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Welcome to the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association's bi-monthly Grapevine Newsletter!
CIWA's 35th Anniversary Gala
"All Women Matter - Building a Future for all Immigrant Women in Calgary"
CIWA's 35th Anniversary Gala took place on Thursday, October 19th at Civic on 3rd and brought together over 340 guests which included funding partners, community members, corporate supporters, CIWA members, staff, volunteers, and dignitaries.
We were honoured to have the Premier of Alberta, Honourable Rachel Notley speak at our event. Our keynote speaker was Geeta Sankappanavar, a recognized international thought leader, unrelenting advocate for women’s equality and committed philanthropist.
The “All Women Matter- Building a Future for all Immigrant Women in Calgary” Gala raised money to support immigrant women that would otherwise be ineligible for traditionally funded services.
CIWA would like to thank the following sponsors for their support:
Platinum Sponsors
Gerda R. Bloemraad, Former Chair of CIWA Board
Strategic Group
George and Mary Turnbull Family Foundation
EFW Radiology
Gold Sponsors
Alsa
Conoco Phillips
Certus Development Inc.
McCarthy Tetrault
SAIT
TransCanada
Silver Sponsors
Avison Young
Hopewell
Jennifer and Brian Boulanger
Meiga
Storm Resources
Table Sponsors
United Way Calgary and Area
Canadian Western Bank
Calgary Parking Authority
Altitude Communications
Crescent Point Energy
George and Mary Turnbull Family Foundation
Melcor Developments
MaKami College
Southland Transportation
Strategic Group
Scotiabank
DataHive
Pekarsky & Co.
Calgary Immigrant Educational Society
CIWA is pleased to announce three new initiatives
Line Cook Training provides employment related skills training and services for immigrant women to enhance their occupational skills and employability as line cooks in large restaurant settings. Training focuses on professionalism, safety and sanitation, kitchen operation, preparation and cooking. Training utilizes client assets in ethnic foods to prep clients for specific tasks such as Asian vegetable preparation. Staff provide individual services (resume support, referrals, job applications, employment counselling, follow-up, etc.) to address personal and employment needs as well as increase job retention.
Child Development Worker Training offers mid-literacy immigrant women with the support needed to successfully enter and complete the Life Experience Equivalency Process (LEEP). Alberta Children’s Services developed LEEP to allow employed Child Development Assistants to demonstrate that they have the competencies to advance to child development worker certification without taking a college certificate program. CIWA will be working in partnership with BVC to ensure that the necessary supports are in place and are accessible to clients so that they are successful in completing the training and certification process.
Fast Track Employment Training for Immigrant Women provides multi-barriered women access to employment opportunities and individualized support to develop a new set of skills and find employment. The stream of programs proposed under the Fast Track Employment Training are designed to build upon the individual skills and assets newcomers bring to Canada and build associated skills required for the Canadian workplace. Customized individual training and/or certification will be foundational to all 3 streams that provides clients with the skill set necessary for labour market entry and success: Administrative Skills Training, Front Line Customer Service Skills Training and Protection Skills Training. Possible certifications obtained through thee streams include: ProServe, ProTect, Security Guard/ABST.
CIWA receives the Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award for 2017
The Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award honours innovation in the creation and delivery (or in the development, implementation and delivery) of adult literacy or adult-integrated family literacy programs delivered by a community organization in Canada. The adult-focused literacy program makes a positive contribution to the lives of the participants as well as the community and could serve as a model for other organizations to adapt.
CIWA received this award for the Food Service Industry Program that was developed to meet the needs of immigrant women with low literacy skills, limited educational backgrounds and little to no work experience in their home countries. Participants in the program earn three certifications during their training that prepare them for a career in the food services industry and even provide participants with a competitive advantage in the hiring and advancement process. During its first three years, the program served 151 learners with another 15 enrolled in the most recent period and an average of 60 learners every year. The program was developed in partnership with five industry partners and 32 different employers have hired graduates in the past year alone. The 90-day program culminates with one-on-one coaching and job search support for alumnae.
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