Central Alberta Immigrant Women’s Association was encouraged that $500,000 in new grants from the province will be available to target domestic violence, help women develop leadership and secure good jobs.
On Wednesday, Alberta Status of Women announced the money will go to support organizations for projects that encourage women to run for elected office or apply for boards and senior leadership roles; prevent or respond to violence against women or girls; or help women secure good jobs and closing the wage gap.
“All the themes are very exciting for us,” said CAIWA executive director Halima Ali on Wednesday.
“They are three areas we are very, very familiar with because of our research and the programs we already had and developed.”
In 2015, CAIWA completed its Women’s Economic Security Project to identify employment gaps and barriers and opportunities to immigrant women.
“It opened our eyes to understanding exactly what kind of employment issues immigrants face in Central Alberta.”
CAIWA is also working on a project to research family violence among new immigrants and develop an action plan.
Ali said the new grants could provide CAIWA with the opportunity to take the next steps with its research.
She said the organization has several ideas on how to use the funding and will work on submitting an application.
Organizations eligible to apply for the grants are charities, non-profits, community-based coalitions and networks.
The deadline for applications is Dec. 16.
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