Event Report Date: August 28, 2026 Organizer: Active Resilience of Immigrant Families in Ontario (RAFIO) Guest Speaker: Officer Chris Nungisa Theme: Youth Engagement, Dialogue with Law Enforcement, and Strengthening Community Trust Background of the Activity As part of its initiatives to promote inclusion, community engagement, and positive relationships between young people and institutions, RAFIO organized an interactive workshop on August 28, 2026, entitled “Breaking Barri

Event Report Date: September 28, 2026 Organizer: Incubator13 Activity: “Youth Voices – Shaping Mental Health Services in Ottawa” Location: Incubator13 – Rideau High School, 815 St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Target Audience: Youth aged 13 to 19 Theme: Youth participation, mental health, and improving services in Ottawa Activity Overview RAFIO was pleased to participate in the “Youth Voices – Shaping Mental Health Services in Ottawa” event, a gather

Event Report Date: September 24–25, 2026 Organizer: Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne (AFFC) Event: Annual Conference of the Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne (AFFC) Theme: Family Caregiving, the Realities of Francophone Afro-Caribbean Women, and the Migration Context Activity Background RAFIO was pleased to participate in the Annual Conference of the Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne (AFFC), held in Ottawa on September 24 and 2

Event Report Date: September 25, 2026 Organizer: Résilience Active des Familles Immigrantes en Ontario (RAFIO) Project: “Together Against Hate: Strengthening Inclusion and Community Resilience” Theme: Mental Health, Emotional Expression, Creativity, and Well-Being Activity Background As part of its initiatives to promote well-being, self-expression, and youth resilience, RAFIO organized an artistic and educational activity entitled “The Emotion Mask – Expressing How We Feel”

Event Report Date: September 19, 2026 Organizer: Résilience Active des Familles Immigrantes en Ontario (RAFIO) Project: “Together Against Hate: Strengthening Inclusion and Community Resilience” Theme: Intercultural Dialogue, Community Connections, and Inclusion Activity Background As part of its initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and community resilience, RAFIO organized an intercultural dialogue workshop entitled “Building Bridges and Bringing People Together” on S

Event Report Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026 Location: Strathcona Park, 25 Range Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 8J4 Time: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Participating Organization: Résilience Active des Familles Immigrantes en Ontario (RAFIO) Theme: Intercultural Community Gathering – Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Founding of Bytown in Ottawa Event Background As part of Ottawa’s bicentennial celebrations, RAFIO participated in an intercultural community gathering to comme

Event Report Date: Friday, September 4, 2026 Location: RAFIO Offices – Ottawa, Ontario Host Organization: Résilience Active des Familles Immigrantes en Ontario (RAFIO) Guests: The Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier–Gloucester, and Ms. Sandrine Roland, Director of AOS Africa Theme: Community Engagement, Discussion with Community Organizations, and Community Connections Meeting Overview On Friday, September 4, 2026, RAFIO had the pleasure of welcomi

Event Report Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026 Location: 270 Marier Avenue, Vanier, ON K1L 5P8 Organizer: Résilience Active des Familles Immigrantes en Ontario (RAFIO) Project: “Together Against Hate: Strengthening Inclusion and Community Resilience” Theme: Understanding Racism, Combating Discrimination, Inclusion, and Community Resilience Activity Overview On Saturday, August 29, 2026, RAFIO had the pleasure of bringing community members together as part of the project “Togeth

Event Report Location: Vanier, Ottawa, Ontario Organizer: Office of the Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Vanier Participants: Seniors supported by RAFIO Theme: Community Engagement, Socialization, and Relationship Building Activity Overview The seniors supported by RAFIO were personally invited to participate in the Vanier Annual Community Barbecue, organized by the Honourable Mona Fortier. This invitation provided RAFIO seniors with an opportunity to take pa

Event Report Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026 Location: Calypso Water Park Organizer: Résilience Active des Familles Immigrantes en Ontario (RAFIO) Theme: Intergenerational Connection, Socialization, Inclusion, and Community Well-Being Activity Overview On Thursday, August 13, 2026, youth and seniors supported by RAFIO participated in a recreational outing to Calypso Water Park. The activity aimed to create an opportunity for people from different generations within the commun

Event Report Date: Friday, July 31, 2026 Location: RAFIO Office – 235 Montréal Road, Unit 203, Vanier, Ontario, K1L 6C7 Theme: Artificial Intelligence Awareness, Digital Literacy, and Critical Thinking Development Activity Overview On Friday, July 31, 2026, RAFIO youth participated in an interactive activity dedicated to exploring artificial intelligence (AI). The session aimed to raise awareness among young people about a technology that is increasingly present in their dail

