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Immigration Waterloo Region Weekly
October 04, 2021
Immigration Partnership Updates
There Are Many Ways that Waterloo Region Residents Can Help Afghans and Other Refugees Restart Their Lives
Join us in welcoming refugees to our region! Between April 1 and Sept 29 2021, 227 government assisted refugees from around the world, including 146 people from Afghanistan, started a new life in Waterloo Region.

Community members can support Afghan and other refugees in many ways: Providing affordable housing or primary care, making monetary donations to the Immigration Partnership Fund or Reception House Waterloo Region, donating clothing and other items, sponsoring refugee families, supporting family reunification efforts, etc.

Visit http://immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/afghanresettlement for more information on the Afghan Resettlement in Waterloo Region!
Follow us on our social media platforms for more immigration events and news!
Community Partner Highlights 
Immigrant Services and Interpretation Open

APPLY NOW: Interpreter Training Opportunity for Pashtu/Dari Speakers

The KW Multicultural Centre and other partners have full funding to sponsor up to 3 Pashtu and Dari individuals for fast-tracked interpreter training through Conestoga College. Because of current needs, trainees need to know English as well as Pashtu and/or Dari (reading/writing/speaking) – ideally from Afghanistan with a particular need for women trainees. The training will be virtual with classes during mid-week evenings, over 18 weeks from October to January. It is anticipated that the trainees get a certificate and be hired as interpreters on successful completion of the training. Contact ohayla@kwmc-on.com if you or someone you know is interested in this training. Please share with your networks.
The Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation (KWCF)’s Racial Equity Fund 
is Accepting Applications

KWCF has recently launched the Racial Equity Fund to support the organizations that are led by and serve people across Waterloo Region who are Black, Indigenous or people of colour. Approximately $320,000 will be distributed. The funds are intended to support those most impacted by the ongoing and systemic racial disparities that exist in our community. Deadline: October 29, 2021

Applications for City of Waterloo Boards and Committees Now Open

The Council of the City of Waterloo invites interested persons to apply for positions on its boards and committees. Volunteering on a committee provides an opportunity to be engaged with matters affecting the public. The city is looking for members that can assist council in strengthening Waterloo as a diverse and inclusive community. Deadline: 8:00am on October 18, 2021

Federal, Provincial and Local Updates
Municipal 
Government
To learn more about the latest information, measures and changes to legislation due to COVID-19 Outbreak across the region , visit the Region of Waterloo website.

In the coming weeks, Waterloo region will begin planning for a vaccination rollout aimed at children aged five to 11, ahead of an anticipated Health Canada approval of a COVID-19 vaccine expected to come this fall or winter.
Provincial
Government
To learn more about the latest information, measures and changes to legislation due to COVID-19 Outbreak across Ontario, visit the

The additional help comes amid a difficult time for some farmers who have been struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, that has brought on challenges including a disruption in business.
COVID-19 Information and Resources

"Despite a national unemployment rate above 7%, 55% of small and medium-sized businesses in Canada are struggling to hire the workers they need, which is limiting growth, according to a new study by the Business Development Bank of Canada." See more data from this CBC News article.
Canadian Islamic History Month
October 1 Marks the Beginning of Canadian Islamic History Month!

The recent discovery of the remains of Indigenous children and youth and events against the physical and mental well-being of racialized communities, such as the horrific Islamophobic attack in London and the rise in anti-Asian hate and antisemitism remind us that we must all do our part to create a safer, more caring and inclusive Region.

One way is by learning, sharing and celebrating Islamic History Month in Canada throughout the month of October! Here are some events and resources.

The Coalition of Muslim Women KW along with the Waterloo Public Library invite community members to celebrate together "The Islamic Heritage Month" with best-selling Canadian author Uzma Jalaluddin as she talks about her latest book, Hana Khan Carries On.

Check out some facts on Canadian Islamic history to learn about the rich Muslim heritage and contributions to society with these graphics developed by the TDSB Islamic Heritage Month Planning Committee.

