Canadian Immigrant Women's Association

Canadian Immigrant Women's Association CIWA supports immigrant and refugee women, girls and their families.

Our service areas include:

- Settlement and integration services
- Literacy programs
- Language training programs
- Bridge to work programs
- Employment support
- Programs for mothers with babies
- In-home support
- Family conflict counselling
- Parenting programs
- Youth programs
- Civic engagement services
- Crime prevention education
- Emergency housing

- Customized programs for seniors
- Health education programs
- Computer training programs
- Volunteer opportunities
- Legal services
- Tax clinic
- Childcare support
- Community development initiatives
- Home visitation programs

Volunteer of the monthCongratulations to our Volunteer of the Month, Tamana Ahmadi! Tamana has been volunteering with CI...
06/19/2026

Volunteer of the month

Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Month, Tamana Ahmadi!

Tamana has been volunteering with CIWA's Legal Clinic since 2024, providing dedicated administrative support and helping create a positive experience for clients accessing legal services.

A law student at the University of Calgary, Tamana brings compassion, professionalism, and a strong commitment to helping others. Through her volunteer journey, she has developed confidence, empathy, and valuable skills while making a meaningful difference in the lives of clients and supporting the Legal Clinic team.

Thank you, Tamana, for your dedication, kindness, and outstanding contributions to CIWA and our community. We are grateful to have you as part of our volunteer team!

Investing in young women is investing in Canada's future.Last fiscal year, thanks to the generosity of CIWA donors and s...
06/17/2026

Investing in young women is investing in Canada's future.

Last fiscal year, thanks to the generosity of CIWA donors and supporters, $157,000 in scholarships and bursaries was awarded to 119 recipients, helping immigrant women pursue education, advance their careers, and achieve their goals.

At our Annual General Meeting, we had the privilege of celebrating two outstanding recipients of the Gerda Bloemraad Scholarship alongside Gerda herself.

Congratulations to Krystel Hane, a Political Science student and aspiring law student, and Mehalet Demsa, a Certified Junior IT Analyst currently pursuing a Bachelor of Computer Science.

Both young women are pursuing ambitious goals and demonstrating the determination, leadership, and potential that scholarships like these help nurture.

We are deeply grateful to Gerda Bloemraad and all of our scholarship donors whose generosity opens doors and creates opportunities for immigrant women to thrive.

Together, we are investing in education, leadership, and the future of Canada.

You don't have to figure it all out on your own.Join CIWA and the Wellness Empowerment Program (WEP) from Renfrew Educat...
06/17/2026

You don't have to figure it all out on your own.

Join CIWA and the Wellness Empowerment Program (WEP) from Renfrew Educational Services for an interactive workshop designed to help youth build confidence, resilience, and practical tools for everyday wellbeing.

Learn how stress impacts your mind and body.

Discover healthy coping strategies that actually work.

Build resilience and strengthen your mental wellness skills.

Create your own personalized coping toolkit to take home.

Whether you're managing school pressures, life changes, or simply looking for new ways to support your wellbeing, this session is for you.

đź“… Friday, July 10, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
đź“Ť CIWA, 6th Floor Assembly Hall
👥 Youth ages 14–21

📧 To register: [email protected]

Take time for yourself. Invest in your wellbeing. Your future self will thank you.

A room filled with friends, members, funders, partners, staff, and community champions.At CIWA's Annual General Meeting,...
06/16/2026

A room filled with friends, members, funders, partners, staff, and community champions.

At CIWA's Annual General Meeting, we reflected on a year of impact, growth, and resilience while sharing our 2025–2026 Annual Report. Together, we celebrated the achievements of immigrant women, girls, and families, and the collective effort that makes this work possible.

Our Board leadership spoke candidly about the challenges facing Canada today—from economic uncertainty and affordability pressures to a rapidly changing social landscape. Yet one message emerged with clarity and optimism: Canada's future depends on the skills, talents, and contributions of immigrants.

As Canada continues to grow, the need for organizations that support successful settlement, economic integration, family resiliency, social inclusion, and wellbeing remains as important as ever.

The stories, outcomes, and impact shared throughout the evening reinforced our belief that investing in immigrant women strengthens families, communities, workplaces, and our country as a whole.

We leave this year with gratitude, pride, and renewed commitment to the work ahead. Thank you to everyone who continues to walk alongside us in building a more inclusive, prosperous, and welcoming Canada.

Read our Annual Report on our website and see the impact we are creating together.

