The Unifor Social Justice Fund shows it’s support with a donation of $5,000 to assist IWSO with programming
IWSO is looking for individuals with the following skills or experience to fill current vacancies on the Board: • Legal background (Family Law; Immigration Law; Employment Law) • Fundraising and event planning experience • Social service background • A background in Policy • Non-profit sector experience.
I was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and this is why my parents named me Addis.
Servings 7, Prep 10 minutes, Cook 22 minutes, Ready in 32 minutes,
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.
TD Bank Group Directs $10,000 to IWSO programming in support of women and children fleeing violence
Dillon Consulting Limited is proud to support Immigrant Women Services Ottawa and the vital work they do in our community ...
Kanata Foundation Funds Support Groups for Abused Women $1500 Grant from Knights of Columbus received
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.
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.
The Leadership for Systemic project is currently in its planning phases. Here are some of the activities in progress.
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…
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.
CanadaHelps Choose IWSO as their Chraity of Choice for International Women’s Day 2022
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.
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!
WAGE FUNDS NEW IWSO PROJECT IWSO launches a new leadership building project for immigrant and racialized women
Dear Iskrena,Thank you for all the computer courses you taught from level 1 to 4. They helped me so much…
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
It is an honour to provide some background as to why I am an IWSO monthly donor.
Why I chose to support the Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO).
How IWSO supports my role as a nurse practitioner in Ottawa
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.
CAPG Directs $3600 to IWSO in general support of IWSO Programming ...
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.
The Ottawa Community Foundation Grants $25,000 to IWSO in support of The Children Who Witness Violence Program
The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company shows it’s support with a donation of $10,000 to assist IWSO with capital costs
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
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.
Elizabeth Doyle, an active supporter of IWSO shares why she wanted to give back to helping immigrant women and especially IWSO.
For many Canadians, their citizenship is obtained by birth, either because they were born in Canada, or they have a Canadian parent. However, Canadian citizenship can also be granted to Permanent Residents through what is called the “naturalization” process.
In law, racial profiling occurs when race or racial stereotypes are used, either consciously or unconsciously, and to any degree, in the selection or treatment of a suspect.
We typically serve the soup in ceramic black bowls just like the one in the photo, sitting in a basket . Ajiaco its a part of Christmas celebration for people in Bogota, the capital of Colombia.
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.
IWSO is governed by a women-led Board of Directors, the majority being immigrant and racialized women themselves. If you have ever wondered what it means to these exceptional women to actually have a seat at the IWSO table, read here what this opportunity means to them.
IWSO Connections has started a new series of Donor Spotlights so that our community can meet the individuals, families and funders who make our work possible in the Ottawa area. We are proud to feature the great diversity of donors who are all connected by a commitment to investing in gender equity for immigrant and racialized women. Meet Beverly Ensom and her son Paul Ensom.
This article addresses the following question: Once I am a permanent resident of Canada, do I have to stay in Canada?
Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO), announced that The Robert Campeau Foundation has graciously donated $3000 in support of Immigrant Women Services Ottawa. Funding will go directly to providing support to our many programs that support immigrant women and their children.
The Kiwanis Club of Ottawa shows it’s support with a donation of $2500 to the Children Who Witness Violence in the Home Program ... continue reading
Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO) recognized a significant donation of $10,000 from The Schulich Foundation – the philanthropic vehicle for Seymour Schulich, a leading Canadian businessman and philanthropist.
The Harry P. Ward Foundation Directs $2500 to Support IWSO’s Programming for Children Who Witness Violence In Their Homes
The Knights of Columbus awards $1000 grant to support IWSO’s programming
On a daily basis, IWSO works closely with a myriad of service providers, ensuring the immigrant and racialized women in our area receive the best interpretation available to meet their vast needs and circumstances. We are proud of the work we are able to do in this area and feel privileged to serve our clients.
Thao and her family came to Canada in the early 1980’s. Here is her settlement story.
