Calgary Immigrant Women's Association

How do we get addicted without even realizing it? Addiction sneaks in without knocking. It starts as a small comfort to something that controls our lives. Let us TAKE A PAUSE and reflect on how habits are formed. ⏸️ NEED After a long, stressful day, I grab a piece of chocolate to help me relax. It feels good, and I think, "Just this once. I deserve it!" (Chocolate is just an example—it can be anything else!) ⏸️ ROUTINE The next day, I am stressed again and reach out for chocolate. Soon, this becomes a part of my daily routine—after work, I head straight for the chocolate. I tell myself, "It helps me relax every day." ⏸️ HABIT Soon, chocolate has become my go-to whenever I'm stressed. It’s automatic now—I don’t even think about it. I convince myself, "I need it to feel good." ⏸️ TAKE A PAUSE. Addiction often starts with small, everyday choices that become routines, then habits that control us. Whether it’s food, substances, or behaviours, it's easy to slip into unhealthy patterns without realizing it. By taking a pause, we can reflect: ❓Am I relying on something too much? ❓Is this habit controlling me? Take back control. Take a pause, and reach out if you need help breaking free from harmful habits. #TakeaPause #AddictionAwareness #CIWA  

Want to help spread smiles this holiday season? Become a partner for our Adopt a Family campaign! This opportunity is open to everyone—individuals, businesses, and communities—anyone who wants to bring joy to families! Just send us a private message with the word “ADOPT,” and we’ll share all the details on how you can get involved. Questions? Leave us a comment below.

On October 16, 2024, CIWA was honoured to receive recognition from the Honourable Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, Parliamentary Secretary for Settlement Services and Ukrainian Evacuees, for our Community Leadership in Building Innovative Pathways for Newcomers. At a roundtable hosted by the Calgary Telus Convention Centre (CTCC), we proudly shared the success of our Hospitality Training Program, which has empowered immigrant women to enter Calgary’s hospitality industry. Thanks to our strong partnership with CTCC and SAIT, 10 of our interns have gained valuable experience, and 4 of our graduates are now employed by CTCC! This recognition celebrates CIWA’s ongoing dedication to creating opportunities and building brighter futures for immigrant women. We are truly grateful to our partners and to the Honourable Armstrong-Homeniuk for acknowledging our impact. #CIWA #EmpoweringWomen #freetraining #women #immigrants

On October 5th and 19th, CIWA participated in two events at Genesis Centre to promote our "Take a Pause" mental health and addiction campaign: ➡️ South Asian Resource Fair ➡️ North of McKnight Communities Society Resource Fair Vandana Sharma, Program Coordinator of the Supports for Immigrants and Refugees with Mental Health and Addiction Issues Project, led the outreach along with program volunteers. The team shared information about the campaign, reducing stigma around mental health and how to access local resources. Many visitors stopped by to learn more and connect with the "Take a Pause" campaign. Find out more about CIWA's supports for mental health and addiction! Contact mentalhealthsupports@ciwa-online.com

How would you define yourself in the art of life-work balance mastery? What's your pick? 🌟 Juggler – Still figuring it out, but hey, at least nothing’s on fire yet! (Some days, you just throw stuff in the air and hope for the best.) 🌟 Boundary Builder – I set clear boundaries between my personal and professional life. (No emails after 5 pm) 🌟No-Master – I’ve mastered the art of saying NO when I need to prioritize. ( I'm confidant to say No just as a toddler who doesn’t want broccoli) 🌟 Self-Care Sage – I’m fully committed to my self-care routine. (Spa days, candles, and meditation, anyone?) 🌟 Support Seeker – I ask for help when I need it. (my mom is a good listener) 🌟 Zen Master – I’m basically Yoda when it comes to balance. (Work, life, self-care... mastered it all. Namaste.) Tell us which one resonates with you the most TODAY – it might change TOMORROW! Tag a friend who could use some balance tips! Let’s see who’s crushing it and who’s still juggling! 👇 #TakeaPause #MentalHealthMatters #CIWA

