Executive Director’s Welcome Message:
Dear Friends:
We are delighted to connect with you through our e-updates. We hope to send you these e-updates twice a month to keep all of you informed about activities at CASSA and its member agencies. We invite you to join CASSA as members and to become part of our continued effort to build a socially and economically just society in Ontario. In 2009, we continue to work towards our three strategic priorities: 1. Poverty Reduction 2. Coordination of Access to Health and Wellness 3. Strengthening the communities’ capacity to address inter-generational and family relationship issues. As a social justice umbrella organization, we depend on your partnership to do our work effectively in public policy, research, advocacy, service coordination, community mobilization and training. We invite you to get involved with us as a partner, volunteer or as a member. Please feel free to contact us with your suggestions and comments.
In Solidarity,
Neethan Shan
Executive Director
neethan.shan@cassa.on.ca
Poverty Reduction Project Updates
CASSA began its Poverty Reduction Project in 2009 by acting as a catalyst to help facilitate South Asian communities participate in poverty reduction issues related to health, childcare, employment etc. Under the poverty project, CASSA is currently involved with “Affordable Childcare” and “Good Jobs for All” campaigns.
Campaign for Affordable Childcare: A series of community forums were organized in March, other organizations were mobilized and the weaknesses of current childcare policy in Ontario were brought to the attention of media through a press conference. CASSA, TCBCC, and other child care partners submitted a petition to Minister Dwight Duncan, requesting that child care subsidies should not be taken off in the upcoming provincial budget.
Child Care 101: CASSA will hold its workshops from April 14 onwards with focus on capacity building for women residing in Teesedale and Crescent Town areas of Scarborough. Please look at the upcoming events section for date and venues.
Click here for more information on this campaign.
CASSA’s Role in Good Jobs for All campaign: A series of events took place in March where CASSA participated/co-hosted/organized town halls, rallies and meetings in different parts of GTA.
Submission of Bill 139 recommendations to the Standing Committee: On March 25, 2009, CASSA submitted the recommendations to Bill 139 to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly and expressed support to the proposed bill urging the Committee to incorporate the amendments to make it more effective.
Read more about this campaign 
Welcoming Communities Initiative Project
Welcoming Communities Initiative (WCI) is a three year project funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The aim of the project is to bring multi-stakeholders together to address access, equity and inclusion in municipalities across Ontario. The long term goal of this project is to engage immigrants as partners in the community building process through a more equitable, accessible and inclusive approach. In March, CASSA launched a series of Community Dialogues to assess and prioritize our communities’ equity needs and goals. Community members’ participation in these dialogues has been enthusiastic and lively and a number of issues emerged. Among these issues was the need for sensitivity training in race, gender and sexual orientation for elementary and secondary school staff; the need for public spaces for community use; increased services for advocacy work; and, more women-only recreational facilities. To reach even more York Region residents, a quick, one page survey has been designed to record the concerns of those unable to attend in person. The survey is available at www.cassa.on.ca. After the dialogues and surveys are over, the recommendations will be presented to the municipalities and School Boards in York Region in a Public Forum on May 9th, 2009.
York Region Equity Council’s First Planning Meeting was held at the Thornhill Community Centre on March 11, 2009. The aim of the council is to address and bring the issues and barriers faced by immigrant communities to the notice of the municipalities, school boards and non-profit sector.
Read more about this campaign
Youth Engagement Updates
South Asian Youth Advisory Committee (SAYAC) was set up by CASSA to involve youth in a variety of events celebrating youth activism and social justice. A volunteer orientation meeting was held in CASSA office on March 30, 2009 to involve more young activists in the 2nd annual “Fires of Resistance: South Asian Youth Igniting Action” Youth Conference to be held in May. Interested youth are encouraged to join our team!
Read more about this campaign
Upcoming Events and Volunteer Orientation Meetings:
Child Care 101 workshops
The South Asian Women's Rights Organization – April 12th, 4-7pm
Ontario Bangladeshi Cultural Society – April 18th or April 19th, 3-6pm
Punjabi Community Health Services - April 26th, 1-4pm
South Asian Community Support Canada – April 12th, 4-7pm
United Muslim Women of Canada – Monday April 27th, 5:30-8:30pm
Please email Fariah Chowdhury at fariah@cassa.on.ca for more information and location details.
Putting equity on Agenda. ARE WE BEING HEARD? Public Forum – May 9th, 2009. Please email Anita Khanna at anita@cassa.on.ca for more information and location details.
May 6th – CASSA & CLC will jointly host May Day and South Asian Heritage Month celebration in recognition of the efforts and achievements of workers and the labor movement. Space is limited so register early!
Youth Engagement Events
May 10th – Youth Leadership Retreat- CASSA is organizing a special full day leadership training retreat in Scarborough for 30 youth from various South Asian communities in the City of Toronto to increase civic engagement and community involvement.
May 25th – 29th – South Asian Heritage Month Display at City Hall for the whole week!
May 30th – 2nd Annual “Fires of Resistance: South Asian Youth Igniting Action” Youth Conference
Please email Nitole Quader at nitole@cassa.on.ca for more information and location details.
CASSA Volunteer Orientation Sessions
Scarborough
April 16, 2009, 6.00 to 8:00 p.m., SAFSS Board Room, Suite 214, 1200 Markham Road
Markham
April 28, 2009, 6.00 to 8:00 p.m., District 5 Station Community Room, 8700 McCowan Road
Mississauga
May 26, 2009, 6.00 to 8:00 p.m., Mississauga Central Library, Classroom 3, 301 Burnhamthorpe Rd.W.
Downtown Toronto
June 23, 2009, 6.00 to 8:00 p.m., CASSA Board Room, Suite 205, 1992 Yonge St.
If you are interested in volunteering, partnering or becoming a member, please email Farhat at farhat@cassa.on.ca. Click here for more information about volunteering with CASSA. Click here to fill out a volunteer application form.
CASSA Membership
You or your organization can also become a member of CASSA, if you wish to support our mission/mandate. Please visit our website www.cassa.on.ca for details on our mission, vision, values and strategic priorities. The members will receive a regular update on various happenings in the social services/social justice field in Ontario's South Asian communities.
Annual Membership fee is only $10 for individuals and $20 for organizations. Joining as a member will also keep you informed of opportunities about jobs, volunteering and community events. Click here for more information about becoming a member of CASSA and its benefits.
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Be sure to visit us on the web at www.cassa.on.ca where you’ll find plenty of up to date information on CASSA weekly activities.
Thank you for your support and for sharing this information with others!
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