IWSO’s industrial sewing program is now underway.  With the help of the Lucy Grossmann-Hansel Fund through the Ottawa Community Foundation, IWSO was able to resurrect this program.  Mercy Lawluvi, Executive Director of IWSO says, “We are beyond thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity to immigrant and racialized women wanting to break into the industrial sewing sector and we are delighted to have hired Mozhgan Fahandezhsadi as our new Industrial Sewing Instructor.”  

Immigrant Women Services Ottawa Annual General Meeting will once again be virtual this year.  The AGM will be held on Tuesday, October 24th at 6 PM.  Join us that evening to support immigrant and racialized women in Ottawa and the surrounding areas and hear about all the good things that are happening at IWSO.  Click the link below to register.

A huge thank you to Dillon Consulting-Ottawa for the donation of brand new linen, pillows, kitchen wares, and $300 worth of gift certificates for food.  Amenah Abdulhameed, Manager, Settlement & Integration Services says, "This very generous donation goes far to help the women that come to IWSO fleeing violence in the home." 

In September, IWSO hosted a legal information session along with women lawyers.  Topics discussed were focused on immigration and family law and landlord tenant conflict.  This was an excellent opportunity for the women we serve to receive information and have their questions answered.  To keep informed of our events and activities, follow us on X.

Bella Nceke, project manager for IWSO's Leadership for Systemic Change Project announces the next steps for Cohort #2.  Participants will be paired with strong mentors and exciting placement opportunities in Ottawa and surrounding areas will be offered.

IWSO extends our heartfelt gratitude to the remarkable women at Inner Wheel Ottawa for their generous donation of $5000. “Your unwavering support empowers us to continue our mission, fostering positive change and equality in our community for the immigrant and racialized women we serve,” says Executive Director, Mercy Lawluvi.  “Together, we are forging a brighter future together.”

It's never too late to join Friends of IWSO.  To mark a special occasion, please consider giving the gift of a monthly donation on behalf of friends and family. 

My favourite part of our weekly yoga sessions is the first few minutes when I get to connect with the women – chatting about their week, their kids, and what they would most like to receive out of the yoga session that day, makes me feel grateful to have joined such a kind and welcoming community.

Realizing her parents struggled to immigrate to Canada from India, Marieann decided she wanted to give back and chose IWSO as her charity of choice.  Here's Marieann's story.  

IWSO, with the assistance of our Language & Interpretation Service (LIS) is proud to offer our website in Chinese (simple).  This is made possible by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The Mac Voisin Foundation graciously donated $1000 to IWSO’s critical programming that supports Immigrant and Racialized women fleeing violence. Josephine Basudde
Manager- Crisis Intervention and Counselling Services says, "These funds will be used to help women who have decided to live a life free of violence. We are grateful and thank the Foundation for these funds."

Want to improve your spoken English?  IWSO offers FREE conversation circles at all levels.  Circles are offered online in a safe, women-only environment.  Join now to practice with other immigrant women & meet new friends at the same time.  Contact Christine, Gulalai, Isis or Lina via email in the flyer.

Lina says, "If you are a newcomer to Canada, this advice is for you, don’t be afraid of changing careers, leave the past behind, and start over. You can do what you want, it’s never too late.” 

On September 21st, IWSO was proud to be a part of Take Back the Night, a rally and march against sexual and gender-based violence, in downtown Ottawa.  Rajnish Sharma, Community Outreach Worker for IWSO says, "This event brought out hundreds of supporters who stood together to end Violence Against Women and IWSO stood strong with them all."

Traditionally, these fritters are made with precooked corn flour and filled with meat, potatoes, vegetables, and spices. Some people use shredded pork and beef to make their empanadas, but in my family, we always make them with meat, says Luz Clemencia Garcia, IWSO's SDR-Care for newcomer Children.