Women in Hamilton, Raising our Voices.Issue 1 • June & July 2009 • Published by the Immigrant Women’s Centre

Welcome to the first-ever is-sue of The Women’s Press – Hamilton Women, Raising Our Voices. This is a publica-tion of the Immigrant Wom-en’s Centre (IWC) featuring information about the vital work we do with the city’s im-migrant and refugee women. But I hope it can be much

more than that. I would like this publication

to provide a forum, not only for our organization, but for the community at large. I hope to see women from across the city sharing their ideas and knowledge in these pages. To accomplish this, we need

your input. We want to know what issues are important to you and your family and what you want to learn more about. We also welcome any feedback on our first issue. Send us your thoughts at: womenspress@stjosephwom-en.on.ca.

------------------------These days, it’s hard to avoid

the subject of the economy. Few of us have been spared during this difficult downturn. Even for those not directly af-fected, the uncertainty and anxiety alone has no-doubt taken a toll. But for many immigrant

women, financial stress is al-ways present. The often-cited barriers of language and lack of Canadian experience delay many newcomer women’s entry into the workforce. So does discrimination based on gender, race and culture. Af-ter coming to a new country, many immigrant women also lose their social and family support networks. This can deprive them of things like free childcare (previously pro-vided by relatives back home) and sources of information. And women – immigrant and non-immigrant alike - are still faring much worse than men, especially in these tough eco-nomic times. But even when the economy recovers, im-migrant and refugee women will continue to struggle with many of these barriers. You will read about these

challenges in the pages of The Women’s Press. But you will also read about solutions.In her article “Counting

Women into the Economy,” Catherine Pead, CEO of the YWCA Hamilton, proposes creating affordable, reliable child-care alongside high-tech research jobs in Hamilton’s new Innovation Park in order to attract more women to tra-ditionally male-occupied sci-

ence and technology jobs. The Immigrant Women’s

Centre’s new program on managing money in Canada, described in this issue, aims to give immigrant women the tools they need to plan for their long-term financial secu-rity. And in her piece on the im-

pact of the current recession on Hamilton’s poverty rates, Sara Mayo of the Social Plan-ning and Research Council highlights the need for a better financial safety net for Hamil-ton residents.

------------------------Finally, we wanted to spend

some time on the always pop-ular subject of this long-await-ed summer. Read on to find useful information on summer safety tips and a list of activi-ties available to you and your family in Hamilton this sum-mer. You may be surprised at how many exciting and free options surround you. And please check out what some of our LINC students had to say about their idea of a perfect summer day. I’m sure it will make you smile.

Sincerely, Ines Rios, Executive DirectorImmigrant Women’s Centre

Recent major shifts in our economy and labour force are causing more members of our community to depend on in-come support programs and social services than has been the case for many years.A new report from the Social

Planning and Research Council of Hamilton with the United Way of Burlington and Greater

Hamilton shows that two lead-ing indicators -- Ontario Works caseload and the number of employment insurance recipi-ents -- are increasing at alarm-ing rates.There are now more than

11,600 families and individuals in Hamilton receiving income support benefits from Ontar-io Works. That is the highest claim rate since 2001, and the caseload has been growing by approximately 4 per cent each month since last November. Even more worrisome is that the number of people needing support is expected to continue

increasing in the months ahead. Claim rates for employment in-surance show a similar trend, with a 36 per cent increase from January 2008 to 2009. The most recent census data

from Statistics Canada report-

ed on conditions just prior to the economic downturn and showed the poverty rate in Hamilton was in decline. In 2005, the poverty rate stood at 18% of the population, mean-ing 6,000 fewer people in Ham-ilton were living on incomes below the poverty line than in 2000.This improvement was very

good news, but no coinci-dence. It happened as a result of changes to the labour force, pension programs, income support programs and taxation policies. There were also improve-

ments in the poverty rates of recent immigrants and visible minorities, but these rates re-main much too high. For ex-ample, almost half of women who immigrated to Canada in the 2001-2006 period struggle on incomes below the poverty line. As immigrant women live longer in Canada, their pov-erty rates do decrease, and for Hamilton immigrant women as a whole, the poverty rate

was 22% in 2005. But this is still higher than the average for the general population (18%). In contrast, the SPRC’s report

also showed that child poverty rates have increased slightly in Hamilton between 2000 and 2005 (from 25% to 26%).

