OCASI, in collaboration with Future Black Female and Coalition to End Violence Against Women (CEVAW), invites you to a Hybrid Forum:
Settlement and Gender-Based Violence (GBV): Culturally Responsive and Prevention-Focused Approaches in Newcomer Communities.
- Date: May 26, 2026
- Time: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Location: In-person at White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa at 253 Taylor Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
- or attend virtually via Zoom.
Register to attend in person!
Register to attend online!
About this Event
The overall objective of this full-day professional development training forum is to support settlement service staff in better understanding how newcomer, immigrant, and refugee settlement challenges intersect with safety, gender-based violence, and experiences of trauma. The training aims to strengthen staff confidence in building safer spaces and in engaging clients through culturally safe, trauma and violence-informed, and prevention-focused approaches. The sessions will focus on practical strategies for early information-sharing, early intervention, and critical conversations that prioritize safety and client choice, as well as coordinated responses and cross-sector collaboration that support newcomer well-being and prevent situations from escalating into crisis.
Session 1: Settlement Realities and Early Support.
Session 2: Culturally Safe Engagement and Prevention in Settlement Practice.
Session 3: Early Settlement Education – Rights, Responsibilities, and Expectations in Canada.
Session 4: Building Safer Pathways: Supporting Black Communities Through Settlement and GBV Response.
Speakers:
- Ana Ulloa (She/Her) | Settlement Counsellor | Freelancer
- Tehreem Zafar (She/Her) Director | Health Equity and Newcomer Services | YWCA Hamilton
- Rose Karborani (She/Her)Manager | Immigrant Settlement Services, Case Management | Welcome Centre | Orientation to Ontario and International Student Facilitators Supervisor | BridgesNiagara.ca
- Maryann Macharia (She/Her) | Community Engagement Lead | Future Black Female
- Monique Maison (She/Her) | Community Engagement Worker | Future Black Female
In-Person Event Registration Deadline: May 18, 2026
Light breakfast, lunch, and refreshments will be provided.
ASL English/Interpreters Provided
If you have any questions, please contact Tarana Sultan at: tsultan@ocasi.org
Organizations are welcome to display their materials. To book a display space, please get in touch with Tarana Sultan at: tsultan@ocasi.org