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Read more about the article Understanding the IRB’s New Gender Guidelines and How the Update Could Affect You
Brendan Webb B.A., J.D. Barrister-at-Law
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Understanding the IRB’s New Gender Guidelines and How the Update Could Affect You

In July of this year, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (the IRB) came out with its new and improved guidelines for gender-based considerations. This new guide greatly improves on its predecessor by broadening what qualifies as gender-based discrimination to encompass sexual orientation and all gender identities; addresses how other grounds for discrimination and persecution intersect with gender; and finally provides guidance to decision makers on assessing credibility and conducting hearings with individuals who have suffered gender-based trauma.

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December 2, 2022
Read more about the article Garima’s Settlement  Story
Garima Negi
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Garima’s Settlement  Story

Being the youngest girl, I learnt a lot from my sisters and mother, and also realized how we all were different individuals yet the same at heart. Although we were a family we all had different preferences whether it was our careers, clothing, style or even food. That helped me understand how every person is different and what a joy it is to celebrate their individuality. It made me compassionate, understanding and accepting as a human being.

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November 30, 2022
Read more about the article Mazon Canada Supports IWSO With Funds to Purchase Food Vouchers
IWSO News / Newsletters

Mazon Canada Supports IWSO With Funds to Purchase Food Vouchers

Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO), today announces receiving a grant from Mazon Canada in the amount of $3120. The funds will be used to purchase food vouchers for some of the most vulnerable immigrant and racialized women and their children in Ottawa and the surrounding areas.

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November 23, 2022
Read more about the article Western University Study
IWSO Projects

Western University Study

Are you an immigrant, newcomer, or a refugee woman in Canada? We would love to hear from you about your feelings and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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November 4, 2022
Read more about the article Giving Tuesday – Yolanda’s Story
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Giving Tuesday – Yolanda’s Story

Yolanda (not her real name) came to Canada with her husband and six-year old son. She had faced problems in her marriage while in her country of origin, which resulted in emotional and physical abuse. She had hoped that once in Canada, the violence would stop as she felt that, indeed, Canadian laws would not allow this abuse.

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November 3, 2022
Read more about the article Giving Tuesday – Lyuba’s Story
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Giving Tuesday – Lyuba’s Story

“I am 43 years old, and I am the sole support parent of 4 children. I was born and raised in Syria, I got my university degree in elementary childhood education back in my native country. My family and I survived years of ruthless wars in Syria, and then to face homelessness and poverty in Lebanon.

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November 3, 2022
Read more about the article Pathways to PR for students in Canada
Niku Shaeri
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Pathways to PR for students in Canada

Niku Shaeri is an Immigration lawyer at Gerami Law PC. She represents clients on various immigration and refugee matters including sponsorships, humanitarian applications, refugee appeals and applications for protection, as well as other temporary and permanent residence applications.

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September 13, 2022
Read more about the article Cassandra’s Success Story
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Cassandra’s Success Story

My passion for advocating for the defenseless began when I was eight years old. We came to Canada when I was three, fleeing the aftermath of the Hutus against the Tutsis in the Rwandan genocide.

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September 13, 2022
Read more about the article Cake Recipe – Sfouf
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Cake Recipe – Sfouf

1 1/5 cup fine semolina 1/5 cup flour 1 1/5 cup of sugar One tablespoon of baking powder One cup Milk Half Cup vegetable oil One spoon turmeric One tablespoon Anis 1 cup pistachio (or Peeled Almonds Or pine nuts for Topping) 2-3 tablespoons of Tahini

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September 13, 2022
Read more about the article How do I build my credit history in Canada?
Ada Tony-Ilebor
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How do I build my credit history in Canada?

Credit – including your credit history and credit score both play an extremely important role in establishing and maintaining a healthy credit rating in Canada.

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September 13, 2022
Read more about the article IWSO Donor Story – Sharon Margison
Sharon Margison, valued monthly donor shares her reasons why becoming a monthly donor to IWSO is an important part of her giving strategy.
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IWSO Donor Story – Sharon Margison

In the fall of 2014, IWSO assisted the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) in preparing for CES’ 2015 university student competition. As a CES volunteer, I had the lead role in writing a request for proposals to evaluate IWSO’s Settlement and Integration Services program. The challenge for the student teams was to respond with a proposal for how they would undertake the evaluation. Mercy Lawluvi, then Manager of the program, was instrumental in helping me prepare the request.

