Project Summary

The Ontario Council for Immigrant Serving Agencies (OCASI) created the Initiative to End Gender-Based Violence in Immigrant and Refugee Communities. This is aimed at reducing barriers for newcomer women to access services and to build the capacity of service providers to prevent, recognize and respond to gender-based violence within the immigrant community and to support survivors. (Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants, 2021). My project focused on the first strategy which is to increase access to accurate, clear, and consistent information and resources for newcomers, immigrants, and refugees about gender-based violence. I researched and compiled available community resources offered throughout the Niagara region for immigrant, refugee, and non-status women, which will be used for a brochure. I also developed a fact sheet on how someone experiencing gender-based violence might present to service providers.

Professional Value & Impact

My capstone project provided me with invaluable hands-on, practical experience. It was a fantastic opportunity to bridge my academic skills to real world applications. I gained exposure to program planning and evaluation, community engagement and networking events, and I broadened my knowledge on an area of work on which I had no previous experience.