Happy International Women’s Day: Celebrating Newcomer Women’s Accomplishments at Todmorden Mills Heritage Site
TORONTO (ONTARIO) March 8th, 2023 – In light of International Women’s Day, Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto and the Toronto History Museums partner to host a Conference showcasing the voices of Newcomer Women.
This conference, held at Todmorden Mills Heritage Site (67 Pottery Rd, Toronto, ON will recognize the exceptional work of all the newcomer women in the Social Justice Lab Fellowship (SJL) and the Advanced Leadership Program (ALP). This day celebrates the graduations of the ALP women, and awards them their completion certificates. The day will welcome Immigrant Women Industry leaders to view and respond to the SJL final presentations. Additionally, a discussion panel brings women from both programs (ALP & SJL) together to illuminate barriers facing newcomer women gaining meaningful employment.
“I am delighted that we are hosting this conference to shed light on the contributions newcomer women make in our society, as well as to address the systemic barriers they face in accessing the labour market. We will highlight one of our programs that creates pathways for these women to enter, remain and advance in the labour market, and will celebrate the graduation of 75 newcomer women from this program.” Sara Asalya, NEW Executive Director
The Social Justice Lab Fellowship, funded by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, is a unique opportunity for newcomer women to engage and impact issues in their lives, communities, and the world. This program leverages expert newcomer women with knowledge of advocacy, solidarity, EDI, mobilization, and pressing issues facing newcomer women today. The women research, design, implement and present their social justice initiatives to industry leaders.
The Sister2Sister Advanced Leadership Program (ALP) is a skills and leadership development program that bridges the gap between employer needs and immigrant women skills through intensive training in soft and hard skills capped by a paid internship. This Employment Ontario Program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
“Immigrants make our province stronger and our culture richer,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Our government is proud to be funding the Newcomer Women’s Services’ Advanced Leadership program to help newcomer women find meaningful jobs in their communities, earning bigger paycheques for themselves and their families.”
ALP is offered in partnership with Schulich Executive Education, a strategic business unit within the Schulich School of Business at York University. The centerpiece of the program is a foundational Project Management certificate – a highly transferable and recognized credential offered by Schulich. The program offers a go-to-market strategic plan, employment readiness, career coaching and a paid internship through a robust partner network.
To learn about the agenda for the day, click here.
About Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto
The Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto (NEW) is an award-winning not-for-profit charity organization that was founded by a group of Latin American refugees in 1983 with a vision of strong women building strong communities. A multi-service agency with operations in two Toronto locations serving 800+ Immigrants and Refugees annually. The agency was awarded a Non-profit Employer of Choice Award in 2020! The Canadian Non-profit Employer of Choice™ Awards (NEOC) recognizes organizations across Canada that have committed themselves to better business management practices to achieve their mission. With almost 40 years of operations, NEW has been providing settlement, employment, youth programs, and services, as well as English language training for newcomers and immigrants. NEW also delivers special programs focused on immigrant women empowerment, leadership and skills development, and mentorship and career advancement for immigrant and refugee women.
About the Toronto History Museums
The Toronto History Museums are a collection of 10 historic sites owned and operated by the City of Toronto with the mission to collect, preserve, research,interpret, exhibit, and enhance the understanding of Toronto’s diverse stories through engaging and exciting experiences. We provide collaborative spaces for curatorial stories to be shared that capture the diverse experiences and perspectives of our people. Come and be inspired by the place we call Toronto!
The Toronto History Museums hereby thanks all participants of this Newcomer Women’s Conference (speakers, facilitators, partners and sponsors) involved for their commitment and support in the creation and amplification of untold stories from diverse perspectives.
Press Contact:
Sara Asalya, Executive Director
Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto