News & Highlights

Celebrating Toronto Newcomer Day 2021

Join us as we welcome newcomers to Toronto.

First proclaimed in 2015, Toronto Newcomer Day is an annual event held in May that welcomes newcomers to Toronto, helps them understand and access a wide range of services, and celebrates their contributions to the city. The event features a number of activities including a formal stage program, a citizenship ceremony for new Canadians, tours of City Hall, a newcomer marketplace, and an information fair. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event will be virtual to ensure the safety of all Toronto residents.

Toronto Newcomer Day includes an information fair that promotes newcomers’ knowledge of programs available to them. Look for JVS Toronto's virtual booth for information on all our newcomer employment services and bridge training programs.

Event Highlights

Engagement session with the Mayor
Entertaining performances
Information fair
Virtual City Hall tour
Welcome Gesture
And more
Town Hall with Mayor John Tory

Date: May 25 from 10 am to 4 pm. Visit toronto.ca/newcomerday for more info!

JVS Toronto congratulates Karen Goldenberg on her appointment to the Order of Ontario which honours individuals whose exceptional achievements have left a lasting legacy in the province, in Canada, and beyond.

Karen served as President & CEO of JVS Toronto from 1999 to 2011. During her 12 years of service, Karen worked tirelessly to expand our services and build bridges with new communities. With her trademark enthusiasm and energy, Karen's contributions made JVS Toronto a leader in social and employment services.

Since her retirement, Karen has remained committed to issues close to her heart through volunteerism and community building. She continues to be a dear friend to JVS Toronto, and a generous donor through the Karen Goldenberg Legacy Fund, which helps support the Agency’s Disability Services and Jewish Community programs.

Karen has been recognized with several awards for her leadership, including the Order of Canada in 2014, and has received honorary degrees. She has dedicated her professional and volunteer life to improving the lives of so many people.

Karen is an optimist, a mentor, and an exemplary leader. All of us at JVS Toronto congratulate her on this very deserving honour.

Recognizing client success, and the contributions of volunteers and employers, has been a staple each year at JVS Toronto’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). On September 30th, JVS Toronto presented its AGM Awards to six very deserving recipients.

Avi Pollock, JVS Toronto’s incoming Board Chair, mentioned that the awards ceremony is always his favourite part of the Annual General Meeting. “Whether they are being honoured as an employer who has made a commitment to use our services, or whether they are a client or a volunteer being honoured for making that commitment to better their lives or the lives of others, every recipient has trusted JVS Toronto in our ability to help them.”

Congratulations to our 2020 AGM Award winners.

Zianne Small – Freedman Family Award for Young Entrepreneurs

This award recognizes a young entrepreneur who has completed one of JVS Toronto’s youth entrepreneurship programs, and successfully operating a full-time or a part-time basis business.

Zianne joined the Youth Entrepreneurship Program when she needed help after launching her cleaning business, Elite Housekeeping. Before joining the program, Zianne was looking for ways to find the capital to grow the business and a strategy to break into the commercial cleaning market.

Through the YEP program Zianne received coaching on how to develop a business plan while gaining crucial knowledge in management, finance and marketing. With the grant provided by YEP, Zianne was able to purchase the essential cleaning equipment and hire staff.

Zianne is now the owner of a successful business specializing in cleaning both residential and commercial properties. She is a true entrepreneur and we wish her only success in her future.

COVID-19 Service Update - November 20, 2020

As JVS Toronto continues to closely monitor and adhere to all Public Health advisories about COVID-19 we are taking proactive steps to minimize transmission. At this time, all JVS Toronto sites are closed for in-person services with the exception of our Psychology Division. We continue to provide all other services online and over the phone.

For the delivery of psychological services, JVS Toronto is following the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework and continues to adhere to all public health recommendations for the safe, responsible and gradual reopening of our in-person programs and services. The following protocols have been put in place to ensure the health and safety of all staff and visitors:

1-on-1 client services will be available by appointment only.
Clients and visitors will be asked to complete a COVID-19 screening survey online prior to their appointment. If clients and visitors answer YES to any of the COVID-19 screening questions, they will be asked to contact their JVS contact and reschedule their appointment to another day.
Staff and appointment schedules will be staggered to limit the number of people in the building.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) including masks and face shields must be used by staff and visitors.
Physical distancing protocols will be enforced.
Larger meeting rooms will be used for client appointments and the use of shared spaces will be limited.
Plexiglass screens have been installed and in some cases offices have been reconfigured for safety.
Enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures will be taking place.

Underneath all these layers of change is a dedicated team of professionals committed to providing the highest quality of service in a safe, comfortable and caring environment. We look forward to serving you in person soon

If you have any questions or concerns regarding our services or safety protocols, please contact us at services@jvstoronto.org or 416-787-1151.

Service Update and Safety Procedures for Resuming In-Person Services

As of Tuesday July 7, JVS Toronto’s Psychology Assessment Services will reopen to the public by appointment only. These services include:

Psychoeducational assessments
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) assessments
Vocational assessments
Psychovocational assessment

All other JVS Toronto services continue to be available virtually.

JVS Toronto is following Reopening Ontario guidelines and continues to adhere to all public health recommendations for the safe, responsible and gradual reopening of our in-person programs and services. The following protocols have been put in place to ensure the health and safety of all staff and visitors:

Client services will be available by appointment only.
Clients will be asked to complete a COVID-19 screening survey either online or over the phone prior to their appointment.
Staff and appointment schedules will be staggered to limit the number of people in the building.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) including masks and in some cases face shields must be used by staff and visitors.
Physical distancing protocols will be enforced.
Larger meeting rooms will be used for client appointments and the use of shared spaces will be limited.
Plexiglass screens have been installed and in some cases offices have been reconfigured for safety.
Enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures will be taking place.

Behind all these changes is a dedicated team of professionals committed to providing the highest quality of service in a safe, comfortable and caring environment. We look forward to serving you in person soon.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding our services or safety protocols, please contact us at services@jvstoronto.org or 416-787-1151.

JVS Toronto is proud to announce our reaccreditation under Imagine Canada’s prestigious Standards Program

Since our initial accreditation in 2016, JVS Toronto has maintained operational excellence in the program’s five key areas: board governance, financial accountability and transparency, fundraising, staff management, and volunteer involvement.

“It’s no small feat for an organization to earn Standards Program accreditation. It’s a rigorous, peer-reviewed process that is meant to build Canadians’ trust and confidence in the charitable sector,” says Bruce MacDonald, president and CEO of Imagine Canada.

Earning the Standards Program Trustmark symbolizes our dedication to transparency and solidifies the community’s confidence in the work we do.

See below for a message from Jonathan Kopman, Board Chair and Kim Coulter, President & CEO at JVS Toronto.

Chair Jonathan Kopman speaking at the podium

I Am More Than...

At the 72^nd Annual General Meeting of JVS Toronto on September 25, we shared how complexity of needs is a growing trend among the individuals we are seeing throughout our employment centres and across our programs.

In this year’s annual report, our theme is: “I am more than”.

I am more than the neighbourhood I come from.
I am more than someone who didn’t finish high school.
I am more than my disability.
I am more than a newcomer to Canada.
I am more than an older worker.

This theme reflects the fact that when individuals come to us looking for help on their journey to employment, there is often more to their story than what we see on the surface. Individuals are juggling an array of personal circumstances, many of which are complex. We need to recognize that when they come through our doors they are more than just a person looking for work.

JVS Toronto is a multi service organization offering services to many client populations. While their stories and circumstances may be different, for all of these populations, there is usually more complexity to their situations than we see right away.

At JVS Toronto, our vision is that every individual has opportunities for employment. We can’t achieve this vision alone. We rely on the support of donors, government, funders, employers and community partners to create and deliver specialized programs and services that address the unique and complex needs of the clients we serve.

Recognizing client success, and the contributions of volunteers and employers, has been a staple each year at JVS Toronto’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). On September 25, JVS Toronto presented its AGM Awards to six very deserving recipients.

“Our award winners all have one thing in common,” said Jonathan Kopman, Board of Directors Chair, when introducing the 2019 awards presentation, “they made a commitment to use our services. Whether they are a client or a volunteer, we honoured them for making that commitment to better their lives and the lives of others.”

Congratulations to our 2019 AGM Award winners.

Photo of award winner — Daniel Clarke, Louis Mensah, Nancy Freedman and her daughter

Louis Mensah – Freedman Family Award for Young Entrepreneurs

This award recognizes a young entrepreneur who has completed one of JVS Toronto’s youth entrepreneurship programs, and successfully operating a full-time or a part-time basis business.

Louis began the Youth Entrepreneurship Program when he was in the early stages of developing his photography business, Mensah Memories. Prior to the Youth Entrepreneurship Program, Louis had a passion for film and photography, but he could not afford the very expensive equipment required to launch his own business.

After receiving funding from the Youth Entrepreneurship Program, Louis was able to purchase his own photography gear to start his business. Louis was never afraid to do the work that was necessary to achieve his goals, and he worked tirelessly to break into an industry that is very tough to crack. In the first few months of launching Mensah Memories, Louis’s client list included professional athletes, entertainers, and large corporations. Louis epitomizes the entrepreneurial spirit with a can-do attitude, and proves that hard work can go a long way.

*The Tailor Project, Toronto, 1947. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre.*

Agency founder, Max Enkin, was part of a group of Jewish business leaders who started the agency in 1947 to provide employment and vocational services to Holocaust survivors and veterans of the Second World War. Between 1948 and 1949, he was also involved in bringing Jewish Holocaust survivors to Canada from Europe after the war as part of the Garment Workers Scheme, now known as The Tailor Project.

Read more here about The Tailor Project.

Recently, during Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yom Hashoah; JVS Toronto attended A Common Thread: Celebrating the Untold Stories of The Tailor Project at Holy Blossom Temple. The event honoured Max Enkin and others who were instrumental in bringing Jewish people to Canada from the deportation camps after World War II as part of The Tailor Project.

The success of this event and importance of The Tailor Project lead event participants, Larry Enkin (Max’s son) and Paul Klein, CEO and Founder of Impakt, to receive an invitation to appear on an episode of The Agenda with Steve Paikin. Larry Enkin and Paul Klein included Kim Coulter, President and CEO of JVS Toronto, in the interview to provide the perspective of connecting immigrants to jobs in Canada, then and now, to ensure they can lead self-sufficient, meaningful lives.

Watch us on The Agenda with Steve Paikin. Untold Stories of The Tailor Project.

Read more about JVS Toronto’s newcomer employment services here and Jewish community employment services here.

Watch the trailer of The Tailor Project documentary.

Join us in the fight against unemployment.

JVS Toronto is participating in Canada Helps' 5th Annual Great Canadian Giving Challenge; a national contest that benefits registered Canadian charities at a time when charitable giving is at its lowest.

For every $1 donated* by June 30, 2019, we will receive one ballot in a draw to win $10,000. More donations mean more chances to win!

Help us set a new record for the most donations received in the month of June!

With $10,000, we can:

Help unemployed individuals move toward financial stability;
Link at-risk youth to education, life skills and on-the-job training;
Offer specialized employment programs for individuals with disabilities at no cost;
Connect new immigrants to professional mentors, Canadian workplace language training, and online service delivery; and
Subsidize low-income families for assessments that diagnose learning and other disabilities to improve school performance.

Giving is easy.

Step 1: Click on the Donate button
Step 2: Complete the online donation form
Step 3: Share our message on social media and invite your family and friends to join our fight against unemployment.

Donate

* Minimum $3 donation required.

JVS Toronto is accredited under Imagine Canada’s national Standards Program.
With this achievement, we join a growing community of organizations dedicated to operational excellence.

The Standards Program Trademark is used under licence by JVS Toronto.

As Canadians, we are fortunate enough to live freely, but for many families living outside of Canada, political and economic instability threaten their traditions. Alper, a father of two, came to JVS Toronto for support when it became too dangerous to live as a Jewish family in Turkey. Alper feared for his family’s safety, and wanted his children to grow up in a better place. With no personal or professional connections and leaving his own business behind, Alper was overwhelmed by the prospect of job searching, and the risks he was taking to immigrate to Canada.

A referral to JVS Toronto’s EMETemployment program made the prospect of a better future for Alper and his family seem possible.

A New Future in Canada

Alper was inspired by the support offered through EMETemployment, JVS Toronto's Jewish Community employment program that works with employers and job seekers to provide online job postings, professional recruitment, and job support services. His Employment Counsellor helped him prepare his resume, and found positions tailored to his strengths and employment history. Alper is now happily employed, and excited about his future in Canada with his family:

“I am so thankful for my counsellors and everyone that helped me. It’s really emotional for me and I am so happy to be here in Canada with my family, and be a part of a Jewish community where it is safe and peaceful.”

Thank You

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, EMETemployment helps individuals like Alper, build self-sufficiency and provide a safe and secure life for their families. Your support helps JVS Toronto provide critical support and services to ensure Toronto’s Jewish Community can thrive.

Donate

JVS Toronto is accredited under Imagine Canada’s national Standards Program.
With this achievement, we join a growing community of organizations dedicated to operational excellence.

The Standards Program Trademark is used under licence by JVS Toronto.