This increase is partially due to more children growing up in lone-parent families. These families are most often female

led and so face the dual chal-lenges of raising a family on a single income as well as the barriers that women still face in the labour market.While it's a relief to many that

some support programs are in place to assist them through this recession, this crisis re-minds us that an effective sys-tem of supports needs to be cre-ated before it is most needed. Then the work to monitor its ef-fectiveness and make improve-ments needs to continue.There is no better time than

the present to tackle poverty with even more energy and commitment. Our generation and the next will be counting on it.

Improvements in poverty rates are being reversed by recession

By Sara Mayo, Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton

“Almost half of wom-en who immigrated to

Canada in the 2001-2006 period struggle

on incomes below the poverty line.”

Artwork created by residents of Arrell Youth Centre & Banyan Com-munity Services, Hamilton.

Hamilton Women Women in Low Income

Poverty Rate for Women

Non-immigrants 136,425 22,980 16.8 %

Immigrants 61,795 13,470 21.8%

Recent Immigrants 6,550 3,045 46.5%

Non permanent residents 1,695 800 47.2%

Data source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Canada

Prepared by: Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton

A new poverty report by the Social Planning and Re-search Council of Hamilton indicates overall poverty rates are slightly down. But while seniors are faring slightly better, poverty rates for children in Hamilton have increased. Immigrant women, especially those who are newly arrived, also continue to suffer alarm-ingly high rates of poverty. Meanwhile, the economic climate continues to take its toll, causing a recent spike in numbers of people needing social assistance and em-ployment insurance recipients.

Letter from the Editor

1. What is the poverty rate for recent im-migrant women in Hamilton?

2. How many fewer people were living in poverty in Hamilton in 2005 compared to 2001?

Discussion: Did you know that 1 in 4 children in Hamilton are living in poverty? What is your reaction to this?

1A p r & M a y 0 9 • Vo l 2 • I s s u e 3w w w. t h e v o i ce i n d i a s p o ra . co m

Women in Hamilton, Raising our Voices.Issue 1 • June & July 2009

The current recession threatens the well-being of Ca-nadian women. Statistics clearly show that women as a group are more economically vulnerable than men. To support women and their children through the cur-rent recession, politicians at all levels of government must use a gender lens in deciding what goes into any economic stimulus strategy.

Factor Women InWomen hanging on by a thread could see that thread

cut during this recession without gender-responsive economic policies. Recently the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce hosted

the 2nd Hamilton Economic Summit. Great progress had been made since the first summit in May 2008. Concrete examples of investments in Hamilton were encouraging signs that Hamilton can come out from the current recession stronger and in a better position than when it started.

However, one key element is still missing from the discussion of economic development and that is a gen-der lens on our priorities and strategies. Every project noted at the summit, with rare exception, was the type of activity that traditionally creates jobs and economic opportunities for men. These were construction, hard infrastructure (LRT and sewers), high-tech research and manufacturing plants. These are important and necessary projects and should be pursued. This is not a question of “either-or” but “both-and.”

Construction projects are good but how about com-munity and recreational facilities, hospitals, public spaces, social housing, health centres, and schools? This kind of social infrastructure secures the health and safety of women and their families. It is also tradi-tionally filled with women who work as nurses, teach-ers, child care workers, personal support workers, and administrators.The question at the end of the day in any economic

plan needs to be: who benefits? If the answer is pri-marily and consistently men, then we need a gender lens. With poverty rates for women and single moth-ers as outlined above and with a commitment to make Hamilton “the best place to raise a child” we have a moral and an economic obligation to put women in the economic picture.

Invest in Women, Invest in AllResearch shows that when you invest in women’s

economic development you raise the living standards for whole communities. Children fare better, seniors fare better, the sick and disabled fare better. This is be-cause women tend to spend on activities that will ben-efit their families such as tuition fees for their children to go to school and medicine to treat ill relatives. They

put their energy into cooperative projects, often using very small investment (such as micro-credit when it is available) to produce goods that can be sold to meet local needs and generate income for their families. If we are going to invest in high-tech research jobs in

the new Innovation Park, the people in those jobs will need affordable, quality child care, especially if we are serious about attracting women to work in tradition-ally male-occupied science and technology jobs. So, invest in child care which not only employs primarily women, but helps women stay in the workforce and become equal partners with men in both the economy and the family. We know that without this, most wom-en are unable to meet the needs of their children or participate fully in the economic, social and political life of their communities.

