How you can Support us

South Asian Women’s Centre (SAWC) invites you to get involved with the Centre by contributing your time or money. SAWC has charitable status and provides tax receipts for any donation over twenty dollars. With the support of a dedicated staff team, a volunteer board and volunteers we provide numerous programs and services for South Asian Women and their families in the city. We are that friendly and safe community women’s centre which  contributes to a strong and vibrant community.

Who we are

We are a settlement community centre assisting newcomers to the city. We assist newcomers settle in and become an integral part of our community. Established in 1982 as a self-help group for South Asian women survivors of domestic abuse it was incorporated in 1985. Our focus is on newcomer South Asian women and children. 

Helping Newcomers Fulfill Their Potential and Promise

Over the last decade the organization has grown to meet the increased demand for services of the numerous clients representing the multicultural, multifaith, multilingual diversity of South Asian women in the Diaspora. We provide linguistically and culturally appropriate services for our clients with multiple needs like housing, employment, education, health, economic security, violence and abuse. With restricted funding SAWC’s very committed staff has provided incredible services, but there is so much more to do. Our goal is to see newcomer women become a true part of Canada, completely empowered and able to contribute to their fullest. Helping newcomers realize their full potential and their ability to participate in Canadian society will build strong neighbourhoods.
SAWC is primarily a settlement service provider , however we work with women and girls of all ages, and run a program for seniors, a youth program and a Breast Health program. SAWC recognizes that support for newcomer women and children must also translate into support for their families. 

Our Objectives

• Nurturing the economic independence and self-esteem of women.
• Breaking the isolation and alienation of women by providing social/support activities.
• Promoting access to full participation in society by addressing barriers to women’s equality such as underemployment, unemployment, violence prevention, language and training opportunities, poverty, access to housing, transportation, child care and other issues faced by women.
• Empowering women and the larger community through information dissemination and educational activities.

Our Values

The Centre is committed to providing services from an anti-discriminatory, anti-oppressive framework. We represent a diversity of South Asian cultures and believe in responding suitably to the unique needs of our clients and members. We work towards the empowerment of women and the overall development of the community. The Centre takes a holistic approach to the services we provide. SAWC works to enable and empower women. We work to build skills among women to enable them to participate more fully in Canadian society.

Our Programs and Services 

• Settlement services for newcomers in Urdu, Gujarati, Tamil, Punjabi, Hindi, Sinhalese, Tibetan and English.
• Life Skills Support Group for New Comer Women and families in languages identified
• Women Wellness Workshops and Health Promotion in languages identified
• Counseling and support in family problems  
• Violence Prevention Program (supportive counseling, information, referrals, accompaniments, follow-up)
• Citizenship Classes
• Food Sharing
• Youth group
• Immigration and Sponsorship guidance
• Housing Information
• Employment Counseling and Job Search Workshops
• Help in accessing  Social Assistance, Interpretation and Translation
• Advocacy

In 2005 we assisted and provided trauma counseling for family members affected by the Tsunami. Our staff received Tsunami specific training for settlement and truama counselling to provide effective services to those directly and indirectly by this disaster. We continue to provide services and are engaged in ongoing consultations with government and other agencies to provide support. We run youth programs working with youth leaders to enable them to become mentors. This is part of a strategy to reduce violence and bullying in schools. 

There are many other forums and gatherings where we are visible, and in our own small way we are Building Strong Neighbourhoods Our goal is to enable newcomers participate fully in Canada, and this will create a better, more vibrant and healthy community.  Help us do this by giving to our work, by supporting us in any way you can.

Thank you for your support

Sincerely

Stella Rahman
Board Chair