Community Partner Feature: Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA)

International Women’s Day (IWD) takes place March 8, 2023. It is a day to celebrate women’s achievement, raise awareness about discrimination, take action to drive gender parity, and collectively #EmbraceEquity. IWD’s mission related to health care is to assist women to be in a position of power to make informed decisions about their health.

In recognition of International Women’s Day, this month Mosaic PCN would like to recognize our community partner, the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA). CIWA is a culturally diverse settlement agency that recognizes, responds to, and focuses on the unique concerns and needs of immigrant and refugee women, girls, and their families. A non-profit organization established in 1982 as a registered charity, CIWA’s uniqueness is based on its gender specific mandate. Over the years, CIWA has continually responded to emerging needs of immigrant women and girls, developed innovative programs, established meaningful partnerships, and has come to be recognized as a provincial and national leader in outcome-based gender-specific settlement services.

CIWA offers programs and services that use a holistic approach to support clients in the areas of settlement and integration, literacy and language training, employment support and bridging programs, family violence, parenting, individual counselling, in-home support, civic engagement, health, housing, and community development. All clients have access to childcare and first language support during group sessions and individual appointments.

Quick Facts about CIWA:

• Offers over 50 programs and services for immigrant women and their families
• Host programs and services in over 90 community locations
• Clients fleeing family violence have access to emergency housing support
• Childcare support is available for all clients attending CIWA services (including services in community locations)
• Certified interpreters and translators offer services in 37 languages
• Collaborate with over 230 businesses/employers to support access to employment for immigrant women

In 2020, CIWA and the Mosaic Refugee Clinic partnered to create an incredible array of resources for both patients AND healthcare practitioners. Patients can find videos in 7 different languages that help them to better understand what to expect at the family doctor, a community lab, and more, as well as print resources to help them better communicate with their family physician. These health literacy resources can be found on the CIWA website here.

To learn more about CIWA and the other programs and services offered to immigrant women and their families, visit https://ciwa-online.com/.

Thank you CIWA for all you do to support and empower the international women who join our community!