Elect More WomenFinally, how do we make sure that women’s interests

are given a place on the agenda in our economic plan-ning? The answer is more women need to be at the ta-ble and that means more women in elected office and more women supporting women seeking elected of-fice. Here in Hamilton there is a non-partisan coalition called Elect More Women that is working to encour-age more women to run for office. They offer resources and tools, support and networking to help demystify the nomination and electoral process for women. Un-less we have more women in leadership and in par-ticular, political leadership, we will continue to bring forward strategies that represent only half the story. As we used to say “Women Hold Up Half the Sky.”

Counting Women into the Economy By Catherine M. Pead, CEO YWCA Hamilton

Bug Off: Protecting Your Family From Insect Bites

Outdoor activities are fun – whether it is camping, cycling, soccer, or taking a walk. They add excitement to our lives. But that excitement can dimin-ish when you and your family are being harassed by unwel-come spectators such as mos-quitoes, biting flies and gnats. Biting insects are attracted to

body heat, generated through

activities like running, or just walking in a wooded area. In-sect bites are annoying. But worse, they can carry disease. Insect repellents contain a

chemical called DEET, which keeps flies and mosquitoes away. Not all products have the same amount of DEET. A 10% concentration of DEET gives effective and safe protec-tion for adults, according to Health Canada.

Chill out: Avoiding Heat Stress

High day-time temperature combined with high humidity impairs the cooling effect of sweating and can put people at risk for heat-related illness. Those most at risk include

infants and pre-school chil-dren, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses, mobility problems or those taking cer-tain medicines. Those exercis-ing or working outdoors are

also more susceptible to heat.The most severe effect of heat

is "heat stroke". In such in-stances, the body temperature is greater than 40.6 degrees Cel-sius, there is no sweating, and a person may experience an al-tered consciousness or coma as well as have difficulty breath-ing. Medical attention should be sought immediately.

Fun In the Sun: Get into the Hat Habit

Natural sunlight is important to good health. However, re-peated exposure to UV rays over a long time increases the risk of sunburn and skin dam-age. Most skin cancers start in areas of the skin that are exposed often to the sun – the head, face, neck, hands, arms and legs. Hats are the simplest, cheapest form of sun protection and can be worn every day.

To get into the "hat habit", choose a style that you like. If you look good, you will feel good and are more likely to wear it. Choose a hat with a wide brim for more protection. Hats can protect you from ul-

traviolet radiation from above but not from reflected radia-tion. Remember to wear sun-glasses and apply sunscreen on your face and neck to increase your level of protection.

Summer Health & Safety Tips by Lorraine Nelson, Public Health Nurse, City of Hamilton

Community Dispatch

"Research shows that when you invest in women’s economic develop-

ment you raise the living standards for whole communities. "

Consider the numbers in Hamilton:

• Women have a 22% poverty rate compared with men’s rate of 18%.

• Women earn an average of 62 cents for every dollar that men make

• With the highest levels of working mothers in our history, 36% of mother-led families have in-comes below the poverty line and 43% of chil-dren living in a low income family live with a single, female parent.

• Aboriginal women have a poverty rate of 40% higher than Aboriginal men and almost double the rate for all women

• Visible minority women have a poverty rate of 36% compared with 22% for all women

• Women in Hamilton are worse off than in other parts of the province. Female lone parent fami-lies in Hamilton earn $28,232 - almost $4,000 less than the provincial average of $31,776.

1. How much does a woman earn for every dollar a man makes?

2. What is the name of the new coalition that wants to see more women in government?

Discussion: What programs do you think the gov-ernment should invest in?

