IMPACT
CAWA’s home is Waterloo Region, where it has extensive reach and increasing, long-lasting impact. In 2016, nearly 6,000 adult women in Waterloo Region alone identified as Arab. This figure includes born and naturalized citizens as well as new immigrants and refugees. We expect this number has only increased since then. These women need and deserve barrier-free and accessible programming catered to helping them succeed, and CAWA works to provide that.
Over the last two years, we have reached thousands individual women, many being newcomers. Most of these women have reported that the impact CAWA has had on their lives goes beyond the programs and events they have participated in, and has long-lasting effects in their personal lives as well. Due to our strong social media presence on both WhatsApp and Facebook, and the huge need for Arab language-programming, we expect this number to only increase in 2021.
IN 2021, WE…
WORKED WITH
20
WOMEN WITH
URGENT NEEDS
CONNECTED WITH OVER
1800
WOMEN THROUGH PRIVATE SOCIAL MEDIA GROUPS
HOSTED
95
IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL SESSIONS
RESPONDED TO OVER
1000
QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
HIRED
10
STAFF MEMBERS
SERVED OVER
275
PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
Rashida was in labour. It was 2:00 AM and snowy outside, and she desperately needed someone to drive her and her husband to the hospital and provide them with instant and accurate Arabic-English interpretation. Above all, she needed someone just to be there to support her.
Rashida’s journey from Syria to Canada was not an easy one, and she now found herself needing to get to the hospital in a new, foreign place. Out of sheer desperation with no other options, Rashida sent a message to the CAWA WhatsApp group chat asking for help. Thankfully, Samah was awake and heard her phone go off, immediately getting into her car and driving to Rashida’s house. Samah stayed with them at the hospital until Rashida’s son had arrived safely.
Samah’s kindness and willingness to support Rashida exemplifies what CAWA hopes to provide to our community.
All newcomers face challenges as they come to Canada. These obstacles include but are not limited to things like language barriers, economic stresses, and simply trying to adapt to a new society and culture while preserving your own.
However, female newcomers face unique challenges that often leave them lost and facing insurmountable stress as they try to navigate it all on their own. These women need programs and resources catered to them. The positive impact of social networks on the empowerment and integration of newcomers in Canada is significant (and research-backed) and is especially helpful for women.
Preventing social isolation for marginalized newcomers, including refugees, is crucial for integrating into Canadian society. As a socially-supported network, CAWA provides these culturally sensitive programs and resources to self-identifying Arab women with their unique experiences in mind.