Event Report Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026 Location: RAFIO Office – 235 Montréal Road, Unit 203, Vanier, Ontario, K1L 6C7 Project: “Aging Well Together: Breaking Isolation and Building Connections” Theme: Socialization, Combating Social Isolation, and Active Aging Activity Overview On Saturday, July 25, 2026, RAFIO seniors gathered for a community barbecue organized as part of the project “Aging Well Together: Breaking Isolation and Building Connections.” The activity aimed t

Event Report Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026 Location: RAFIO Office – 235 Montréal Road, Unit 203, Vanier, Ontario, K1L 6C7 Theme: Digital Skills Development, Independence, and Digital Inclusion Activity Overview On Saturday, July 25, 2026, RAFIO seniors participated in a computer literacy class aimed at strengthening their digital skills and promoting independence in an increasingly connected world. The activity aimed to support participants in using everyday technological too

Event Report Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026 Location: RAFIO Office – 235 Montréal Road, Unit 203, Vanier, Ontario, K1L 6C7 Theme: Physical Activity, Active Aging, Well-Being, and Socialization Activity Overview On Saturday, July 25, 2026, RAFIO seniors gathered for a fitness walk organized to promote physical activity, well-being, and social interaction among participants. This activity was part of RAFIO’s efforts to promote active aging. Its objective was to encourage seniors

Activity Report Date: Friday, July 24, 2026 Location: RAFIO Office – 235 Montréal Road, Unit 203, Vanier, Ontario, K1L 6C7 Theme: Building self-confidence and strengthening self-esteem Activity Overview On Friday, July 24, 2026, RAFIO youth participated in an interactive activity focused on developing self-confidence, an important skill for their personal, social, and academic development. The purpose of the activity was to encourage participants to reflect on how they percei

Activity Report Date: Friday, July 17, 2026 Location: RAFIO Office – 235 Montréal Road, Unit 203, Vanier, Ontario, K1L 6C7 Theme: Different communication styles and the importance of healthy and respectful communication Activity Overview On Friday, July 17, 2026, RAFIO youth participated in a workshop focused on different communication styles. The purpose of the activity was to help participants better understand their own ways of communicating and develop strategies that pro

Activity Report Date: Friday, July 10, 2026 Location: RAFIO Office – 235 Montréal Road, Unit 203, Vanier, Ontario Theme: Cultural diversity, cultural sharing, and inclusion Activity Overview On Friday, July 10, 2026, RAFIO organized a youth activity focused on discovering and sharing the different cultures represented within the group. The purpose of the activity was to create a space where youth could introduce their cultural backgrounds, share their traditions, and learn mo

Activity Report Date: Friday, July 3, 2026 Location: RAFIO Office – 233 Montréal Road, Suite 204, Ottawa, Ontario Theme: Youth consultation on psychological well-being and mental health among Black Francophone youth Activity Overview On Friday, July 3, 2026, RAFIO youth, in partnership with Family Services and Counselling Ottawa (SFC), participated in a consultation activity marking the launch of a new psychological well-being promotion program for Black Francophone youth age

Activity Report Date: Friday, June 26, 2026 Location: RAFIO Office – 235 Montréal Road, Suite 203, Ottawa, Ontario Theme: Board games, socialization, leadership, and youth engagement Activity Overview On Friday, June 26, 2026, RAFIO organized a youth activity centered around board games, socialization, and strengthening relationships among young people. The purpose of the activity was to provide youth with a warm, inclusive, and welcoming space where they could spend time tog

Activity Report Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026 Location: La Cité – Ottawa, Ontario Organizer: RAFIO Target Audience: Youth from Grades 7 to 12 Introduction On Thursday, June 25, 2026, RAFIO youth from Grades 7 through 12 participated in an educational visit to La Cité as part of an activity designed to introduce them to post-secondary education opportunities. The purpose of the visit was to encourage young people to pursue their education in French, introduce them to the wide

Activity Report Date: Friday, June 19, 2026 Location: RAFIO Offices – 235 Montreal Road, Unit 203, Vanier, Ontario K1L 6C7 Project: Spaces of Expression Theme: Expressing Emotions Through Drawing Introduction On Friday, June 19, 2026, as part of the Spaces of Expression project, RAFIO organized an art therapy activity focused on expressing emotions through drawing. The purpose of this activity was to provide young people with a safe, supportive, and judgment-free environment

Activity Report Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026 Location: RAFIO Offices – 235 Montreal Road, Unit 203, Vanier, Ontario K1L 6C7 Project: Spaces of Expression Theme: Participatory Art Therapy and Youth Expression Introduction On Thursday, June 11, 2026, as part of the Spaces of Expression project, RAFIO organized a participatory art therapy activity designed to provide young people with a safe, inclusive, and judgment-free environment where they could explore mental health throug

Event Report Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Organizer: RAFIO Project: Growing Older Together: Breaking Isolation and Building Connections Funding: Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) – New Horizons for Seniors Program Introduction On Saturday, May 30, 2026, RAFIO officially launched its project, “Growing Older Together: Breaking Isolation and Building Connections,” dedicated to supporting seniors in the community. This warm, welcoming, and.