The Coalition of Muslim Women KW recently released some key recommendations for the Federal, Provincial, and Municipal governments to effectively prevent and address Islamophobia at structural, systemic and interpersonal levels. 
Other Information and Resources

The province’s new $1.6 million Anti-Racism Anti-Hate Grant Program is open. Eligible organizations, including community-based, not-for-profit organizations, can apply for grants of $40,000 over two years for independent projects, or $100,000 over two years for partnerships between two or more organizations.

To better understand how migrant communities build resilience within their communities and for the broader society, this report, brought by Building Migrant Resilience in Cities, shares insights from a participatory action research study with migrant communities in Toronto, Ontario -Tibetan immigrants living in the Parkdale neighborhood and South Asian immigrant women in the East Danforth neighborhoods- who are engaged in collective action.
Virtual Events and Webinars
Fourth Annual Social Innovation for Refugee Inclusion (SI4RI) Conference: Sowing Innovation in the Cracks of Crisis, Oct 4-5, 8:30am-12pm
The Migration Policy Institute Europe (MPI Europe), the United States Mission to the European Union, the Mission of Canada to the European Union, and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) present this virtual conference to explore how the diverse landscape of partnerships, social enterprises, participatory models, and community-led initiatives spearheading social innovation for inclusion has fared during COVID-19. 
Multiculturalism @50: Diversity, Inclusion and Eliminating Racism, Oct 6-8
The Metropolis Canada's 4th Annual Forum will bring together leading thinkers in Canada and abroad to assess the state of multiculturalism domestically and in other immigrant receiving/pluralist countries. It will address topics of debate, such as: the impact of multiculturalism on immigrant integration, attachment to Canada, promotion of shared values, the impact on secularism and the accommodation of religious diversity and more.
Launch of Waterloo Region's 2021 Vital Signs: Vital Focus on Affordable Housing Across the Region, Oct 7, 1-2pm
Join Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation (KWCF) for the launch of Waterloo Region's 2021 Vital Signs report that specifically focuses on one of the most pressing issues in our community – Affordable Housing.
Virtual Town Hall Meeting with Police Chief, Bryan Larkin, WR Police Services, Oct 12, 6:30-8pm
The Coalition of Muslim Women of KW (CMW) invites community members to its second town hall with the Waterloo Region Police Services. The town hall will focus on the use of police body cameras. WRPS Chief Bryan Larkin will be engaging with participants and answering their questions with his team of officers. 
Let's Talk Newcomer Youth Fall 2021, Oct 13-Dec 1, Wednesday, 6pm
This is a Library Settlement Partnership program that helps newcomer youth 14-21 explore their career goals and community through the arts such as drawing, video, music, poetry, and more! Also, attendees can gain volunteer hours, win prizes, meet new people, practice English, meet with career mentors and have fun!
Tech Jam From Home, Oct 21, 12-6pm
Immigrant job seekers, get in on Canada’s booming tech scene! Companies are ready to hire tech and non-tech talent: Attend the Communitech Tech Jam to chat with hiring managers from future-ready employers .
Ensuring No One is Left Behind: The Virtual Care Equity Matrix, Oct 27, 12-1pm
Join the Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) Community of Interest and the Ontario Mental Health and Addictions Virtual Care Collaborative for a discussion on The Virtual Care Equity Matrix that aims to capture the equity issues that policy makers and providers need to address in the delivery of virtual care. It highlights the conditions that are necessary for everyone to access high quality, timely, equitable, and person-centred virtual care.
COVID 19 Coverage and other News

The Immigration Waterloo Region calendar has information about local programs and events for newcomers. Subscribe for a digest of events coming up in the next week or add your own events to share.
Feel free to send suggestions or relevant events/resources to include to the Immigration Waterlooo Region weekly by emailing Dan Vandebelt (dvandebelt@regionofwaterloo.ca) and Alejandra Amezquita Gutierrez (AAmez@regionofwaterloo.ca)
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