Left: Michael Levitt - MP. Right: Prabhas Jha - Board of Directors at JVS Toronto, Michael Levitt - MP, Kim Coulter - CEO & President at JVS Toronto, Irene Vaksman - Director of Newcomer Services at JVS Toronto, and Sharvari Jois - Manager of Canada InfoNet at JVS Toronto.

On January 16, 2019, we were delighted to welcome Michael Levitt, Member of Parliament for the riding of York Centre in Toronto, to our Toronto North location to announce the federal government’s continuing commitment to the delivery of pre-arrival services for internationally trained professionals.

Over the past three years, thanks to funding from Immigration Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC), JVS Toronto’s Canada Infonet (formerly called CanPrep) program has supported over 4,000 individuals prior to their arrival in Canada. Working closely with partners across Canada this program provides on-line employment and mentoring services, as well as access to post arrival support to ensure seamless economic integration for internationally trained professionals.

Our Canada Infonet program works closely with partners including Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Network (TRIEC), OMETZ in Montreal, Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO), Magnet, and the Ontario Tourism Employment Council (OTEC). We have also built a strong network of post-arrival partnerships across Canada with service providers and employers to ensure seamless, supported economic integration.

In his speech, MP Michael Levitt announced IRCC’s multi-year commitment of $4 million to JVS Toronto over five years to continue the delivery of pre-arrival services for newcomers to Canada. He began by saying, “If we didn’t have immigrants, employers would have trouble finding enough workers to fill available jobs. And as consumers, immigrants help to create more demand for small businesses in our communities, further strengthening our local economy.”

He went on to say that, “JVS Toronto is one of three organizations that will provide general employment services to immigrants before they arrive, like mentoring, online learning modules and other employment-related supports in both English and French.”

We are pleased to maintain our working relationship with IRCC and for their continuing commitment to pre-arrival services so newcomers gain knowledge about life in Canada and the job market, and for putting their trust in JVS Toronto as a service provider partner.

We were honoured to have MP Michael Levitt make this announcement, for his leadership in York Centre and acknowledge his commitment to his constituents, many of whom we serve at our Toronto North location.

Congratulations to our Canada Infonet program team – Irene Vaksman, Sharvari Jois, Farah Alizadehahi, Rahim Braksa, Anne Hu, Marlina Ramchandran, Lucy Sun and Iliana Tzekova – for their dedication to JVS Toronto and in welcoming immigrants to Canada every day.

JVS Toronto announces 2018 AGM Award Winners

Recognizing client success, and the contributions of volunteers and employers, has been a staple each year at JVS Toronto’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). On October 3, 2018, JVS Toronto presented its AGM Awards to five very deserving recipients.

“Our award winners all have one thing in common,” said Jeff Goldfarb, Board of Directors Immediate Past Chair when introducing the 2018 awards presentation, “they put their trust into JVS Toronto. Whether a client or employer committed to using our services, or a volunteer willing to contribute their time, I thank each of you for instilling your trust in us.”

Congratulations to our 2018 AGM Award winners.

L to R: Kim Coulter, Nicole Diamond, Bianca Johnson, Nancy Freedman

Bianca Johnson – Freedman Family Award for Young Entrepreneurs

This award recognizes a young entrepreneur who has completed one of JVS Toronto’s youth entrepreneurship programs, and successfully operating a full-time or a part-time basis business.

Bianca, a young entrepreneur and mother of two young children gained knowledge from JVS Toronto’s Summer Company program to start a business called Spike it Up offering alcohol-infused desserts. Challenged the rules and regulations to prepare her desserts in a commercial kitchen, Bianca rented time in a local commercial kitchen shuttling her equipment and ingredients to and from this kitchen every time she baked her stock. Undaunted, Bianca’s passion and hard work steadily grew Spike It Up. She recently opened her first retail location in Scarborough and arranged order delivery through UberEats and Skip the Dishes.

Dedicated friend and supporter

Barrie Rose, who served as Chair of the Board from 1967 to 1969 and later as an Honorary Director, passed away on July 15, 2018.

Over 50 years ago, thanks to a generous grant from Barrie, founded JVS Toronto’s Jewish Day School program in the Eitz Chaim Schools. His transformational gift led to the integration of JVS Toronto’s psychoeducational consultants into the Jewish Day Schools, who work daily with teachers and parents to identify issues, assess, diagnose and establish educational plans so students of all abilities can continue their Jewish and academic education. Today, through our Career, Education and Psychology Division at JVS Toronto, Barrie’s legacy continues to ensure that individuals of all abilities and income levels can access assessments to improve their success at school and work.