Women’s Health Matters

Signs of Heat Illness:

• rapid breathing• weakness or fainting• more tired than usual• headache• confusion• muscle cramps

Tips for Avoiding Heat Stress: • Drink lots of water, avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine.• Stay in the shade if you must be outside.• Wear a hat and loose fitting, light clothing.• Go to an air-conditioned mall, library or community centre. • Take a cold bath or shower, cool off with cool wet towels.• Keep lights off and window covers closed especially on the

sunny side of the home.• Avoid intense or moderately intense physical activity.• Never leave a child in a parked car or sleeping outside in di-

rect sunlight.• Ask your doctor or pharmacist about medicine side effects.

Insect Repellent and Children:

• Insect repellents used on children should have a small concen-tration of DEET (less than 10%).

• Always apply it for them.• If spraying, be careful not to breathe it .• Don’t spray children’s hands to avoid getting it in eyes or mouth • Under 6 months old: do not use insect repellents with DEET.• Children aged 6 months to 2 years: use a product with the least

available concentration of DEET and only once a day.• Children aged 2 to 12 years: use a product with no more than

10% DEET and do not apply more than 3 times a day.

Tips for Avoiding Insect Bites:

• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts outdoors.• Avoid places mosquitoes breed and live, like standing water.• Stay inside when mosquitoes are most active; dawn, dusk, early

evening.• Use insect repellent.

1. What are 3 things you can do to help avoid insect bites.

2. What are the symptoms of heat illness? Discussion: What do you do to stay cool in the summer?

A p r & M a y 0 9 • Vo l 2 • I s s u e 32 w w w. t h e v o i ce i n d i a s p o ra . co m

Hamilton’s recreation centres, parks, museums and festivals offer plenty of fun things to do. Read on for some ideas.

The City runs recreation centres, swimming pools (indoor and outdoor) and splash pads in every corner of the city. Find a location near you or online at www.hamilton.ca under Culture and Recreation. Or contact the City at 905-546-3747.

“Supies” are City of Hamilton park supervisors who staff different City parks for a few hours a day. They help organize activities like crafts, outdoor games and music. Find out when they will be in your neighbour-hood park. Contact City of Hamilton, Recreation Divi-sion at 905-546-2424.

Visit your local library branch and discover fun and free activities like surfing the Internet, playing com-puter games, watching movies, listening to stories and….oh yeah, reading. Check out summer reading programs like: • Storybook Club: read 12 books with your child

and get one book free. • Enjoy Summer Learning: for newcomer children

who need extra help with their English. For a library branch near you, contact 905-546-3200

or visit www.hamilton.ca/recreation

Hamilton has lots of exciting museums and you can visit them for free. The Hamilton Children's Museum, Battlefield House, Dundurn Castle and more. Borrow a 2-week pass from the library and your family can enjoy them all at no cost! To view a list of museums in Hamilton visit www.hamilton.ca/museums

An Ontario Early Years Centre is a place for children up to the age of six and their parents and caregivers to take part in activities together. Public Health and different community agencies work with OEYC to provide information and referrals for parents and the whole family. For a centre near you, contact 1-866-821-7770 or visit www.gov.on.ca/children/oeyc/

Fun, family-friendly art-making activities inspired by AGH exhibitions allow children to make their own masterpieces. $5 per family for non-members. 123 King Street West. For more information call 905-527-6610 or visit www.artgalleryofhamilton.on.ca.

While most day-camps for kids have a cost, some subsidies are available. For the day camps below, you can ask for an application for a subsidy at the recep-tion desk of each organization.

At the YMCA:Summer Day Camps offer sports and other activities

for 4 to 16-year-olds every weekday. Different pro-grams and locations available. To register, contact 905-317-4929 or visit 79 James Street South. www.ymcahb.on.ca

At the YWCA:“Girls Only” Camp is designed to motivate and en-

courage young women aged 10 to 14. Activities in-clude body image and self esteem workshops, media awareness and healthy relationship building. The six-week camp will be offered at four different loca-tions throughout the summer: Ottawa Street YWCA; MacNab Street YWCA; Holbrook Elementary School and Cayuga YWCA. Active Kids Camp is a full-day program filled with

arts and crafts, sports and leadership training. Camp starts Monday June 29 and ends Friday, September 4.

