Ottawa, ON – May 14, 2026 – Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO) has received a $15,000 Community Board grant from the Ottawa and Eastern Ontario Community Board, through the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation® to support the IWSO’s Children Who Witness Violence program.

This program offers critical, trauma-informed care to children who have experienced the profound impact of violence in the home and at war. This grant will expand the reach of the program, allowing IWSO to support more children on their path to healing, resilience, and hope for a safer future.

“We are excited to have received a Community Board grant from the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation,” said Mercy Lawluvi, Executive Director at IWSO. “This generous grant will significantly strengthen and expand our highly impactful Children Who Witness Violence program, ensuring that more women and children receive the support they need to heal and thrive. This investment is not only a contribution to a program, it’s a powerful affirmation of our shared commitment to building a safer, more inclusive Ottawa. Knowing that the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation stands alongside IWSO inspires and energizes our team, reinforcing our dedication to advancing our mission and deepening our impact in the community.”

“At the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, we recognize the importance of supporting youth who have witnessed violence,” said Nimmi Kanji, Executive Director of the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation. “By empowering Immigrant Women Services Ottawa to expand the Children Who Witness Violence program, we are investing in a future where every child has the specialized support needed to reclaim their potential after experiencing trauma. We are building a foundation for a safer, more equitable Ottawa where every young person has the opportunity to reach their full potential and thrive”.

“The TELUS Ottawa and Eastern Ontario Community Board is proud to partner with Immigrant Women Services Ottawa to support the vital work they do for newcomer families,” said Katie Preiss, Vice Chair of the TELUS Ottawa and Eastern Ontario

Community Board. “By investing in programs that provide safety and integration support for immigrant and racialized women, we are ensuring that their children have the stable, healthy foundation they need to reach their full potential. This partnership is a reflection of our deep commitment to creating a friendlier future for all youth in our community.”

About Immigrant Women Services Ottawa

The mandate of IWSO is to empower immigrant and racialized women in the City of Ottawa and surrounding areas to participate in the elimination of all forms of abuse against women; to provide culturally responsive services which will facilitate their access to community and mainstream services and provide other services/programs which will assist immigrant women in their journey to attain their full potential. We create opportunities for women as they integrate into a new society, rebuild their lives free of violence, and achieve their personal goals.

About the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation

The TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is driven by the conviction that every young person deserves the chance to reach their full potential.

As a Canadian registered charity and part of a larger global movement, we’re turning that belief into action. Since 2005, the Foundation and TELUS Community Boards have contributed $150 million in funding to over 11,000 charitable initiatives in Canada and around the world, helping to make the future friendly for millions of youth. In Canada, we have provided $137M in grants, and since launch of the TELUS Student Bursary program in 2023, we have also awarded 2,000 bursaries and counting, worth over $6 million, to deserving students nationwide, helping to ensure that every young person in Canada who wants a post-secondary education will get one.

Every year, we empower underserved youth, helping them build the skills, confidence, and lasting sense of belonging they need to thrive by funding over 500 grassroots charities and awarding over 500 bursaries. In 2025 alone, our Canadian impact exceeded $10 million in grants and TELUS Student Bursaries, directly supporting critical youth-focused health and education programs and empowering the next generation of changemakers to pursue their post-secondary dreams.

For more information, please contact:

Mercy Lawluvi

Executive Director, Immigrant Women Services Ottawa mercy@iwso.ca