"Credit, including your credit history and credit score both play an extremely important
role in establishing and maintaining a healthy credit rating in Canada." Ada Tony-Ilebor, TD Bank Manager explains more on how can you build a credit history and get a good credit score in Canada.

Over the summer, employees of Dillon Consulting in Ottawa, banded together to collect brand new linens for Immigrant and Racialized women in need.  "Women fleeing violence face the challenge of setting up safe and affordable housing for themselves and their children.  This donation makes the task a little easier," says Josephine Basudde, Manager- Crisis Intervention and Counselling Services for IWSO.

"The grant will go towards keeping our valuable programming running for some of the most marginalized women in our city,” said Mercy Lawluvi, Executive Director of IWSO. 

On June 17th, Inner Wheel Club of Ottawa, a division of Rotary, held their Annual Gala Dinner with the proceeds being donated to IWSO.  The evening of Old Hollywood Glam raised $4000!

The evening was perfect and so was the venue at TD Place.  IWSO staff members, clients and their children enjoyed an exciting soccer game and delicious food. Thank you TD for all you do to support IWSO.

Isabelle Rode, owner of Vintage Soil Farm approached IWSO in the Winter of 2022 with an idea of helping immigrant & racialized women in the city of Ottawa gain access to nutritional, seasonal produce.  

You are invited to IWSO's Annual General Meeting on October 25th at 6pm.
Please note that this meeting will be virtual only.
Join the meeting and find out about all the good things that have happened over the year and consider becoming a Member.

Upgrading digital literacy skills for Immigrant and Racialized women is something IWSO takes very seriously.  "Upgrading their computer skills ensures these women have the knowledge needed to secure a more stable future, whether it be for employment or managing their households," says Iskrena Puhleva, Computer Instructor at IWSO.

Niku Shaeri is an Immigration lawyer at Gerami Law PC. She represents clients on various immigration and refugee matters including sponsorships, humanitarian applications, refugee appeals and applications for protection, as well as other temporary and permanent residence applications. 

Reham Abdalla is IWSO's new Project Officer for the Leadership for Systemic Change project.  To find out more about the progress made over the last three months with the planning phase of this project, click below.

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

"My passion for advocating for the defenceless began when I was eight years old. We came to Canada when I was three, fleeing the aftermath of the Hutus against the Tutsis in the Rwandan genocide."

"Being a monthly donor draws me closer to IWSO.  I think of IWSO at least monthly, not just once or twice a year.  Monthly donors are also privy to news from time to time before it’s shared with a wider audience.  In a way, it’s like being a member of a large extended family," says Sharon Margison, a valued monthly donor.

This summer IWSO and Vintage Soil Farms tested a pilot project to deliver farm fresh produce to the most vulnerable clients we serve.  This project exceed our expectations and we would like to keep this project running into the Fall.  If you are interested, please visit our donation page on CanadaHelps, dedicate your donation to "Vintage Soil Farms" and we will make sure to continue extending Farm Shares to our clients.

Want to improve your spoken English?  IWSO offers FREE conversation circles at all levels from beginner to advanced.  These circles are offered online and will give you a safe, women-only environment to practice with other immigrant women at your level.  It's a great way to meet new friends and practice your English all at the same time.  Why not give it a try?  Contact Christine, Amenah, Ambrosio or Shiree via email.

This month, Soukaina, an IWSO Crisis Counselor has shared with us her recipe for Sfouf, a moist tumeric cake with pistachios.  It looks delicious.  If you give it a try, let us know how it turned out.