CIWA Grapevine Newsletter - September 2016

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

CIWA is pleased to announce several new projects

Passport to Canada: English Language, Literacy and Life Skills Preparation for Refugees is a new community-based project designed for refugees with limited education in their first language. Funded by Calgary Learns, the two-year project will offer English language, literacy, and life skills training. This project will also help refugees acquire basic survival skills and knowledge of Canadian culture. Participants will build the social, cultural and language capacity to participate independently and confidently in Canadian society. Instruction begins in early September.

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

Building Resiliency in Uncertain Times is a new project that will serve immigrant women who have recently become Canadian citizens and are seeking employment support. This yearlong project is funded by Family and Community Support Services of the City of Calgary (FCSS). Clients with 12 years or less of education will receive help with resume writing, online application, job search, and computer training support.

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

Project Footprint is a four-year long project funded by the Canadian Women's Foundation that will empower 20-30 immigrant girls between 9 and 13 years of age through themed activities related to protecting the environment, preserving our eco-system and engaging in the wilderness, which builds self-confidence and leadership skills. The project will include weekly girls group sessions held at two schools. The sessions will engage community partners to raise girls’ knowledge of various topics related to environmental protection, conservation, and nature. Group mentoring activities will also be organized for girls twice a month and experiential learning based field trips will be hosted annually.

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

Ministerial visit to CIWA

On August 10, Christina Gray, the Minister of Labour for the Alberta Government, visited CIWA to learn more about the programs and services that we offer to empower immigrant women. The Minister discussed government priorities and resources available to CIWA for the agency to continue its work in the community.

Congratulations to CIWA's Labour Market Bridging - Interpretation and Translation Program Graduates!

On August 4th, CIWA hosted a graduation celebration for clients of Labour Market for Volunteers: Interpretation and Translation Clinic. There were 15 clients who graduated from the program and one graduate has already found full-time employment in translation and interpretation. Four graduates were hired by CBE as part-time interpreters for the following languages: Nepali, Burmese, Swahili, and Cambodian. We wish these ladies all the best in the future!

CIWA provides summer internship opportunities to students

CIWA provides University students with internship and practicum opportunities. Jenna Yorke-Slater is a University student completing her Masters in Women and Gender studies at the University of North Texas. Originally from Calgary, Jenna joined CIWA throughout the summer months, supporting various programs and doing her own research with CIWA staff and clients in relations to her graduate studies. She captured her experience as an intern at CIWA below:

"Interning at CIWA was an invaluable opportunity and experience. I am grateful to have had the privilege to work with and contribute to a one of a kind organization with several diverse departments encompassing a vast variety of programs, alongside staff who prioritize clients first."

DONATE |  GET INVOLVED |  LEARN MORE