On behalf of the Board, staff and the entire JVS Toronto community, I express our appreciation to Barrie for his years of service to JVS Toronto, and acknowledge the important contributions he made to the Agency and throughout our community as a true philanthropic spirit. We extend our deepest sympathy to Barrie’s entire family.

Ribbon cutting ceremony — Ken Backus, MPP Mike Colle, Adrien Backus, David Green, Daphne Wagner, Councillor James Pasternak, Mary Plevak, and Kim Coulter.

On October 18, 2017, JVS Toronto’s head office at 74 Tycos Drive showcased the newly renovated and relocated Al Green Resource Centre to dignitaries and longtime supporters of initiatives that connect individuals with disabilities with the greater community.

“Our Al Green Resource Centre is a true testament to the commitment of many donors and funders in providing opportunities for inclusion so individuals with disabilities can lead purposeful and fulfilled lives,” said Kim Coulter, President & CEO of JVS Toronto in her opening remarks to over 90 guests and dignitaries who attended the grand opening.

Opened in 2003 on Dufferin Street through the generosity of Al Green and his wife Malka Green, and David Green, his wife Daphne Wagner and their family, the Al Green Resource Centre has served as a lifeline and a critical source of meaningful activities for its participants with developmental disabilities to promote independence.

June 24, 2021 Leave a Comment

We are wired for connection – Let’s Celebrate the Wins, Big and Small, Together

By Canada InfoNet bilingual mentor Michèle Thibeau

As museums, hockey arenas, and shops open their doors and travel restrictions begin to lift between Canada’s provinces and territories, hope is in the air!

Many of us are standing on the precipice of change right now – that of heading back into the world of people and places, and being in close proximity to others.

It will be different; and, it will likely surprise us as we realize just how much we’ve missed: simple, daily experiences we previously took for granted. These experiences include the workplace, with its louder and quieter moments, from morning greetings and group lunches to focused work at our desk. We will be back together again, albeit with new daily habits and new colleagues.

I’ve worked with remote and hybrid teams for many years. Currently, I am part of a hybrid team, meaning that my colleagues and I are situated in different geographic places (as it was before the pandemic). That’s part of our strength in our field of collaborative economic development.

What’s interesting is that in many cases I have seen many of my colleagues (virtually) and connected with them more often since we all began working from home.

That’s because we’re now making much better use of the digital tools we have at our disposal. We are all in the same circumstances some of us were prior to the pandemic. This newfound opportunity to tap into conversations and share how we’re coping has been a blessing for which I am grateful.

Outside of work, I have been able to enjoy many opportunities to connect despite being isolated for a year and a half. While my immediate world has been smaller in terms of people I have seen in person since March 2020, it has also expanded to include individuals from all corners of our planet; this continues to be such a meaningful gift.

As a relatively new volunteer with the Canada InfoNet program, I’ve met and learned from a handful of determined, talented individuals eager for the borders to open so they can get started with life here in Canada! It is such an amazing gift to meet each person and welcome their story.

With the borders closed, conversations about finding employment in Canada before arriving were tough; few employers feel equipped to hire a new person when there’s no start date on the horizon. Instead, we worked on networking and taking time to discuss what kind of work in a given field was available – there are many employment opportunities across this country!

Once the borders are open, I look forward to continuing such conversations and focusing on using social media tools and local online programming to explore culture, workplace challenges and successes and vocabulary. The more we understand how to engage, the more successful we are in translating to an employer how we are the right person for the job!

These days, my motto is keep connecting with others and celebrating the small wins on the way to your destination and at every pause along the way. We cannot always see the progress we’re making. It’s through connection with others that we can reflect on just how far we’ve come.

June 21, 2021 2 Comments

Back to Work After the Pandemic: What Next?

Health photo created by freepik – www.freepik.com

After almost a year and a half of working from home after “pivoting”, “adapting” and find a way of getting things done in these “exceptional times”, many remote workers are facing the prospect of returning to the office. Creating a new routine and find ways to be effective remotely was a challenge; but now that employers are summoning us back, many remote workers are starting to wonder if we truly want our old “normal” back.

Since the pandemic was declared in March 2020, a third of Canadian workers found themselves unexpectedly working from home. Many of us were not ready. Workers had to adapt quickly – some had to create makeshift workspaces, setting up an old table in their bedrooms, kitchens or dining rooms, and some had to figure out how to cope with the challenges of getting work done while parenting and educating their school-age children at home. Often, more than one adult was working remotely in the home. It wasn’t easy.

