Ottawa, ON – February 20, 2024

Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO) received a donation for $25,200 from Interac Corp. through their annual employee giving & diversity week campaign. The donation will be used towards our programming aimed at Women Fleeing Violence.

“We are grateful to the staff at Interac for  their generous investment in our services that  provide immigrant and racialized women, and their families in the City of Ottawa and the surrounding area, with the support and tools needed to escape violence they are experiencing.  These funds will significantly improve the lives of the women and children we serve,” says Mercy Lawluvi, Executive Director of IWSO.

“Programs for newcomer women and their children who are fleeing violence in their homes or from war need the support of our whole community to move forward with their new lives in Canada.  IWSO is unique in providing culturally appropriate support to the women and children we serve so they can lead healthier lives in the future.  We are deeply grateful to the staff of Interac for their donation,” says IWSO Manager for Crisis Intervention and Counseling Services, Josphine Basudde.

“In December, we held our annual Giving & Diversity Week campaign where our employees raised funds in support of local organizations that support newcomers to Canada. Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO) was one of the organizations we raised funds for, and we are happy to support all the incredible work they do in the Ottawa community for newcomer

women and their children,” says Peter Seney, Lead, Corporate Citizenship & Employer Brand at Interac.

IWSO’s unique programs for immigrant women fleeing violence includes services provided by a multidisciplinary team of crisis counsellors, professional translators, settlement and integration counsellors, and volunteers. Clients are encouraged to participate in facilitated peer-support groups to encourage new connections and friendships. While accessing services mothers can leave their children in IWSO’s onsite drop-in playroom that is, supervised by professional, multilingual staff.

About Immigrant Women Services Ottawa:

Immigrant Women Services Ottawa is a community-based agency serving immigrant and racialized women.  We create opportunities for women as they integrate into a new society, rebuild their lives free of violence, and achieve their personal goals. 

About Interac:

Interac Corp. empowers Canadians to access, spend and send funds whenever and from wherever they choose. With nearly 300 financial institutions connected to our network, we enable payment and ID experiences that support Canadians’ accelerated use of safe and digital payments while prioritizing interoperability, security, privacy, and inclusivity. We are proud to be one of Canada’s leading and most trusted financial brands, with Canadians choosing Interac products an average of 18 million times a day to pay and exchange money. Interac champions workplace culture and corporate citizenship based on the principles of responsibility, diversity and inclusion.