Event Report Date: Friday, June 5, 2026 Location: RAFIO Offices – 235 Montréal Road, Unit 203, Vanier, ON K1L 6C7 Theme: Communicating with Parents and Asking for Help Overview of the Activity On Friday, June 5, 2026, RAFIO organized a youth workshop focused on improving communication with parents and encouraging young people to seek help when needed. The objective of the session was to strengthen participants’ communication skills, emotional expression, and confidence in dis

Event Report Date of activity: Saturday, August 30, 2025 Location: Calypso Water Park Organized by: RAFIO 1. Context and Objectives of the Activity As part of its mission to promote integration, well-being, and personal development among youth, RAFIO organized a recreational outing to Calypso Water Park on Saturday, August 30, 2025. The main objectives of this activity were to: Provide young participants with a day of relaxation and entertainment Strengthen social bonds and t

Event Report Date: Friday, May 23, 2026 Location: RAFIO offices – 235 Montréal Road, Ottawa Theme: Understanding and managing anxiety Overview of the Activity On Friday, May 23, 2026, RAFIO organized a youth workshop focused on understanding and managing anxiety. The goal of the session was to help young participants better understand the causes and effects of anxiety while introducing practical tools to manage stress in daily life. The workshop took place in a warm, engaging

Event Report Date: November 2, 2024 Location: Cooperation Integration Canada (CICAN) – 404 McArthur Avenue, Suite 209, Ottawa, ON K1K 1G8 Theme: Awareness on family violence and domestic violence Target audience: Community members, social workers, and health professionals Introduction The event organized by CICAN aimed to raise awareness within the community about issues related to family and domestic violence. It sought to inform participants about warning signs, psychologic

Event Report Date: June 25, 2024 Locations: 310 Olmstead Street & 235 Montréal Road Theme: “Self-care as a single mother” Partner: SFC Ottawa Introduction On June 25, 2024, RAFIO organized a workshop titled “Self-care as a single mother” in partnership with SFC Ottawa. The event aimed to provide a safe space for reflection and sharing on the importance of personal well-being for single mothers. Workshop Overview The workshop brought together a group of single mothers in a war

Event Report Date: June 25, 2023 Location: 303 Kendall Avenue, Ottawa Theme: Understanding the link between mental health and financial health to strengthen well-being Key Concepts Mental health refers to a person’s overall emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It includes how we think, feel, and behave, as well as our ability to cope with stress, manage emotions, build healthy relationships, and make decisions. Good mental health is reflected in positive self-este

RAFIO presents the interview conducted within the organization ABEPOG (Association of Black Entrepreneurs and Professionals of Ottawa and Gatineau). As part of the “Résilience” project, our Executive Director, Antoinette Irarera, was invited to participate in this meaningful initiative, and we are pleased to share it with you. For the full interview, please click the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv44CCKYp1A

Event Report Date: July 16, 2024 Location: 310 Olmstead Street Organizer: RAFIO (Active Resilience of Immigrant Families in Ontario) Target Groups: Single-parent families, youth, seniors Introduction On July 16, 2024, RAFIO organized a consultation and exchange event bringing together members from three key groups: single-parent families, youth, and seniors. The main objective was to identify the emerging needs of these specific groups and develop appropriate response strateg

Event Report: Date: July 26, 2024 Location: 310 Olmstead Street Theme: “Strategic Planning” (Funded by TROPICANA) Partner: SFC Ottawa Introduction On July 26, 2024, RAFIO organized a key strategic planning event aimed at improving its interventions for the groups it serves. The event took place at the offices of SFC Ottawa (our partner) and brought together various participants to discuss and develop a strategic plan focused on service improvement and overall governance withi

Event Report: Date: August 26, 2023 Location: 303 Kendall Avenue, Ottawa Theme: Aging in Canada: How to Manage and Succeed in Your Social Life Introduction This report aims to outline the success of the event titled “Aging in Canada: How to Manage and Succeed in Your Social Life”, which took place on August 26, 2023, with a group of seniors. The main objective of this event was to explore strategies for maintaining a fulfilling social life while highlighting activities that p

Event Date: October 29, 2023 Location: 303 Kendall Avenue, Ottawa Hosting Organizations: CICAN (Cooperation Integration Canada) and RAFIO (Active Resilience of Immigrant Families in Ontario) Introduction The event titled “The Role of Seniors in Managing Their Mental Health” was organized by CICAN in collaboration with local partners. The objective of this event was to raise awareness within the community about the importance of seniors’ mental health and to highlight the acti

