Support Group Sessions
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January 18, 2023
The Harry P. Ward Foundation Directs $2500 to Strengthen and Expand IWSO’s Support Group for Immigrant Women
Ottawa, ON – January 4, 2023… Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO), today announced that the Harry P. Ward Foundation has graciously donated $2500 to strengthen and expand IWSO’s support group for Immigrant and Racialized women to help them break the cycle of violence.
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January 9, 2023
Sponsored by TD
TRANSFERRING PERSONAL FINANCIAL ASSETS TO CANADA
Each year, many people immigrate to Canada to start a new life. Immigrating to Canada is a big step and if you have funds available to bring with you from your home country, it can be very helpful for necessities like food, accommodations, and clothing. The question is, how do you transfer these funds to Canada in a safe manner?
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December 7, 2022
Josephine Nakato Basudde
Meet the Manager of Crisis Intervention and Counseling Services at IWSO
Josephine Nakato Basudde is the Manager of Crisis Intervention and Counseling Services at IWSO
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December 3, 2022
Brendan Webb
B.A., J.D.
Barrister-at-Law
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
Garima Negi
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
Jean Christie
Building on Strength and a Clear Vision
Jean Christie served on IWSO’s Board of Directors for six years, and as its Chair for two of those years.
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November 30, 2022
Leadership for Systemic Change – Project Updates – December 2022
The Leadership for Systemic Change project is currently completing the planning phases. Here are some of the activities in progress...
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November 29, 2022
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
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
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
Giving Tuesday – Adis’s Story
I would like to thank the staff of Immigrant Women Services Ottawa for their incredible help and sup-port.
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November 3, 2022
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
IWSO AGM – Virtual meeting – October 25th, 2022
IWSO 2021 - 2022 Annual General Meeting will be held virtually this year on October 25th, 2022 at 6pm.
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October 17, 2022
The George Lunan Foundation Supports IWSO with Funding for Women Fleeing Violence
Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO) received a grant for $5,000 from The George Lunan Foundation. The grant will be used towards our programming aimed at women fleeing violence
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September 21, 2022
AGM October 25th, Save the Date
You are invited to IWSO's Annual General Meeting on October 25th at 6pm.
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September 15, 2022
Niku Shaeri
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
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
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
Ada Tony-Ilebor, Branch Manager with TD explains more about creating a good credit rating in Canada
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
Leadership for Systemic Change – Project Updates
The Leadership for Systemic Change project is currently completing the planning phases. Here are some of the activities in progress...
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September 13, 2022
Sharon Margison, valued monthly donor shares her reasons why becoming a monthly donor to IWSO is an important part of her giving strategy.
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
Isabelle Rode, owner of Vintage Soil Farm shares her passion for providing food to IWSO’s most vulnerable clients
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
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
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
UNIFOR Social Justice Fund Supports IWSO with Program Funding
The Unifor Social Justice Fund shows it’s support with a donation of $5,000 to assist IWSO with programming
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July 11, 2022
Addis
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
Moroccan Couscous with Roasted Vegetables, Chick Peas and Almonds
Servings 7, Prep 10 minutes, Cook 22 minutes, Ready in 32 minutes,
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June 12, 2022
Jenn Weib
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
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
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
Kanata Foundation Funds Support Groups for Abused Women
Kanata Foundation Funds Support Groups for Abused Women $1500 Grant from Knights of Columbus received
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June 7, 2022
Ada Tony-Ilebor
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
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
Leadership for Systemic Change – Project updates
The Leadership for Systemic project is currently in its planning phases. Here are some of the activities in progress.
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May 31, 2022
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
Andrew Mortenson, B.A., J.D. - EY Law LLP
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
IWSO’s Executive Director, Mercy Lawluvi
CanadaHelps Choose IWSO
CanadaHelps Choose IWSO as their Chraity of Choice for International Women’s Day 2022
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March 10, 2022
Women Inspiring women - International Women's Day 2022 #IWD2022
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
Solange Mattar
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
Leadership for Systemic Change – Press Release
WAGE FUNDS NEW IWSO PROJECT IWSO launches a new leadership building project for immigrant and racialized women
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March 4, 2022
Digital Literacy Success Stories
Dear Iskrena,Thank you for all the computer courses you taught from level 1 to 4. They helped me so much…
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March 3, 2022
Vietnamese Chicken Pho
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
Janet Riehm
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
Chris Paquette
Chris Paquette-Donor Story
Why I chose to support the Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO).
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February 28, 2022
Heather Thomson, December 2019, Bunia, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Heather Thomson-Donor Story
How IWSO supports my role as a nurse practitioner in Ottawa
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February 28, 2022
Hazelle Velicaria
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
The Canadian Association of Police Governance Supports IWSO
CAPG Directs $3600 to IWSO in general support of IWSO Programming ...
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January 8, 2022
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
Children Who Witness Violence Program Get’s a Boost
The Ottawa Community Foundation Grants $25,000 to IWSO in support of The Children Who Witness Violence Program
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December 14, 2021
Abigail Williams - Treasurer
Maria Choque - Member
Hosai Qasmi - Member
Georgette Morris - Member at large
Veronica Dingile Mbofana - Member