06/15/2026

Join CIWA's Family Wellbeing Together Series of fun and meaningful workshops
Free workshop: Mental Health, Stress & Emotional Awareness
Date: June 27
Location: in various communities - confirmation of address closer to the date
Who can attend: Newcomer Youth (12–18) & Parents/Caregivers
To Register: Click on link below or
contact: [email protected] or 403-263-4414 ext 159
Growing stronger, healthier, and more connected together.

Register here: https://bit.ly/4aJPvef

06/12/2026

Build your future in Digital Marketing!

Are you an immigrant woman looking to launch a career in the digital world? CIWA's FREE Digital Marketing Training Program can help you gain the skills, confidence, and industry knowledge needed to succeed in today’s growing marketing field.

Learn everything from social media and graphic design to SEO, email marketing, data analytics, and more. All while building valuable workplace skills for the Canadian job market.

- Free 10-week full-time training
- Childcare and transit support available (conditions apply)
- Career-focused, hands-on learning

đź“… Next intakes: July 2026 & January 2027

Spaces are limited. Apply today and invest in your future!

Empowering Entrepreneurs Through Digital InnovationSuccess in today’s marketplace requires more than a great idea, it re...
06/10/2026

Empowering Entrepreneurs Through Digital Innovation

Success in today’s marketplace requires more than a great idea, it requires the right tools, strategies, and digital skills.

CIWA’s Employment and Entrepreneurship Clinic recently hosted an interactive mentorship session focused on practical marketing tools and the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in business success. Participants explored how to leverage digital platforms, streamline operations, strengthen their brand presence, and identify new growth opportunities in an increasingly competitive environment.

From aspiring entrepreneurs to established business owners, attendees gained valuable insights and practical techniques they can apply immediately to build, grow, and future-proof their ventures.

A heartfelt thank you to our mentors, Sarah de Joya and Kelvin Co, for sharing their expertise and empowering participants with knowledge that drives innovation and opportunity.

At CIWA, we are committed to equipping immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills, tools, and confidence they need to thrive in Canada's evolving economy.
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CIWA was proud to host the 2026 Alive Belonging Tour right here in Calgary.The Belonging Tour brought together leaders a...
06/05/2026

CIWA was proud to host the 2026 Alive Belonging Tour right here in Calgary.

The Belonging Tour brought together leaders across sectors to explore how inclusion and belonging strengthen our economy, workforce, and communities.

It was a full room, filled with beaming smiles, full hearts, and powerful conversations. Throughout the day, keynote speakers, panellists, and guests reminded us that belonging is more than a feeling. It is something we build through real action, intentional leadership, and everyday practices that help people feel seen, valued, and included.

We heard practical examples of how employers, industry, community organizations, and each of us can create spaces where belonging is not just welcomed, but actively enabled.

At CIWA, belonging is a vital part of the settlement journey:

Settlement → Integration → Belonging → Contribution

Congratulations to the Alive House community and CIWA staff for creating such a meaningful day of connection, learning, and shared purpose.

CIWA is proud to host the Calgary stop of the 2026 Belonging Tour, organized by Alive House.This inspiring event will br...
05/28/2026

CIWA is proud to host the Calgary stop of the 2026 Belonging Tour, organized by Alive House.

This inspiring event will bring together newcomers, employers, community leaders, government and policy partners, and HR and EDI professionals for meaningful conversations about inclusion, belonging, and what it takes to build communities where everyone can thrive.

Join us as we explore how belonging can move from conversation to action.

Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/belonging-tour-calgary-stop-tickets-1986162806420

Creativity became a powerful tool for connection, self-expression, and empowerment at CIWA through a special series of a...
05/27/2026

Creativity became a powerful tool for connection, self-expression, and empowerment at CIWA through a special series of art workshops for immigrant women and girls held in collaboration with the Mount Royal University Institute for Community Prosperity.

Led by Sara-Maya Kaba through The Artist as Changemaker Residency Program, the workshops created a welcoming space where participants could explore their creativity, share their stories, and connect through art.

Through hands-on artistic expression, women and girls reflected on their experiences, built confidence, and discovered new ways to amplify their voices.

At CIWA, we believe creativity can spark dialogue, strengthen community, and inspire meaningful change. Thank you to MRU Institute for Community Prosperity and Sara-Maya Kaba for helping create this empowering experience for our participants.

Address

#200, 138/4th Avenue SE
Calgary, AB
T2G4Z6

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

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