 2019 with an inaugural in-person meeting in Ottawa International Women’s Day 2019
CIWA celebrated International Women’s Day with several events. CIWA’s Pebbles in the Sand Program kicked off the celebration at Knox United Church. Students spent time decorating, drawing, coloring, applying henna, playing bingo and participating in a potluck lunch. CIWA’s SMILES Childcare children presented flowers and sang songs to their mothers attending LINC classes. CIWA staff also celebrated with a high tea event. The celebration included delicious sandwiches, scones, sweets and tea prepared by our Food Service Training program. During this event, CIWA had a brainstorming session and slideshow presentation about the history of women’s rights in Canada. CIWA echoed the United Nations’ message for a gender-equal world through the theme of “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change." National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) ConferenceBetween March 7th and 9th, CIWA participated in the NACADA - Northwest Region 8 Conference. NACADA focuses on advancing the field of academic advising, providing professional and leadership development and networking opportunities. Every year, NACADA selects a non-profit organization to highlight and support. During the conference, CIWA’s CEO Beba Svigir highlighted CIWA programs and services to over five hundred academic advisors. CIWA also hosted a booth with items from our Arts and Crafts Market. Youth ForumOn February 14th, CIWA celebrated its seventh annual Youth Forum event in collaboration with The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth at the Calgary Marlborough Community Association. This year’s event theme was “Dynamic Daughters, Diverse Future.” Youth Forum provides a platform for Youth Mentorship Program participants to promote diversity and cross-cultural understanding by sharing their perspective on multiculturalism, tolerance and citizenship. Youth Forum was attended by over eight hundred community members including children, youth and parents. Daughters Day AwardsFrom left to right: Award Winner Fariha Khaliq; Award Winner Hiba Mahmood; Daughters Day Jury Chair and CIWA Board Director Alice Lam; Award Winner Katrina Samara; Award Winner Ann Le At this year's Youth Forum, four young and exceptional women were bestowed Daughters Day Awards. This award celebrates the lives, contributions and achievements of daughters based on an appreciation of gender equality in our society. Recipients were selected by a jury comprised of three CIWA Board Directors - Shairoze Damji, Alice Lam and Jade Duong. The awards were generously sponsored by Gerda R. Bloemraad, former CIWA Board Chair, and Shirley Turnbull, current CIWA Board Director. Senior Divas on a Dime
On February 6th, leaders from Senior Divas on a Dime project hosted and presented a final event depicting their yearlong journey as divas. The theme of the event was “Vintage Glam.” Throughout the room, there were many special pieces that represented the project leaders’ journeys including handmade jewelry, printed candles, decorative soaps, bath bombs, a cookbook, lip balms, stress balls and plants. Senior Divas on a Dime project was funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program. The project focused on increasing social participation of immigrant seniors in the community. The project helped senior immigrant participants feel confident, beautiful, strong and connected. Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) FoundationOn February 5th, CIWA received a donation from RBC Foundation in support of the Pebbles in the Sand Program. Their continuous support enables CIWA to enhance family literacy among immigrant women and their families. On behalf of RBC Foundation, Lori McLaren presented the cheque to CIWA. The Shoe ProjectOn January 26th and 27th, The Shoe Project in Calgary celebrated its third annual event at the Calgary Central Library. Thirteen immigrant women shared their immigration stories through the lens of a pair of shoes. The sold-out shows featured women from India, Iran, Tibet, Nigeria, South Korea, Eritrea/Sudan, Iraq, Peru, Turkey and the Philippines. The initiative was a collaboration between CIWA and The Shoe Project, an Ontario based organization. Canadian writer, Barb Howard, and theater artist, Denise Clark, provided mentorship and coaching for all participants. The performances received a standing ovation as the storytellers enthralled eight hundred audience members with their funny, bittersweet and victorious shoe memoirs. For more information about The Shoe Project, visit: www.theshoeproject.online |
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