Grapevine Newsletter - April 2016

Welcome to the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association's bi-monthly Grapevine Newsletter!

CIWA receives Life of Learning Award (LOLA)

On April 21st, CIWA's own Nabila Ghaffer was honoured to receive the 2016 Life of Learning Award (LOLA) in the category of Learning Champion. Nabila has been recognized as an educator/facilitator who has made a great contribution to community-based adult foundational learning and supports the essential skills development in learners.

The LOLAs celebrate and honour the contributions and accomplishments in Calgary’s adult learning field. The awards are presented to outstanding educators, programs, supporters and learners to recognize their dedication and spirit.

Thank you, The Co-operators

We would like to thank The Co-operators for their generous donation to support the Refugee Settlement and Community Development Project at CIWA. Faiza Soloman, Advisor for The Co-operators and Tal Steinson, District Manager for The Co-operators presented us with a cheque that supports our efforts to increase the employability and employment readiness of Syrian refugee women settling in Calgary. CIWA will achieve this objective through a customized wrap around approach to addressing their employment related needs. Services include long term and short term career planning, basic needs supports, individualized employment counselling, employment related information and skill building workshops with a focus on English skills enhancement and connections to the labour market.

CIWA expands Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Program

CIWA is pleased to announce an expansion to Language Instruction for
Newcomers to Canada classes. CIWA will be adding 10 classes and will also be providing additional childcare space to accommodate an influx of students. CIWA will also be adding additional space within its building to accommodate these classes. This initiative will meet the growing need for more LINC classes in the city.

For more information please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CIWA expands Links to Success: Skills Enhancement & Internship for Young Immigrant Mothers program

CIWA is pleased to announce an expansion of the Links to Success: Skills Enhancement & Internship for Young Immigrant Mothers program. Service Canada has generously committed funds for two additional intakes of this program in 2016-2017 to accommodate client demand. This program has achieved outstanding outcomes for clients over the years.

Links to Success works with young immigrant and refugee mothers to develop a long-term career plan leading to meaningful employment. Clients receive computer skills enhancement, job search support, Canadian workplace preparation, Canadian pronunciation enhancement, one-on-one career planning and one-on-one mentoring support.

With this expansion, CIWA will be able to support even more young immigrant mothers to obtain meaningful employment.

Recruitment for additional intakes has commenced. To enroll or for more information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

CIWA HIPPY Family has first ski lesson

Winsport raised money to teach an immigrant family to ski. On March 8th, Favour Ogboruche and her family, clients of CIWA’s HIPPY program were the lucky recipients of a free ski lesson. Winsport captured their experience in a video. 

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