Now, more than a year after the pandemic began, you’d think we would be happy to return to the familiar, focused and social environment we knew before. Nevertheless, many workers have begun to reflect on what they have gained and to wonder whether we could keep some of the benefits of this new arrangement after the “new normal” returns.

Looking back at the last year of working remotely, many employees are realizing that not all of it was bad. While working from home, we discovered that we could save money on the cost of commuting. We learned to enjoy the benefits of having access to our home facilities during the workday; it’s also been enjoyable to have access to our pets, favourite foods, and even (sometimes) our family members during the day. Not having to dress to code (at least from the waist down) has been enjoyable. The ability to focus without interruption has been a gift to those of us who struggle to fight the distractions of noisy cubicles and chatty colleagues. Some workers have enjoyed not being under the tight scrutiny of our supervisors, maybe even surprising ourselves to discover how efficient and self-directed we can be when required.

Other benefits of the shift to working from home include learning new technology skills, as well as ways of using technology to make life easier. Many employees took the opportunity to engage in online learning, and have developed a passion for ongoing professional development that they hope to continue developing into their future.

On the flip side, many workers are struggling with isolation. Some have reported feeling unstimulated and less creative. We often underestimate how much we draw on creative ideas that come from casual chatter in hallways and around water coolers. Many at-home workers report that it is hard to set boundaries between work and home, with work stretching beyond designated work hours, and home life intruding on getting work done during office hours. Some people even miss their commute, which allowed them to change hats between home and work, as it were, allowing time to process and switch off work thoughts and refocusing on tasks at home.

What do workers want?

To gauge the thoughts of employees, we posted a poll on LinkedIn that asked readers for their expectations from their workplace after reopening. The results were striking clear: we want (70%) to be able to retain some flexibility to be able to work remotely, as part of our return to our much anticipated “new normal”.

Worried about going back to work? Consider these actions:

Your current employer is likely working on figuring out how to bring back staff safely. But that doesn’t mean that staff shouldn’t voice their concerns and opinions to employers in anticipation, to ensure their needs and thoughts are included in back to work planning.

Here are some of the issues that might be worth inquiring about:

Safety measures and practices

Employers are obligated to ensure that workplace health and safety guidelines are established and enforced. The government of Ontario has posted guidelines about workplace safety on its website https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-coronavirus-and-workplace-health-and-safety which details workers’ rights, as well as measures taken by the ministry to increase inspection of workplaces.

The Province clearly outlines the fact that workers have a right to be in a workplace that screens people with symptoms and supports them to self-isolate (meaning enabling people to stay home from work if necessary), as well as to set up a workspace that enables physical distancing, ensures regular disinfection practices, and reduces in-person contact (for example, where reasonable, allowing for remote meetings instead of in-person).

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, workers do that the right to refuse work that they believe is unsafe. If health and safety concerns are not resolved internally, a worker can seek enforcement by filing a complaint with the Ontario Health and Safety Contact Centre (reachable by toll-free phone at 1-877-202-0008).

Accommodations

It is reasonable for employees to expect assistance from employers to accommodate their needs regarding continued practical challenges such as family obligations and medical concerns, and for employers to set up a process for these issues to be addressed properly.

Speak out about ideas regarding reopening

Seek out an opportunity to speak to your colleagues to discuss your preferences and concerns about reopening, as well as ways to speak to your employer about them. Consult with your union if you have one. Find a way to connect with your team members (without managers around, perhaps), using a chat app, email or even video. Ask questions about how colleagues are feeling and check in on their thoughts and concerns about returning to the office.

Check this blog for tips on ways of advocating for remote work. It’s likely that if staff members present a coherent workable case for new ways of getting the job done, including options such as hybrid in-office/remote options, managers would be willing to listen. Help managers understand some of the benefits of such changes, such as reduced cost, improved service access and enhanced efficiencies.

To sum up

As challenging as it has been to shift to working from home, many remote workers have discovered the benefits of remote work flexibility and would like to keep them post-pandemic. Many also worry about the safety of returning to in-person work. Employers will likely be open to discussing and considering these concerns, and workers should speak out to make sure their concerns are heard.

April 19, 2021 Leave a Comment

How to Explain the Employment Gap

_{Business photo created by jigsawstocker – www.freepik.com}

When the pandemic first struck, we assumed it would pass quickly; facing the flood of newly unemployed clients, employment counsellors expressed reassurance that this was short-lived and temporary, and that resume gaps would be barely noticeable. Frustratingly, though 2020 came and went, the pandemic kept resurging around like a never-ending hurricane, leaving in its wake an unanticipated economic crisis.

