Calgary Immigrant Women's Association

CIWA is bursting with pride! Our incredible CEO, Paula Calderon, has been awarded the prestigious Alberta Immigrant Impact Award! This outstanding honour was presented by Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani, Premier Danielle Smith, and Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism Yaseen Mohamed. Paula's unwavering commitment to empowering immigrant women reflects the very heart of CIWA's mission. This recognition isn't just Paula's victory – it's a win for our entire CIWA family and every woman we've had the privilege to support. #AB #AlbertaImmigrantImpactAward #CIWA #WomenEmpowerment #ImmigrantSuccess

Our Line Cook Training program participants have outdone themselves, preparing an impressive Thanksgiving feast from scratch! Through CIWA’s Line Cook Training, our clients not only sharpen their culinary skills but also boost their employability. From mastering a range of dishes to showcasing their growing expertise, they’re ready to seize career opportunities in the culinary industry. Want to learn more about our Line Cook Training? Email us at [email protected] #CIWA

Did you know that taking micro-breaks can make a huge difference in how you feel throughout the day? Here are a few ideas: 💡 Idea 1: Set a two-hour timer and take a 5-minute break. Stretch, hydrate, breathe, or chat with a colleague! 💡 Idea 2: Every time someone comes to see you, stand up. Stretch and take a breath. 💡 Idea 3: Turn short discussions or calls into walking meetings. Moving while talking can boost your mood and creativity. 💡 Idea 4: Personalize your workspace with plants, calming scents, or instrumental music to feel more relaxed and grounded. Which one sounds best to you? Drop a comment below! 👇 Let’s see which idea gets the most votes! 😊 #TakeaPause #MentalHealthMatters #BreakTheStigma #AddictionAwareness #CIWA

CIWA's partnership with Action Dignity on a Mental Health Systems Change project provided a valuable opportunity for us to share insights on overcoming barriers for newcomers in accessing mental health services. A big thanks to our very own Vandana Sharma, Project Coordinator of Supports for Immigrant and Refugees Mental Health and Addictions (SIRMHA), for your dedication towards this partnership and your efforts in fostering collaboration between ethnocultural communities and immigrant-serving organizations! #CIWA is thankful to all our dedicated staff in their continuous efforts and inspiring work in the community.

Calling all change makers! Are you an immigrant female youth aged 15-30 with a passion for making a difference? The Change Leaders project is here to support YOU in bringing your world-changing ideas to life! 🚀 We're offering micro-grants to help you launch short-term service projects that tackle issues close to your heart, like mental health, reconciliation, building an inclusive Canada, environmental preservation, civic engagement, and more. What You'll Gain: ➕ Project Management Skills ➕ Budgeting & Campaign Management ➕ Public Speaking ➕ Mentorship & Leadership ➕ Working with Volunteers ➕ Teamwork & Evaluation Ready to step up and make an impact? Contact: Saba Jahangir [email protected] 403-263-4414 Ext. 254

CIWA's new alumnae of 30 clients from 10 different countries successfully completed the Food Service and Line Cook Training programs! Join us in celebrating our clients' remarkable achievement. Their hard work, passion, and commitment to providing excellent customer service and learning culinary skills is truly inspiring! We thank our funder, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for making this journey possible. And, a special shoutout to our business partners: Sunterra, Tim Hortons, Firehouse Sub, Kinjo, Chachi’s, Sodexo, Sobeys, Carewest, and Lina’s Supermarket. Thank you for joining us in our mission to support immigrant women's successful transition in Canada! Congratulations to the graduates!

Today, we're kicking off our annual Addiction and Mental Health Campaign with this year's theme: "Take a Pause." Take a moment with us to reflect on our mental health and wellbeing and to ask ourselves how committed we are with our mental health. Let us get started! by TAKING A PAUSE! Over the next few weeks until October 25th, we'll explore important topics, share valuable resources, and spread much-needed positivity. Please support us with your questions, comments, and shares. Our goal is to raise awareness and break the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health. #TakeaPause #MentalHealthMatters #BreakTheStigma #AddictionAwareness #CIWA This campaign is funded by City of Calgary through the Support for Immigrants and Refugees for Mental Health and Addiction (SIRMHA) project.

Meet Ariane: CIWA's Volunteer of the Month Arianne plays a variety of roles with an eagerness to embody her commitment to support women. She upholds CIWA’s mission through supporting special events, interpretation support, as well as through her role as an administrative assistant with the Business Centre and a substitute facilitator with one of the arts and craft groups for seniors. Read more about Ariane on our blog: https://buff.ly/4do5r4r

At CIWA, we are not just an organization that supports immigrant women, we are a community of immigrants. As we observe Orange Shirt Day, we honor the rich histories, languages, and cultures of the Indigenous peoples who have lived on this land for generations. We are grateful for the opportunity to live and work here and pledge to do so in a way that respects the original stewards of this land. Please note: CIWA will be closed on Monday and will reopen on Tuesday, October 1st. Let’s use this day to honor Indigenous communities and reflect on our collective journey toward reconciliation.

Congratulations to CIWA's 20 dedicated participants from 9 countries, speaking 7 languages, who demonstrated their commitment to personal growth and happiness over the past six months! Our Pursuit of Happiness for Immigrant Seniors program wrapped up with a memorable celebration with participants receiving their completion certificates, sharing delicious cultural dishes, and dancing away. It was a heartwarming reminder of resilience, growth, and the joy of lifelong happiness! A massive thanks to our 7 volunteers! Your support made all the difference! Exciting news: Our third intake is now open! If you’re an immigrant senior woman aged 55 , reach out to us for more info at [email protected] or [email protected]. #CIWA #seniors #yycnewcomers