New program to serve immigrant women

BY ELYSE AMEND

elyse.amend@transcontinental.ca

For more than 30 years, the West Island Women’s Centre (WIWC) has been serving local women of all ages and backgrounds through its various programs and seminars. With education and breaking seclusion as its mission, a new WIWC program is directing its efforts to immigrant women who may be feeling isolated in their new home.

“There is a lot of isolation out there. And, being a women’s centre, maybe it’s our turn to serve a group of women who might not be served right now,” said Karen Henchey, the WIWC’s executive director.

The eight-week program will focus on providing women new to Canada and the West Island information on a number of topics, including the Quebec school system, job hunting, and getting around in the neighbourhood. The sessions will be given out of the Harpell Community Centre in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, in order to better serve the immigrant population living south of Highway 40, which according to Henchey, has not had as many resources available to them in the past.

“We’ve had lots of good advice from others that this is the kind of thing that needs to happen,” she said.

According to Jan Scarpaleggia, publicity director for the WIWC, while the centre has been around for a long time and has over 300 members, newcomers to the area who might benefit most from the programs and seminars may not even know they are available.

“You might not hear about the organizations that could help. It’s like a vicious circle,” she said. “It’s about breaking the barriers and breaking the isolation.”

And making new connections – which is also the title of the new program – is a big part of doing this, Henchey added.

“I think a good component of not feeling isolated is actually meeting people,” she said. “We’re hoping that we will give the women who participate in the program the tools they need to get going with whatever they want to do, and feel more comfortable and integrated.”

The eight-week Making New Connections program will take place every Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Harpell Community Centre, 60 St. Pierre St., Ste. Anne de Bellevue, beginning March 20. The activity is free and open to women of all ages. The WIWC will also provide childcare for pre-school aged children.

To reserve your spot, call 514-695-8529. For more information, visit www.wiwc.ca.