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September 13, 2022
Read more about the article Vintage Soil Farm
Isabelle Rode, owner of Vintage Soil Farm shares her passion for providing food to IWSO’s most vulnerable clients
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Vintage Soil Farm

As a farmer, feeding people is one of the most fulfilling parts of my job but it is no secret that local, or-ganic, seasonal produce often does not reach our most vulnerable populations. That is why I reached out to Immigrant Women Services Ottawa in the winter to see if they would be interested in distributing our CSA boxes to their clients. A CSA, community-supported agriculture, is a weekly produce sub-scription that our members sign up for in the winter and then in the summer, they get a weekly box of veggies filled with whatever is in season.

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September 13, 2022
Read more about the article Needs Assessment Report
IWSO Projects

Needs Assessment Report

The Assessment aimed to fulfill the following purpose: ● Recognize the barriers/challenges for immigrant and racialized women in acquiring leadership positions across all sectors in Canada. ● Identify the strategies to address the barriers. ● Highlight the benefits and opportunities of increased immigrant and racialized women leaders.

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August 24, 2022
Read more about the article Benefits of Being a Monthly Donor
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Benefits of Being a Monthly Donor

How do we continue to better the lives of Immigrant and Racialized women in Ottawa and the sur-rounding areas? We come together, we give together, and we raise our voices together for change.

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August 23, 2022
Read more about the article SURVEY FOR IMMIGRANT AND RACIALIZED WOMEN
IWSO News

SURVEY FOR IMMIGRANT AND RACIALIZED WOMEN

UNDERSTANDING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SURVIVORS AND THE OTTAWA POLICE SERVICE IWSO is inviting you to take part in a survey if you are at least 18 years old and are an immigrant or racialized woman who has experienced abuse, violence, or controlling behavior by a partner or family members. The survey is available in 7 languages and only takes a few minutes to complete.

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June 24, 2022
Read more about the article Addis Settlement Story
Addis
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Addis Settlement Story

I was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and this is why my parents named me Addis.

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June 13, 2022
Read more about the article Jenn Weib Field Placement Story
Jenn Weib
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Jenn Weib Field Placement Story

As a first year Master of Social Work student (Carleton University) with previous experience in federal-level advocacy on issues impacting refugees and displaced peoples, I was keen to learn about the ways in which a community-based organization can support immigrant and racialized women as they settle and integrate into Canada.

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June 10, 2022
Read more about the article TD Press Release
IWSO News / Newsletters

TD Press Release

TD Bank Group Directs $10,000 to IWSO programming in support of women and children fleeing violence

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June 9, 2022
Read more about the article Dillon Consulting Limited
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Dillon Consulting Limited

Dillon Consulting Limited is proud to support Immigrant Women Services Ottawa and the vital work they do in our community ...

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June 8, 2022
Read more about the article Meet Ada Tony-Ilebor
Ada Tony-Ilebor
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Meet Ada Tony-Ilebor

Six years ago, I made one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make. I left my life, and my 12-year banking industry career in Nigeria behind to start a new life in Canada.

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June 7, 2022
Read more about the article What immigration challenges are there for women fleeing conflict in the Ukraine to come to Ottawa?  
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What immigration challenges are there for women fleeing conflict in the Ukraine to come to Ottawa?  

Canada has undertaken significant efforts to assist those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, including introducing two new programs to facilitate temporary residence applications for Ukrainians and expediting the processing of all immigration applications made by Ukrainian nationals.

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June 6, 2022
Read more about the article Ottawa Community Foundation (OCF) $20,000 Grant
IWSO News / Newsletters

Ottawa Community Foundation (OCF) $20,000 Grant

IWSOMercy Lawluvi,Executive Director(613) 729-3145mercy@immigrantwomenservices.com  Canadian Women’s FoundationRebecca Aird,Strategic and Community Initiatives(416) 365-1444 RAird@ocf-fco.ca Ottawa Community Foundation Supports Digital Literacy $20,000…

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May 17, 2022
Read more about the article My spouse sponsored me for permanent residence and we are now getting separated/divorced. Will this affect my permanent resident status?
Andrew Mortenson, B.A., J.D. - EY Law LLP
Newsletters

My spouse sponsored me for permanent residence and we are now getting separated/divorced. Will this affect my permanent resident status?

