August 31, 2010

CALGARY, Alberta – On behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Seniors) and Lee Richardson, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre, today announced the Government of Canada’s support for a project that will foster leadership skills among immigrant and new Canadian and refugee women and girls.

“As Minister for Status of Women, I am committed to working collaboratively with community organizations to address the challenges faced by immigrant and new Canadian women,” said Minister Ambrose.  “Together, we are working to ensure that women have the support networks and resources they need to fulfill their dreams and participate fully in Canadian society.”

Minister Ablonczy announced that Immigrant Services Calgary is receiving $169,122 through the Women's Community Fund of Status of Women Canada for its Integrated Women’s Mentorship: Phase II project.

The Government of Canada allocated funding for this project through the Women's Community Fund of Status of Women Canada. To qualify, projects must work to promote equality, and the full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada. Through Status of Women Canada, the Government of Canada’s support for community projects like this has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, growing from $10.8 million to $19 million – its highest level ever.
“Our government believes women and girls across Canada must be able to take on leadership and decision-making roles,” said Lee Richardson. “Through this project, Immigrant Services Calgary is creating opportunities for 270 immigrant and refugee women and girls in the Calgary area, meeting their unique needs as they build meaningful mentoring relationships.”

“Our Integrated Women’s Mentorship: Phase II project builds on Phase I,” said Mr. Din Ladek, CEO of Immigrant Services Calgary. “During the 24 months of this project, we are building on clearly identified needs by increasing the quality of mentorship training for mentors, providing leadership training to both mentors and mentees, and increasing mentees’ job shadowing and internship involvement in and exposure to the Canadian experience.”
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting worthwhile projects like these because they yield concrete results for women and girls in Canada, while strengthening our families, our communities and our country.

The following are remarks made by Lee Richardson, M.P. at the announcement
Thank you so much for your kind welcome Mr. Ladek.  It is truly a pleasure to be here and see and hear about the wonderful work Immigrant Services of Calgary is doing to help women who have chosen our country as home.  I am so pleased to see such a wonderful turnout for this announcement and am very pleased to welcome my colleague and the Minister of State (Seniors), the Honourable Diane Ablonczy who has represented one of our sister local federal constituencies of Calgary-Nose Hill for 16 years. 
Ms. Ablonczy was appointed by Prime Minister Harper as Minister of State for Seniors on January 19, 2010. She is also Vice-Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs, and sits as a member of the Treasury Board.
During Ms. Ablonczy’s political career she has been a strong voice for accountability in government and for fair and equal treatment of all citizens and residents under the law.
Please welcome the Honourable Diane Ablonczy.

Immigrant Services Calgary Society
Project Title: “Integrated Women’s Mentorship: Phase II”
Information about the organization:
Immigrant Services Calgary Society is a not-for-profit organization mandated to focus on immigrants, refugees and their families whom have equal opportunities to participate in an open, and inclusive Canadian society. The agency provides programs and services that help them overcome barriers such as integration and equality.The objectives is to ensure that the immigrants, refugees and their families have the opportunities to become full participants, both as beneficiaries and contributors, within Canadian society. The main  activities are resettlement, integration, and bridging services for immigrant and refugee families through first language staff and volunteers.

Focus of the Project: This project addresses the priority issue of encouraging women and girls in leadership and decision-making roles, specifically the issue of creating mentoring relationships to support immigrant and refugee women to become fully employed in their professional fields in Calgary, Alberta.

Project Description:
This 24-month project aims to meet the unique needs of 270 immigrant and refugee women and families in the Calgary, Alberta region. The integrated Women’s Mentorship Program focuses on Phase II that builds on Phase I of the program where it links newcomer immigrant and refugee women with women who are established in Calgary where they work together to build an employment mentoring relationship. Through this relationship support is provided to the immigrant and refugee women so that they can become employed in their professional fields. Phase II builds on the identified needs of Phase I to equip the program to more effectively and efficiently support immigrant and refugee women by building the program to have a long term impact and sustainability. To do this Phase II proposes: 1) Increasing and building the quality of mentorship training for Mentors; 2) Providing leadership trainingm for Mentors and Mentees; and 3) Amplifying efforts on creating job shadowing and internship opportunities that increase Mentees’ exposure and experience involving the Canadian experience.

Project Results:

• 60 to 80 participants have assessments done per year and develop personal action plan.
• Training sessions provided for both mentors and mentees to enhance their leadership skills for personal and professional lives.
• Enhanced skills through workshops to help participants compete in the Canadian job market.
• 15 to 20 women participating in an internship or job shadowing per year.
• Within six months of involvement with the program 25 to 30 mentees and/or non-mentored participants become employed per year.

BACKGROUND:

• The Government of Canada is committed to improving women’s lives and to promoting women’s full and equal participation in Canadian society, putting particular emphasis on increasing women's economic security, eliminating violence against women, and encouraging women’s leadership and democratic participation.

• Immigrant Services Calgary is receiving $169,122 for its project Integrated Women’s Mentorship: Phase II:
• Through this 24-month project, Immigrant Services Calgary will aim to meet the needs of 270 immigrant and refugee women in the Calgary, Alberta region.
• The Integrated Women’s Mentorship program focuses on Phase II, building on Phase I of the program, where it links newcomer immigrant and refugee women with women who are established in Calgary, where they will work together to build an employment mentoring relationship.
• Through this relationship, support is provided to the immigrant and refugee women so that they can gain employment in their professional fields.
• Phase II builds on the needs identified in Phase I, to equip the program to more effectively and efficiently support immigrant and refugee women by building the program to have a long-term impact and sustainability.
• To do this, Phase II proposes to:
• increasing and build the quality of mentorship training that mentors provide
• provide leadership training for mentors and mentees; and amplify efforts to create job shadowing and internship opportunities that increase mentees’ exposure to and experience of the Canadian context