Breaking the law - you may be doing it right now. There are a number of reasons for this, most of which are out of your control. Every person in Canada faces the same challenges in remaining law abiding. Allow me to explain.
Stuffed Grape Leaves Ingredient Checklist ● 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice ● 1 large onion, chopped ● ½ cup chopped fresh dill ● ½ cup chopped fresh mint leaves ● 2 quarts chicken broth ● ¾ cup fresh lemon juice, divided ● 60 grape leaves, drained and rinsed ● hot water as needed ● 1 cup olive oil
No, you are not required to hire an immigration lawyer to apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for immigration to Canada, the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) to make a refugee claim or file an immigration appeal, or apply to the Federal Court to seek judicial review of a refusal. However, even though it is not a requirement, I strongly recommend that you get legal advice from a lawyer that is personalized to your situation before making any immigration application or refugee claim.
I am sure that everyone reading this has probably wanted to ‘change the world’ somehow. I know, Barbara and I did… and we still do.
IWSO partners with Coastify in the support of Immigrant and Racialized Women in the City of Ottawa
IWSOMercy Lawluvi,Executive Director(613) 729-3145mercy@immigrantwomenservices.com Canadian Women’s FoundationRebecca Aird,Director, Strategic and Community Initiatives(416) 365-1444 RAird@ocf-fco.ca Local Community Foundation Supports Digital Literacy…
Mechthild Meyer - Past Board Chair
Mechthild's work with other immigrant women in Ottawa dates back 31 years, when she became the coordinator of OCISO's Immigrant Women's Centre. The lack of services for abused immigrant women at that time led her (together with Lucya Spencer and Alma Estable) to spearhead an advocacy initiative that led to the creation of what is now known as IWSO.
Her commitment to women's equality, anti-racism, and social justice issues inspired many community-based research and training projects, as the co-principal in a social science consulting firm (Gentium Consulting, since 1989). She has implemented numerous public health, social research and evaluation studies for the non-profit sector and for all levels of government.
For 15 years she also was a member of the qualitative research team at the Community Health Research Unit (CHRU), University of Ottawa, co-authoring many publications and conference presentations. Currently, she is Gentium's lead researcher in two developmental evaluation projects for Canadian national women's organizations focusing on the prevention of violence against young women (cyberviolence; sexual exploitation).
Mechthild is the proud mother of three grown-up children, a son and two daughters, who as young children were dragged to many immigrant women's community meetings. She plays in two community music groups (an orchestra and a big band), and loves to ski and canoe in the Canadian wilderness.
Mechthild has a Masters degree in Counselling from the University of Western Ontario and holds a teaching degree (Political Science, Physical Education) from the University of Hamburg, Germany. She also completed training in peer-counselling. She recently finished a Certificate in E-Learning at the University of Toronto.
Juliet Woodfield, CPA, CA
Board Member, Vice-President, Finance & Human Resources and Chief Financial Officer
Ms. Woodfield joined DCC's Executive Management Team in September 2016. She brings more than 20 years of public and private sector experience, and was most recently the Vice-President, Corporate Services and CFO at the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.
She has worked with a variety of government organizations and has also served as the Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program in Brussels, Belgium.
She is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary.
She has two daughters at university. She volunteers at the Ottawa Catholic Immigration Services of Ottawa as a career mentor for new Canadians and at the Immigrant Women Services Ottawa as a Board member (Treasurer).
Lori-Ann McDonald - Vice Chair
Lori-Ann McDonald is a Registered Social Worker, currently working as a Counsellor for Sexual Assault survivors and as a Women's Advocate at a local Domestic Violence shelter. Lori-Ann is an immigrant from Jamaica, now citizen of Canada who moved here with her family. Over the years, Lori-Ann has been gaining experience in the non-profit world with various agencies serving different populations.
She is a hard worker and even more caring person who seeks to see women living their best lives without fear of violence or anything unsafe.