The Unifor Social Justice Fund shows it’s support with a donation of $5,000 to assist IWSO with programming

Ottawa, ON – July 11, 2022… Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO) today announced that they have received a donation of $5,000 from Unifor Social Justice Fund.  This donation will be used towards IWSO programming across all services. 

“We are grateful to the Unifor Social Justice Fund for their recognition in acknowledging how important our programming is for the immigrant and racialized women we serve.  The grant will go towards keeping our valuable programming running for some of the most marginalized in our city,” said Mercy Lawluvi, Executive Director of IWSO.

Manager for Crisis & Counselling services, Josephine Basudde said, “For the women who often come to us traumatized from the domestic abuse they have suffered, IWSO programming gives them hope that there are others like them and they are not alone in working to create a better life for themselves and their children.  We are grateful for Unifor’s donation and the funds will be put to work immediately.”

IWSO includes a multi-disciplinary team (crisis counsellors, professional translators, settlement and integration counsellors, and volunteers) offering comfort and support to immigrant and racialized women in Ottawa and the surrounding areas.

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.  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 Unifor Social Justice Fund:

Unifor is committed to social justice in Canada, and around the world.  Unifor is dedicated to improving the lives of workers and their families in Canada and around the world.  One way we express that commitment is through our Social Justice Fund.   The Unifor Social Justice Fund promotes and supports the role of trade unions and workers groups in their efforts to strengthen democracy, promote equitable development, and contribute to poverty reduction, social justice and education reform.  The Unifor Social Justice Fund is a registered charity that is governed by our Social Justice Fund Board of Directors (which includes officers of the union as well as prominent Canadians).  Funds are negotiated during collective bargaining from employers, either on a cents-per-hour-per-worker basis, or as a lump sum.   In this way, workers signify that social justice is a key priority and that by working collectively we can make a difference not only here in Canada but around the world.