For Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating our Immigrant Women’s Peer Support Program (IWPSP), which has been a transformative force in the lives of many immigrant and refugee women in Canada. The program empowers participants to overcome the challenges of adapting to a new culture, fostering resilience, confidence, and leadership skills essential for building fulfilling lives in Canada.
How the Program Works
The IWPSP is structured around two main components designed to support immigrant and refugee women through community and leadership development:
1. Training Phase: The program begins with a 100-hour training over 13-14 weeks, led by experts across various fields. This training builds women’s skills in leadership and peer support, preparing them to become community role models.
One participant described this phase as vital, sharing that “each topic taught, every workshop, makes the participants feel integrated, valuable, and capable, providing them with knowledge and tools that empower them as group leaders to support their communities”.
2. Peer-Support Groups: Graduates of the training then facilitate 10-week peer-support groups, which provide a safe and confidential space for newcomer women to connect.
Conducted in first languages or English, these sessions allow participants to “reduce their isolation and forge new friendships” while discussing settlement challenges and sharing coping strategies. Through these groups, many women gain a sense of solidarity and pride, celebrating their own and others’ resilience. This ‘practicum’ period of the study, essentially a practical section of a course of study, is often the favourite part of the program among the participants.
Addressing Unique Challenges
For many newcomer women, adapting to life in Canada involves grappling with language barriers, cultural differences, and the need to create a new support network. As one participant explained, “Many are single moms, wives, workers, students, housewives… the pillar that supports our families. Women need a support network.”
Studies on immigrant integration highlight the critical role of culturally sensitive peer support programs in helping immigrants transition smoothly into their new environments. Research from the Canadian Council on Social Development shows that support networks are essential for newcomers well-being, enabling them to access resources, increase resilience, and build community connections.
An Inspiring Transformation
As participants progress through the IWPSP, they experience a powerful journey of self-growth. What begins as a group of strangers evolves into a strong support network. “Throughout the program, session by session, the group creates bonds that are strengthened,” shared one participant, adding that “the practicum time is the highlight of the program. It is when we reach our communities… providing them the support needed as a newcomer”. This period allows women to directly engage with their communities, offering support that continues long after the program ends.
A growing body of research underscores the positive impact of community engagement on mental health. Studies have found that immigrants who participate in social programs report lower levels of stress, increased self-esteem, and greater overall life satisfaction. For many women in IWPSP, the program serves as a bridge to meaningful community involvement and empowerment.
The Importance of Women-Focused Programs
Programs like IWPSP are vital because they address the unique pressures that immigrant women often face, which can include the “lack of language or professional career recognition.” For many, these programs are a lifeline, empowering them to “trust again in [their] capabilities, discovering new skills and giving us the satisfaction of conquering new challenges”.
Dedicated programs that focus on women have been shown to positively impact mental health, increase social inclusion, and foster a sense of agency among participants. According to a report from the National Immigration Forum, “programs that build social networks for immigrant women also reduce cultural isolation and enable more positive community integration outcomes”.
For newcomer women, IWPSP provides a pathway to rebuild self-confidence, discover untapped skills, and celebrate milestones, both personal and communal. It leaves an enduring legacy, empowering women to make their mark on Canadian society and paving the way for future generations of immigrant women.
If you would like to join our women’s program, please visit the IWPSP page for more information and instructions on how to register.
