28 Initiatives by Community Organizations and Groups Funded to Support Immigrants and Refugees
Cover image and press by Immigration Waterloo Region. View the press directly on their website.
Funding will strengthen the welcoming and integration of refugees and immigrants to the region
November Waterloo Region, ON – The Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership, together with the Region of Waterloo and Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF), is pleased to announce $1,164,040 in funding for local initiatives from the Immigration Partnership Fund for Immigrant and Refugee Initiatives and the Fund for Immigrant Economic Wellbeing.
Fund Review Committees, made up of eight Immigration Partnership community partners, reviewed 49 applications submitted through open call processes in August and September, which aligned with open calls for WRCF‘s Racial Equity Fund and the Region’s Upstream Fund. The committees for the Immigrant and Refugee Initiatives and the Fund for Immigrant Economic Wellbeing prioritized those initiatives that facilitate the welcoming, settling and integration of immigrants and refugees in Waterloo Region. Specific attention was given to applications led by immigrant-led groups and targeting immigrant women, youth and those who are racialized.
“We’ve learned even more about our community through this process and intentionally distributed funds in a manner that addresses a broad spectrum of needs. While we appreciate that demand for support still exceeds our supply of funds, we hope this will make a tangible difference in the lives of immigrants in our region,” said Tracey Hare Connell, Immigration Partnership Council Chair.
Through the Immigration Partnership Fund for Immigrant and Refugee Initiatives, 11 projects by local organizations and groups will receive $164,040 in funding. This Fund, held at WRCF, is made possible through the ongoing generosity and donations of residents, philanthropic foundations and businesses in Waterloo Region. Investments through this fund will enable recipients to develop targeted programming and meet the individual needs of Ukrainians fleeing war and Afghan and other refugees in the Region.
“WRCF is pleased to be able to assist the Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership by providing a financial donation of $20,000 to the Immigration Partnership Fund for Immigrant and Refugee Initiatives, as well as through support in managing donations received from individuals and organizations,” said Eric Avner, President & CEO, Waterloo Region Community Foundation. “We continue to work towards making it easier for organizations to apply for and receive funding for initiatives across the community, and we worked together wherever possible to share communications and align our approaches to maximize impact.”
The Fund for Immigrant Economic Wellbeing is supported through the Region of Waterloo’s Equity Fund. Seventeen initiatives will receive $1M in funding. Dr. Ernest Osei, Immigration Partnership Council Vice Chair stated, “The regional government’s investment in this Fund allowed us to establish a community-led, easy-to-access funding mechanism to enhance the economic wellbeing of immigrants in Waterloo Region. It was open to not for profit corporations, individuals and businesses. The selection committee prioritized a robust range of initiatives that will support immigrant employment, entrepreneurship and economic wellbeing across Waterloo Region’s urban and rural communities.”
Fauzia Baig, Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Region of Waterloo, also affirmed, “The partnership between Region of Waterloo’s Reconciliation and Equity investment fund and this initiative helped transform the community funding process to reduce barriers, share resources and engage groups who have historically been underfunded. By working cooperatively we are better able to respond to the needs of the community to create a more inclusive and equitable Region for all.”
Groups supported through the Immigration Partnership Fund for Immigrant and Refugee Initiatives:
Canadian Arab Women's Association
Church of the Transfiguration
Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre
Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre Inc.
KW Working Centre for the Unemployed
Muslim Social Services Waterloo Region
Nigerians in the Region of Waterloo
Reception House - Waterloo Region Inc.
Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Waterloo Region chapter
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Sophia
Woolwich Community Health Centre
Groups receiving funding from the Fund for Immigrant Economic Wellbeing:
Adventure4Change International
Bring on the Sunshine
Business and Education Partnership of Waterloo Region
Canadian Arab Women's Association
Canadian Aweil Youth Association
Centre for Family Medicine Family Health Team
Kinbridge Community Association
Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre Inc.
KW Working Centre for the Unemployed
Muslim Social Services Kitchener Waterloo
Nigerians in the Region of Waterloo
Ontario Learning Development Foundation Inc.
Project UP (Unleash Potential)
Reception House - Waterloo Region Inc.
The AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and Area
Waterloo Region Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian Crisis
YWCA of Kitchener-Waterloo
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For more information, please contact Alejandra Amez, Communications Coordinator, at AAmez@regionofwaterloo.ca or 519 501 3873.