Recently, CIWA’s passionate Program Coordinator, Vandana Sharma, joined Mrs. Gurcharan Kaur Thind on Radio Sursangam (94.7) for a heartfelt discussion in Punjabi about CIWA’s ongoing mental health and addiction campaign. Our Take a Pause campaign, emphasizes the importance of breaking the stigma and offers free support services, including counselling and referrals in multiple languages. The response from listeners was incredibly positive, and we’re grateful to Mrs. Thind and Radio Sursangam for helping us spread the word! Learn more about CIWA's Supports for Immigrants and Refugees with Mental Health and Addiction Issues project: https://lnkd.in/gav8zFNv

This October, in honour of Women’s History Month and this year's theme, "Women at Work: Economic Growth – Past, Present, and Future", CIWA is celebrating the remarkable contributions of women driving innovation and progress in our community. We are proud to spotlight Paula Calderon, our CEO, whose leadership has helped shape the future of economic inclusion for immigrant women. Since the early 2000s, Paula has made a lasting impact through her work supporting the economic integration of newcomers to Canada. She launched Toronto’s first low-cost language training program tailored to Internationally Trained Professionals (ITPs), providing affordable, high-quality instruction that filled gaps in government-funded options. Paula also designed a groundbreaking virtual interview tool, enabling organizations to assess internship applicants remotely, even before they arrived in Canada. At Windmill Microlending, she developed the “Client Success” model, which expanded the organization’s role from lending to offering coaching and mentoring, helping newcomers achieve their career goals and thrive in the workforce. At CIWA, Paula continues to lead transformative initiatives like our bridging programs, including the Hospitality Training Program, which addresses immediate labour market needs while supporting newcomer women in building sustainable, long-term careers. Her leadership drives progress, creating lasting change for immigrant women and their families. Thank you, Paula, for your dedication and for inspiring the next generation of change-makers! #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenAtWork #EconomicGrowth #CIWA #Inspiration #ImmigrantWomen

CIWA’s Supports for Immigrants and Refugees with Mental Health and Addiction Issues (SIRMHA) project proudly hosts its annual Mental Health and Addiction Campaign, with this year's theme: "Take a Pause". Over the past three years, SIRMHA has become a vital resource for immigrants and refugees in Calgary, offering essential support for unique community challenges. In just three years, SIRMHA has served 600+ clients and delivered 1,140+ services, including supportive counselling, crisis counselling, and referrals and advocacy. With 28 support groups and 81 workshops reaching over 1,200 clients , we have achieved over 80% client satisfaction. If you or someone you know needs support, SIRMHA is here for you! Contact our dedicated SIRMHA program coordinator, Vandana: 📞 Direct Line: 403-561-8073 ✉️ Email: mentalhealthsupports@ciwa-online.com #TakeaPause #MentalHealthMatters #BreakTheStigma #AddictionAwareness #CIWA

Celebrate International Day of the Girl with CIWA! One-on-One Counselling for Immigrant Women Program invites all immigrant girls and their sisters (or besties) to join us for a day filled with games, dancing, laughter, and more. The event is completely FREE and offers 5 chances to win exciting prizes! 📅 When: October 25, 2024 | 12 pm - 3 pm 📍 Where: CIWA Main Building 👧 Open to immigrant girls with PR, refugee status, and CUAET permit Click here to save a spot https://buff.ly/4hfQPaw

CIWA is proud to have been part of Carya's Top Chef event! Our talented Chef Liz and a few of our Line Cook clients helped prepare delicious appetizers for 100 guests, under the guidance of Chef Chris. On the menu were: 🍴 Corn Relish with Chips 🍴 Bacon-Wrapped Dates 🍴 Apple Cashew Filo Purses 🍴 Sage Butternut & Apple Tarts 🍴 Bagna Cauda with Roasted Veggie Skewers 🍴 Ramen Devilled Eggs This event was more than just a competition—it raised over $125,000 for mental health support in our community. We’re honoured to have been part of this impactful cause! #CIWA #Carya #TopChef #yyc