CIWA Grapevine Newsletter - January 2017

Welcome to the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association's bi-monthly Grapevine Newsletter! 

Congratulations to CIWA's Matched Savings Circle Graduates

Nineteen women graduated from CIWA's Matched Savings Circle Program on November 17, 2017. These dedicated women have all worked very hard towards saving up for their chosen asset, including RESPs, medical/dental expenses and many others.  

CIWA was also proud to take part in Find Christmas Downtown event. CIWA decorated a tree that was on display at the CORE shopping mall for the month of December and it was then donated to a family in need. CIWA’s tree was decorated in purple and green and staff members wrote ‘Merry Christmas’ in 18 different languages on Christmas balls ornaments. CIWA was pleased to be able to give to a family in need during the holiday season.

CIWA Celebrates 35 Years of Service

CIWA is pleased to announce that in 2017, our agency is celebrating 35 years of service in the community. CIWA was established in 1982 with the goal of addressing the barriers, needs and concerns of immigrant and refugee women, girls and their families. Throughout its 35 year history, CIWA has developed innovative programs, entered into partnerships and become an organisation that is truly responsive to the unique and diverse needs of its community. CIWA will be proudly celebrating this milestone and we would like you to join us for our anniversary gala, All Women Matter - Building a Future for All Immigrant Women in Calgary.

Save the date: October 19, 2017.

More information and details will come available on CIWA's website.

CIWA launches Career Focus 

CIWA is pleased to announce a new project!
Career Focus is a project designed to provide career-related work experience to 15 employment ready immigrant youth.  Participants are men and women between the ages of 15-30 with 1-2 years of job experience and ready to start their careers in Canada. Funded by Service Canada, this yearlong project will provide a 20 week paid work placement in line with participants’ field of study and career goals.  Pre-employment workshops will be offered as well as advanced employability skills training during the work placement.

For more information please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

CIWA Board Member Profile: Sarah J. King D'Souza

Sarah J. King D’Souza, QC is CIWA's past Board Chair.  As a volunteer Board Member, Sarah has been a positive role model to many immigrant women affiliated with CIWA as staff, volunteers and clients. Her leadership has contributed to the positive image of CIWA and our credibility as a professional association. She has connected CIWA to the legal community and has also connected professional immigrant women with practicum employment opportunities in the community.

Since 2013, Sarah has served on CIWA's Board of Directors and held the position as Board Chair from 2014 - 2015, and currently holds the position of past Board Chair.

The Shoe Project a Success 

CIWA is pleased to report to the community about our innovative and impactful partnership with The Shoe Project. Founded in Toronto in 2011 by award winning Canadian author Katherine Govier, The Shoe Project is a nation-wide program that amplifies the voices of immigrant women through storytelling. Immigrant women receive extensive writing instruction, mentorship, voice coaching and the program culminates with a public performance. CIWA has been engaged with The Shoe Project for their Calgary residence for the past 6 months. The sold-out Calgary performance took place on January 25th at the Engineered Aired Theatre in Arts Commons. Ten immigrant women told compelling, moving stories about their arrival to Canada and their integration into a Canadian community through the lens of a pair of shoes. Her honour Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Lois Mitchell was present at the performance and it was a fun, successful night of storytelling.

The Shoe Project will step out to Halifax and Vancouver in 2017 and will also host another session in Calgary. More information about The Shoe Project can be found online.

DONATE |  GET INVOLVED |  LEARN MORE