Many of my clients have described their resume as having a “hole” in it where 2020 should have been, worrying that with increased unemployment and fewer jobs it might be even harder to find work. Some have been forced to stay home during the pandemic, homeschooling kids, caring for vulnerable health issues in themselves and others, while others have taken survival jobs such as warehouse workers, grocery clerks or delivery drivers.

The question that matters most is what employers think: how are they responding to this gap? It is probably fair to assume that they are very familiar with this issue and are willing to look beyond it to consider candidates, so it might not necessarily prevent you from being called to an interview. However, it is very likely that the “what did you do during the pandemic?” question will come up in interviews – and job seekers should prepare a well-thought-through answer.

When preparing an answer to the gap question, keep these strategies in mind:

1. Prepare a clear and specific explanation about what exactly happened.

Think through how you would describe the specifics of what happened when you were laid off from your job. Keep in mind that even if you have been furloughed/temporarily laid off and are still considered to be an employee, an employer may still want to know about what you have been doing while at home.

Be truthful – remember that many job seekers have been out of work and that it does not necessarily reflect on your ability or value in the job market. Everyone has been through the pandemic, and we all know someone who has taken parental leave or taken off time to care for a loved one or to deal with a health problem. Explain in simple clear terms – don’t dwell — and move on to focusing on the future or present.

Your ability to talk about the gap with self-awareness and confidence can be impressive and can go a long way to convince employers that the gap has not affected your confidence or sense of self-worth.

2. Describe what you have been doing during the gap, focusing on what matters.

Make a list of the activities you have engaged in since the layoff, such as volunteering, homeschooling, survival work, hobbies/personal projects, online courses and job search. Focus on the activities that indicate skills that employers would value, such as initiative, collaboration, learning new skills. On the other hand, try not to exclude things such as caregiving, which might reflect on your values and resilience.

Think through everything you have done since the pandemic has hit. Adaptability and innovativeness are highly valued in this new economy. How did you adapt to the changes? did you set up a home office? Did you learn new remote job skills or job search skills? Show that you had some control during the time — talk about what you DID during the time confidently and assertively, without sounding regretful or apologetic.

3. It’s not too late to get active now if you can.

If you feel like you should have more to tell employers about what you have been doing, keep in mind that it is not too late to engage now in volunteering or work or to learn new skills/gain new knowledge online. Check out our blog about online learning opportunities. Consider volunteering – Volunteer Canada, for example, offers a list of COVID-related volunteer opportunities, as well as remote opportunities for those who need to stay home.

April 12, 2021 Leave a Comment

How to thrive in your career in Canada: Panel discussion with successful immigrant women

International Women’s Day celebrates women’s achievements and reflects on their challenges. This year’s theme is #ChooseToChallenge and this inspired us to showcase amazing women from our program who are mentors and alumni. They all immigrated to Canada themselves and have found success in their careers.

In this video, you will learn about:

Their successes and achievements
Key impacts of immigration on their career and life in Canada
Barriers they faced and successful strategies used to overcome them
Tips on job searching during COVID

Panelists:

Olabisi Adesina – Mentor/ Program Alumni, Sr. Business Analyst & Solution Architect, SASKTEL
Nour Alsoori – Mentor/ Program Alumni, Senior Project Manager, City of Toronto
Veronica Seeto – Mentor/ Vice Chair at WINS Toronto
Notey Akpotive – Program Alumni, HR Partner at a leading global tech company
Hosted by: Sharvari Jois, Manager – Canada InfoNet, JVS Toronto

To learn more about Canada InfoNet, go to the link here: https://www.canadainfonet.org/

March 23, 2021 Leave a Comment

The Journeys of Immigrant Women – International Women’s Day

The theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is #ChooseToChallenge. In recognition, we reached out to some of our mentors and former program participants to ask them what challenges they faced as immigrants, to tell us their achievements, and what they chose to challenge in honour of this day. We featured some highlights in our newsletter and here you can learn more about the journeys of these amazing women.

Veronica Seeto – Canada InfoNet Mentor
My immigration journey started in 1965 at age 13 with my parents and three other siblings. What is remarkable is that my father was 56 and this was his second migration to achieve his vision for a better education for his children.

I was the first woman in my family to graduate from University. Some of my success can be attributed to inclusive and equitable policies in the Canadian educational system in the 1960s and 1970s. I had access to high school and entered the Innovative Co-op Math Program at the University of Waterloo. While being engaged in a full career in the IT sector, in 2005 I started mentoring IT professional immigrants to help them with their career transition to Canada.

