By: Omega Menkir February is a month that the world has dedicated to reflecting and remembering the histories and contributions of Black people to society, as we know it over the centuries, decades, and including their most recent innovations and contributions. This month includes updating the curriculum for children to take some time to reflect on what Black scientists, businesspersons, activists, and more have added to the world we had to make it the world…
By: Cheryl Lu, Social Media Coordinator If there has been one common goal for people all around the globe in the past year, it would be to end the COVID-19 global pandemic. The disease doesn’t discriminate. Since last March, we have witnessed people from all walks of life with different social statuses and cultural backgrounds falling into its trap. A year has passed, and the virus still doesn’t seem to want to stop. What is…
By: Craig Carter-Edwards The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a stress test for many essential services offered in Ontario. It has brought to light the challenges, inequities and structural flaws within systems designed to support the health and well-being of Ontarians. These challenges, of course, existed before COVID-19, but this crisis has increased the level of public’s awareness of them. Among these are translation and interpretation services. Many Ontarians with limited knowledge of English and/or…
By: Sanah Matador, May 2019 Updated by: Ashley Tulio, December 2020 **MCIS originally posted this blog in May 2019 to bring awareness to Mental Health Week. Given the ongoing pandemic and an increase in mental health crises around this time of year, we felt that it was important to repost this article with some updates.** COVID-19 has brought many changes within our lives, forcing us to adapt and integrate ourselves from within our homes. The…
**Update** When MCIS first published this blog on February 19, 2020, the subject of the interview was in the process of appealing his refugee status. In order to protect him, and the confidentiality of his case, we did not publish his name. However, in November 2020, he successfully appealed and received refugee status. The judge in the case accepted the chapter translation of Colombia Diversa that MCIS provided free of charge, as key evidence to…
By: Sara Parker-Toulson, Business Development Coordinator As part of our COVID Series blogs, MCIS recently interviewed Jeanie Godfrey, Settlement Services Supervisor of Bow Valley Settlement Services. Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and in partnership with Town of Banff and Town of Canmore, Bow Valley Settlement Services provides essential support and information services to newcomers looking to settle in Canada. They connect immigrants and refugees with information about community services, language options, housing information,…
By: Ashley Tulio, Communications Specialist As a part of our COVID Series blogs, MCIS recently interviewed Debbie Rose, Executive Director of Project Abraham. Project Abraham’s mission is to provide aid and assistance to refugees and immigrants who are in need and who are victims of war, persecution, unfair discrimination, or natural disasters. They does this by operating a sponsorship program to Canada. Once the refugees and immigrants come to Canada, Project Abraham’s mission is to…
By: Cheryl Lu, Social Media Coordinator Every year at our Annual General Meeting, MCIS has a keynote speaker to present experiences and knowledge for the theme of the year, as a means of encouraging discussion over social justice issues and inspiring thoughts among our staff and members. In the past two years, we have had Shelley Gilbert present on human trafficking in Canada, and Lindsay Borrows present on her experience as a Canadian with Indigenous…
By: Ashley Tulio, Communications Specialist October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! The purpose is to promote inclusion for people who experience disability and to celebrate the various contributions of workers with disabilities. This annual awareness campaign has occurred within the United States every October since 1945 and has spread and gained attention within Canada among multiple provinces. Within these provinces, businesses and employers are encouraged to participate in the nationwide campaign that brings attention…