Monday to Friday, 9 – 4 p.m. Extended care is avail-able from 7:30 - 5:30 pm for an additional fee. For a location near you or more information, please call 905-522-9922 or visit www.ywcahamilton.org At the Hamilton East Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club: Summer Day Camp for July & August. Games,

swimming, crafts, gym-time, computers, field trips. Only a few spots left! $60/child/wk. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ages 5 – 12. For more information or to register, call 905-549-2814. 45 Ellis Avenue. www.kboysandgirls-club.com

Trails and Waterfalls abound in Hamilton. Visit the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club for information and maps on the natural wonders in and around the city. www.hamiltonnature.org/publications/naturallyham/vis-tas.htm

And what would a summer in Hamilton be without a festival? For a list of upcoming free festivals and events for the whole family, visit: www.foundlocally.com/hamilton/entertainment/

festivals.htm------------------

Visit the Immigrant Women’s Centre’s new down-town site at 182 Rebecca Street this summer for more information on all the recreational activities the city has to offer. Or contact Veronica at 905-525-9676 ext. 225.

Women in Hamilton, Raising our Voices.Issue 1 • June & July 2009

Joulan Alzab

“I would spend it with my family. My mother would be visiting. We would all be together. One place I would re-aly like to visit with my family is Can-ada’s Wonderland.”

Sarita Goel

“I would go to Vancouver and spend the day on the beach. I would also like to see the Rocky Mountains. That’s my dream. And I would go with my whole family: my husband and three children. “

Chie Yamada

“Since it’s so hot outside, I would prefer to spend the day inside an air-conditioned room. I would get the penthouse suite in the best hotel in Ni-agara Falls. I would order a long mas-sage and lie on my stomach watching the falls outside my window.”

Sayeda Ferdousi

“I would get up early and go to the Farmer’s Market with my husband. Then we would cook a traditional Bengali lunch. Later, we would go to Bayfront Park with our daughter. We would bring snacks and a soccer ball and spend the evening by the water.”

Women are talking about... The perfect summer day

Summertime in the City:Recreation Ideas for the

Whole Family

You don’t have to go far or spend a lot money to find fun activities for your family this summer. Hamilton’s recreation centres, sports clubs, parks, museums, and festivals will help keep you and your family active, en-tertained and happy throughout the summer months.

City of Hamilton Pools and Recreation Centres:

Supies in the Park:

Free Stuff at the Public Library:

Hamilton Museums: Free Museum Pass

Ontario Early Years: A Place for Parents and their Children up to age 6.

Family Fun Days at the Art Gallery of Hamilton: Trails and Waterfalls:

Festivals:Day Camps for Kids

Discussion: What are the barri-ers to accessing recreational ac-tivities in Hamilton?

Discussion: What recreational activities that you have not tried would you like to try this sum-mer?

Discussion: How would you spend your perfect summer day?

3A p r & M a y 0 9 • Vo l 2 • I s s u e 3w w w. t h e v o i ce i n d i a s p o ra . co m

Women in Hamilton, Raising our Voices.Issue 1 • June & July 2009

Rana Al-Dibs has been man-aging her family’s money since she arrived in Canada in 2001. The Palestinian mother of two had to learn to make ends meet, even when there was very little money coming in. She knows how to survive, but sometimes feels like she can’t get ahead. Planning for her family’s long-term financial security has al-ways taken a back seat to meet-ing their immediate needs. Until now. Al-Dibs recently signed up

for a Financial Literacy pro-gram being offered through the Immigrant Women’s Centre (IWC). Al-Dibs says she’s taking the

course to learn more about in-vesting in her daughters’ fu-ture education as well as her and her husband’s retirement. She also hopes to one day buy a house. “I was so focused on just get-

ting by when I first came here,” says Al-Dibs. “But now I want to focus on some bigger goals.” The six-week workshop is de-

signed to introduce newcomer women to everything from banking basics to investing and mortgages. It aims to enable immigrant women to set both short and long-term financial goals and achieve them faster.

“Given everything else they have to tackle, some women may lose sight of the need for long-term financial planning,” says Ines Rios, Executive Direc-tor of IWC. “We want to intro-duce them to more options so they can better control their own futures.”

