Phase I (2024)

Service Providing Organizations (SPOs)

During Phase 1 of the Circle of Women project, we will focus on meeting with Service Providing Organizations (SPOs) and community organizations to discuss our promising practices and how these may facilitate service provision to newcomer women.

During this time, we will collect valuable feedback to help drive the development and creation of useful service tools. This period will also focus on understanding how our promising practices fit into the context of Nova Scotia and our communities.

Immigrant and Migrant Women

The Immigrant Migrant Women’s Peer Support Group will begin in June 2024, with programming scheduled for major cities in each program region.

These sessions will provide a platform for women to share experiences, gain support, and build skills in a safe and empowering environment.

Nova Scotia Employers

Circle of Women will meet with employers to learn how we can create safer workspaces for newcomer women. Understanding the workplace challenges they face will help us tailor our practices and resources to ensure safer and more inclusive environments.

Phase II (2025)

Service Providing Organizations (SPOs)
We will continue meeting with organizations in the gender-based violence (GBV) and settlement sectors. The goal is to learn how to better support service providers and newcomer women in finding community resources, accessing important information, and overcoming challenges they face.

Immigrant and Migrant Women:
We’re excited to launch English conversation groups for newcomer women. These groups aim to:

• Build a sense of community and create new friendships.

• Introduce participants to local organizations and available support services.

The groups will be available both in-person and online to fit different schedules. Additionally, we’ll offer in-person events and webinars on topics such as safety, healthy relationships, women’s empowerment, and accessing community supports.

If you wish to join the conversation group, please fill out our registration form: LINK HERE. Once we review your answers, one of our staff will reach out via email to confirm your registration.

Nova Scotia Employers:
In February 2025, we will start meeting with male employers to learn how to make workplaces safer for newcomer women. These conversations will help us create resources for women, employers, and their staff to promote safer and more inclusive work environments. To thank employers for their time, each will receive a $25 gift card.

For more information on how to participate, please reach out to our Project Coordinator at olya.stepanenko@imwah.org.

Join Our Advisory Group!

We invite you to join our advisory group and be a vital part of our community! This is open to:

• Service Providing Organizations (SPOs) in the anti-violence sector

• Service Providing Organizations (SPOs) in the settlement sector

• Halifax Regional Police

• Im/migrant women

• Social workers

• Legal experts

• Nurses and health practitioners

• Policymakers

• Cultural Organizations

This is a flexible, monthly commitment that you can participate in from the comfort of your home, as all meetings will be virtual. By joining, you'll help us remain transparent and open to feedback, ensuring that our programs truly reflect the needs and voices of our community. Your insights and ideas are invaluable to us, and together, we can make a meaningful impact. Your voice matters—let's make it heard!

Follow this link to register

2025 Advisory Group Meetings Summaries

2024 Advisory Group Meetings Summaries

2024-2025 Im/migrant Women Peer Support Group

This peer support group is an integral part of the ongoing Circle of Women Project, dedicated to empowering newcomer women in Nova Scotia with essential information and skills. Our focus is on addressing and reducing gender-based challenges faced by immigrant and migrant women through a preventative strategy of empowerment. Through sharing information and skills, we aim to connect women with the resources they need as they navigate their immigration journey.

This group offers a secure environment for immigrant and migrant women to participate in events that focus on sharing information and developing skills, empowering them with knowledge and activities that support their success, safety, and well-being.

The themes and subjects we will explore include:

• Housing and settlement in Canada

• Legal rights

• Health and wellness

• Community and social integration

• Safety and personal well-being

• Parenting and family support

• Managing finances

• Cultural and recreational activities

These events will be held regularly in Halifax, Truro, Annapolis Valley, and Cape Breton. Link for scheduled events

Link for private Facebook group for past participants of the Peer Support Groups in Halifax, Truro, Annapolis Valley or Cape Breton.

Childcare and Transportation

We understand the challenges in finding daycare, and we are committed to addressing this barrier by integrating children's play into our programs. Our aim is to create a welcoming environment where mothers can participate with their children. Some events will be designated as open for children to attend, while others will be closed to adult participants only.

If you’re unsure if a support group event will be child-friendly, please email us at projects@imwah.org

Cost

All events are free and refreshments will be provided.

For assistance with transportation or childcare, please contact us via WhatsApp at 902-580-2678 or email us at projects@imwah.org.

Program Coordinator: Olya Stepanenko

Email: projects@imwah.org