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Welcome to the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association's bi-monthly Grapevine Newsletter!
Youth Forum 2015
CIWA's Youth Forum 2015, was held at the Genesis Centre for Community Wellness on Valentine's Day. The theme of this year's event was 'Building Communities, Empowering Youth, and Celebrating Daughters.' The event promoted cross-cultural awareness and understanding between immigrant and mainstream youth, as well as their families. It also celebrated the achievements of the Youth Mentorship Program at CIWA, a program that enhances intercultural understanding and provides youth with opportunities for personal growth through one-on-one support and group sessions. Youth and their families participated in interactive booths and there were also speeches and performances throughout the day.
CIWA honors three young daughters with Daughters' Day Awards
At the Youth Forum, on February 14th, three young and exceptional community builders were awarded Daughters' Day Awards. Daughters’ Day Awards celebrates the lives, contributions, and achievements of all daughters.
The annual event was created in Edmonton and highlights the importance of the daughters in our lives, regardless of age. It raises awareness about gender discrimination as well as recognizes daughters who are making a significant contribution to their communities.
The following three exceptional young ladies were awarded as Daughters of the Year, 2015.
Caitlin Prater-Haacke
Caitlin has demonstrated exemplary kindness, empathy and cooperation in her community. Caitlin stood up to bullying by posting 850 positive post-its on her fellow students’ lockers to show kindness and compassion. Afterwards, she continued this positivity by sharing the idea across the world and started a movement. She has continued to be an inspiration by giving gifts to bullied kids, sending cards of encouragement and becoming an anti-bullying advocate at schools and events.
Sheliza Kassam
Sheliza is the founder of Children’s Birthday Miracles (CBM), a non-profit organization that creates memorable birthday celebrations for marginalized children. Featured as part of Coca-Cola’s “Open Happiness” campaign, CBM has provided food, presents, entertainment and necessities to birthday parties at homeless shelters in Calgary, Toronto, Medicine Hat, and orphanages in Peru, Kenya and Tanzania. CBM has raised over $100,000, and hosted 30 birthday celebrations impacting over 3000 underprivileged children. More recently, Sheliza developed Sight Night, a fundraiser that collects used eyeglasses for developing countries, and has donated 2800 pairs to date.
Sara Abdelrahim
Sara is a passionate, prolific volunteer who is committed to giving back to her community and connecting with others. Her list of volunteer experience is impressive; volunteering for Making Changes Association, Immigrant Services Calgary, CIWA and the Salvation Army. Her ability to balance all of her volunteer commitments with the demands of being a high school student is remarkable. She is an incredibly well rounded person who knows herself, and always looks for ways to put her values into practice.
Nominations for CIWA’s Daughters’ Day Awards were open in December. Once the nominations were received, a jury met and carefully reviewed the submission. The jury evaluated each nominee and selected three young daughters as award recipients. The jury consisted of: Dr. Aradhana Parmar, Board member of CIWA and Chair of the Daughters' Day Awards Jury, Dr. David Swann, MLA, Calgary Mountain View and interim leader of the Alberta Liberals; Laura Manickaraj, a Daughters’ Day Award recipient in 2014 in Edmonton; Pamela Krause, President and CEO of the Calgary Sexual Health Centre, and Jenna Shummoogum, CIWA’s Communications and Marketing Lead.
The awards were generously sponsored by Gerda R. Bloemraad, a long-time supporter of CIWA and our clients.
Stay tuned for Daughters' Day 2016! More information will come available on our website.
Upcoming Event!
Come celebrate International Women's Day on March 8th!
Women have contributed great things to the world! Come celebrate International Women's Day with CIWA and 8 community partners at Cardel Place, from 11:30am - 12:30pm, to hear speakers and see performances by Urban Curvz Theatre, Circles of Rhythm and more! Also look for fun family events from 12:00pm - 3:00pm at these participating libraries in the community:
Fish Creek Library
Country Hills Library
Saddletowne Library
Signal Hill Library
Bring the whole family out March 8th to celebrate women around the world!
Equality for women is progress for all.
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