Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO) is excited to share that it has been awarded a $121,900 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Fund. This grant, distributed over 24 months, will empower IWSO’s Client Accompaniment Project, a key initiative within our Crisis Intervention and Counseling Department. The project is designed to assist immigrant and racialized women in Ottawa and surrounding areas who are fleeing gender-based violence.

The grant will be used to develop a trauma-informed, community-based accompaniment support system for our clients as they navigate their healing journey. By utilizing a volunteer support model, the project aims to overcome barriers that clients face in accessing necessary referral services. While volunteers will not be involved in decision-making, their presence will offer reassurance and empower clients, enhancing their confidence, autonomy, and resilience. We are committed to including volunteers from diverse ethnic and other backgrounds to reflect the communities we serve.

According to IWSO’s Executive Director, Mercy Lawluvi, “Our Crisis Intervention & Counseling program addresses the needs of immigrant and racialized women who face challenges such as familial and institutional abuse, harassment, and intersectional discrimination. The accompaniment provided by trained volunteers will be instrumental in helping our clients navigate the resources they need, despite cultural, language, and other barriers.”

Noushin Alyzad Ragheb, IWSO’s Manager of Volunteers, added, “This accompaniment project is unique in its approach and will provide vital support to the immigrant and racialized women we serve. We are eager to recruit volunteers from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about making a meaningful impact in their community.”

IWSO is grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for recognizing the importance of this project and supporting IWSO’s overburdened crisis counsellors, who often struggle to provide accompaniment services due to large caseloads and limited resources.  This Grant will help us continue our mission to empower and uplift immigrant and racialized women in our community.