The program was designed by IWC Project Coordinator, Nabi-la El-Ahmed, who will be fa-cilitating each six-week course. El-Ahmed says that newcomer women must overcome specific obstacles on the path to finan-cial security. “Immigrant women face cer-

tain barriers to accessing finan-cial services. Language, culture and even gender can all hinder women’s access to information, resources and support net-works,” she says. El-Ahmed gives the example

of language as a potential ob-stacle for some immigrants. “It can be very intimidating

for a newcomer woman to walk

into a bank and have a meeting with a financial planner,” she says. “It’s a whole new vocabu-lary.”She adds the culture around

money is very different in oth-er countries as well. Credit, for example, is not as readily avail-able or prevalent in other plac-es as it is here. In some cultures, charging interest on loans is even frowned upon. An im-migrant could quickly get into trouble if they don’t have the proper information about cred-it cards, interest rates and pay-day loans. In addition to language and

cultural barriers to accessing information, many of Hamil-ton’s immigrant women also face higher poverty and lower employment rates, making them especially vulnerable to economic hardship. The IWC feels the time is right

to offer immigrant women the information they need to help realize economic security and control their financial fu-ture. The three-year program is made possible through the generous support of the Status of Women Canada. For more information or to

register for an upcoming ses-sion, contact Nabila El-Ahmed at 905-529-5209 ext. 261.

Common Cents: Immigrant Women’s Centre Launches New Program on How to Manage

Your Money in Canada

“I was so focused on just getting by when I first came here. But

now I want to focus on some bigger goals.”

Rana Al-Dibs, Financial Literacy program participant.

Women in IWC's new Financial Literacy program collaborate to map their assets through the Sustainable Livelihoods approach.

Subjects covered include:

• Basic Banking: choosing the right account; fees; interest

• Budgeting: identifying spending habits; tracking expenses; making a plan

• Savings: retirement funds and children’s education

• Borrowing: mortgages, business loans, managing debt

• Fraud: protecting yourself from credit and debit fraud; identity theft

Please send feedback, letters and submissions to:

womenspress@stjosephwomen.on.ca

Or call Dana Borcea at

905-529-5209 ext. 257

Take a G1 Driving Course at the Immigrant Women’s Centre. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. Course costs $25. Free Childcare Available. Location: IWC, 8 Main Street East, 1st Floor. To register, contact Vivyan at 905-529-5209 ext 233.

Gain skills and build confidence to find work in Can-ada. Job search strategies, intensive interview coach-ing, resume and cover-letter writing, and much more. Free childcare for children 12 and under. For more information or to register call Ashley at 905-529-5209 ext. 232.

Children aged 6 to 12 years old are invited to join the summer program at the Immigrant Women’s Centre. Morning and afternoon spaces available. Activities will include park outings, cooking classes, bowling and library activities. For more information contact: Vivyan at 905-529-5209 x 233 (Downtown – 8 Main E.)Wasan at 905-525-9676 (Downtown – 182 Rebecca St.)Abir at 905-387-1100 (Mountain – 1119 Fennell Ave. E.)

Come meet other Immigrant Women’s Centre partici-pants, friends and neighbours at a picnic in the park. Free lunch and snacks. Games, face-painting, puppet shows and animal balloons for the kids. Two Dates: July 13 - McQueston Park Community Picnic (Hamilton Mountain: off Upper Wentworth Street, north of Stone Church Road East). For more informa-tion call Abir at 905-387-1100.July 14 – Beasley Park Community Picnic (Downtown: Wilson and Mary Streets) For more infor-mation call Wasan at 905-525-9676.

Take a computer class at the Immigrant Women’s Centre. MS Word. Wednesdays and Fridays. 9:30 – 12 pm. Course costs $25. Free Childcare Available. Lo-cation: IWC, 8 Main Street East. To register, contact Vivyan at 905-529-5209 ext 233.

Time Well Spent: Join us at the Immigrant Women’s Centre this Summer Get behind the wheel!

June 9 - June 25: Learn to drive and build your independence.

Get the job! June 22nd – Start of I-WORK: a six-week Ori-

entation to the Labour Market Workshop.

Summer Camp! June 29 – July 17 – Free summer program for

school-aged children of LINC and I-WORK participants.

Start typing! June 10 – June 26 – Learn essential computer skills.

Come have a picnic! July 13 and July 14: 2nd Annual IWC

Community Picnics.

A p r & M a y 0 9 • Vo l 2 • I s s u e 34 w w w. t h e v o i ce i n d i a s p o ra . co m