If your marriage or relationship to your spouse or partner was genuine, getting separated or divorced from your sponsor will not affect your permanent resident (PR) status, even if you obtained permanent residence through the sponsorship of your spouse or common-law partner.

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March 11, 2022
Read more about the article CanadaHelps Choose IWSO
IWSO’s Executive Director, Mercy Lawluvi
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CanadaHelps Choose IWSO

CanadaHelps Choose IWSO as their Chraity of Choice for International Women’s Day 2022

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March 10, 2022
Read more about the article Happy International Women’s Day
Women Inspiring women - International Women's Day 2022 #IWD2022
IWSO News / Newsletters

Happy International Women’s Day

Today, we celebrate all the women and girls who inspire others by showing leadership in the choices they make every day towards social, economic, cultural, and political progress.

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March 8, 2022
Read more about the article Volunteering at IWSO- Solange Mattar – Yoga Instructor
Solange Mattar
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Volunteering at IWSO- Solange Mattar – Yoga Instructor

Solange Mattar is a volunteer with IWSO offering yoga and meditation. She teaches every Thursday at 7:00pm via zoom to a lovely group of women. The online class is inclusive to all, gentle and a great way to end your day!

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March 7, 2022
Read more about the article Vietnamese Chicken Pho Recipe
Vietnamese Chicken Pho
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Vietnamese Chicken Pho Recipe

Ingredients: -1 whole chicken (or parts of chickens like legs, drumsticks or breast) it is best to have the parts of the chicken with bones to make the broth tastier -1 box or 2 cans of chicken broth -rice noodle (as much as you like) -1onion -1-2 inch piece of ginger -2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup of fish sauce to taste -1/2 teaspoon salt -1/2 teaspoon pepper -4 green onions sliced

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March 3, 2022
Read more about the article Janet Riehm-Donor Story
Janet Riehm
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Janet Riehm-Donor Story

It is an honour to provide some background as to why I am an IWSO monthly donor.

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February 28, 2022
Read more about the article Heather Thomson-Donor Story
Heather Thomson, December 2019, Bunia, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo
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Heather Thomson-Donor Story

How IWSO supports my role as a nurse practitioner in Ottawa

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February 28, 2022
Read more about the article Volunteering at IWSO- By: Hazelle Velicaria
Hazelle Velicaria
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Volunteering at IWSO- By: Hazelle Velicaria

When I was a little girl, I would often hear family members recount their personal experiences of leaving their beloved homes and humble roots, emigrating from the Philippines in search of a better life. Growing up, I quickly realized that these stories of sacrifices and challenges are common narratives shared amongst many immigrants.

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February 28, 2022
Read more about the article Telus Friendly Future Foundation Grants IWSO $20,000
IWSO News / Newsletters

Telus Friendly Future Foundation Grants IWSO $20,000

Ottawa, ON – December 10, 2021… Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO) an-nounces the receipt of a donation of $20,000 from the Telus Friendly Future Founda-tion™ to support the IWSO Children Who Witness Violence Program.

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December 21, 2021
Read more about the article NATILLA COLOMBIANA (COLOMBIA PUDDING)
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NATILLA COLOMBIANA (COLOMBIA PUDDING)

On December 7th in Colombia, friends get together to celebrate “el dia e las velitas”, a Christmas tradition in honor of the Virgin Mary. They light candles in front of their houses or on their balconies, cook traditional Christmas treats, like Natilla and Buñuelos and of course, they party

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December 6, 2021
Read more about the article Settlement Success Story
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Settlement Success Story

My name is Aida and I came across an IWSO poster at my adult high school in 2020. Determined to pass my Canadian Citizenship Test after a previous unsuccessful attempt, I was immediately intrigued and began attending the online weekly citizenship lectures and discussion groups offered by IWSO.

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December 6, 2021