My #ChooseToChallenge is my leadership work with WINS Toronto to promote inclusive and equitable policies in the Canadian workforce. I appreciate how WINS aims to help immigrant professionals achieve greater success. Only by breaking down societally created barriers can we create an inclusive gender-equal world.

Olabisi Adesina – Canada InfoNet Mentor, Former Participant
As an immigrant woman who landed 4 years ago from Nigeria to Saskatchewan, it has been an interesting journey with highs and lows; I doubt any advice or training can prepare us immigrants; we just have to learn/adapt/evolve. While I did go for a whole day preparatory session in my home country, the euphoria of being a Canadian permanent resident made me deaf to all the predicted issues – weather, social, economic, professional, financial; the psychological shift and the huge adaptation required to navigate and thrive.

The major challenge I faced was psychological – the race to adapt to the new environment; I did not expect this challenge and the one I expected did not happen – professional/career. We watch movies and idealize Canada, we tend to think everything is so easy here, and arriving and seeing that there are challenges is a shock. For example, finding affordable childcare can be a challenge and that is a shock, it wasn’t something I had to worry as my kids are older, but it’s more challenging if you have little kids. The driving is different, the shopping, the daily life things are different. Not having extended family or community to help with that – we don’t expect the difference it makes.

My biggest achievement is my ability to apply my professional experience in the workplace here with huge successes and adaptation to the corporate environment seamlessly. For example, in the job I am now I was the only woman, immigrant and black person in the group, after me they hired four more people, including two women.

#ChoosetoChallenge – Don’t let the gender inequality affect your goals and distract you from them; focus on being the best and doggedly choose to surmount. Do what you want to do, focus on that; don’t let anything hold you back.

Nour Alsoori – Canada InfoNet Mentor, Former Participant
I am originally from Damascus- Syria but I was working in Dubai as a Project Manager before coming to Canada. I landed in Canada in September 2018.

One of the challenges I faced was dealing with people who underestimated me or tried to take advantage of my situation. Some people have told me that I should forget about my ten years of experience and start from scratch, others wanted me to work for free in exchange for experience, and others promised to mentor me but never showed up to our meetings. It is very important not to let these negative voices take you down and to continue believing in yourself and your abilities. Today, I am a Senior Project Manager at City of Toronto, working on a couple of the City’s mega projects. Also, I recently started my second Masters at the University of Toronto.

I #ChooseToChallenge prejudice against immigrant women’s competence. Immigrant women are ambitious and motivated; They are willing to take risks and to prove themselves in every sphere of their lives, and that’s what makes them so valuable.

Notey Akpotive – Former Canada InfoNet Participant
I currently work as an HR Partner for a global tech company. Almost 3 years ago, I moved to Ontario Canada, straight from Lagos, Nigeria where my family is from and began the journey of settling into life as an expatriate – what some people call immigrants – here in Canada. Prior to that time, I’d worked for about 7 years in Human Resources for General Electric in Nigeria.

I faced a lot of challenges as would anyone moving to a new country, new continent, new weather, new lifestyle. I was surrounded with so much newness, it was jarring. Thankfully, the language wasn’t new for me, though now I thoroughly empathize with anyone who moves to a new place and has to learn the language of that new place, because even though I speak fluent English, there are so many Canadian isms I’m still getting used to. The challenges I faced ranged from the seemingly mundane like getting lost the first time I was in downtown Toronto, failing my first Drive test to looking for a job that was going to help me build my career and dealing with the various stages of culture shock. These were all things I had read about and researched extensively on but was still difficult for me to live through day by day. Moving to Canada also made me realize visiting a place and returning “home” isn’t the same as relocating to that same place.

I’m thankful for and celebrate the personal strength and courage it took for me to make the decision to move across the world. And the stamina that kept me going everyday through the small and big challenges I have faced. We focus so keenly on big milestones and while those are great, the self-discipline that comes with putting one foot in front of the other and staying hopeful everyday needs to be celebrated. That is part of what gives you the edge to achieve those personal goals you have set for yourself.

I #ChooseToChallenge the ignorance and negativity that surrounds black immigrants moving to Canada from anywhere in the world, especially from Africa. We are living in a time with so much knowledge at our fingertips where everyone can research and learn and do better. Yet some of us continue to peddle stereotypes that are untrue, ignorant, or just plain hurtful. We all bear a responsibility to do better for ourselves and for our generations to come. I’d like to see that begin to change in my lifetime

We celebrate all the women in Canada, who are making their way besides all the challenges. May we all help reduce the inequalities and choose to challenge gender bias.