Event Report Date of the event: June 15, 2024 Location: 303 Kendall Ave Participants: Twenty immigrant seniors Main facilitators: Apollinaire Yengayenge, staff member at Collège La Cité Prosper Munezero, financial expert Partner: Desjardins Introduction On June 15, 2024, RAFIO organized an event focused on financial health and family conflict management among immigrant seniors. In partnership with Desjardins, the event aimed to strengthen participants’ skills in these essenti

Workshop Report Date and Time: September 11, 2024, 5:00 PM Location: Service Familial et Counseling Ottawa Facilitator: Reginald Alexis Target Audience: Seniors from the Burundian community Introduction This workshop was organized to raise awareness among Burundian community seniors about mental health and to provide them with tools to identify factors that may affect it. The session is part of a broader approach to support and prevention in mental health for older adults. Wo

Workshop Report Date and Time: September 18, 2024, 5:00 PM Location: Service Familial et Counseling Ottawa Facilitator: Reginald Alexis Target Audience: Seniors from the Burundian community Introduction This workshop was the second in a series organized to raise awareness among Burundian community seniors about mental health. The main objective of this session was to develop strategies to improve the mental well-being of immigrant seniors, taking into account the specific cha

Workshop Report Date and Time: October 2, 2024, at 5:00 PM Location: Service Familial et Counseling Ottawa Facilitator: Reginald Alexis Target Audience: Seniors from the Burundian community Introduction This workshop, the third in a series dedicated to the mental health of immigrant seniors, aimed to explore strategies to improve the mental well-being of older immigrants, particularly by reducing isolation and better managing stress. Workshop Overview The session began with a

Event Report Date and Time: August 20, 2024, 1:00 PM Location: Ottawa Inn Hotel Parking Lot Organizer: Vanier Community Centre Event Description The Vanier Community Centre organized a community BBQ in the parking lot of the Ottawa Inn Hotel. The event aimed to bring together community members and encourage meaningful interactions with the various organizations that serve them. Among these organizations, RAFIO was present to share its services and initiatives. Participants Lo

Event Report Date and Time: August 24, 2024, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Location: 689 St. Laurent Boulevard Organizer: Mona Fortier and her team Event Description On August 24, 2024, Mona Fortier and her team organized a community BBQ at 689 St. Laurent Boulevard. The goal of the event was to bring the local community together in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, offering a great opportunity for residents to meet other families, neighbors, and local elected officials. More than a

Conference Report Date and Location: September 12–13, 2024 – Marriott Hotel, Toronto Organizer: Tropicana Community Services Target Audience: Organizations receiving funding for capacity building of Black-led organizations in Canada Introduction The conference “Initiating Change for Transformed Communities” brought together several organizations committed to the development and capacity building of Black-led organizations in Canada. Organized by Tropicana Community Services,

Event Report Date and Time: September 26, 2024 Location: Centre Pauline-Charron Facilitator: Mona Fortier Target Audience: Community members Introduction The “Spaghetti Dinner with Mona Fortier” workshop was organized to bring community members together for a friendly gathering and an exchange on topics of common interest. The event allowed participants to discuss various local issues while sharing a meal. Workshop Overview The event began with a warm welcome to participants,

Event Report Date and Location: September 28, 2024 – Vanier Hub Organizer: ABÉPOG Target Audience: Members of the Afro-Caribbean community and the general public Introduction The Afro-Caribbean Community Market Sales Day, organized by ABÉPOG at the Vanier Hub, was a vibrant event aimed at promoting local products, strengthening community ties, and supporting Afro-Caribbean entrepreneurs. This initiative allowed vendors to showcase their products while offering visitors a wide

Activity Report Date and Time: October 16, 2024 (Full Day) Location: RAFIO Office – 235 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Ontario Facilitator: Nelson Jean‑François Target Audience: RAFIO beneficiaries (youth, single-parent families, and seniors) Introduction This consultation session was organized to gather feedback from RAFIO beneficiaries regarding the services provided by the organization and to identify ways to better meet the needs of Black and Francophone immigrant communities. Th

Forum Report Date: October 22–24, 2024 Location: 1 College Way, Frank Nighbor Street, Pembroke, ON K8A 0C8 Theme: “Beyond Differences: Strengthening the Foundations of an Inclusive Future” Introduction The RSIFEO organized the 12th edition of its Regional Forum from October 22 to 24, 2024, in Pembroke, Ontario. This event brought together key stakeholders in Francophone immigration across Eastern Ontario to discuss critical issues related to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (E

Event Report Date and Time: November 13, 2024 Location: Centre Pauline-Charron Target Audience: Community members, representatives of local organizations, and invited guests Introduction The event organized at Centre Pauline-Charron aimed to bring together several community organizations to promote their services and better inform the public about available resources. This gathering provided a valuable opportunity for community members to learn about local initiatives and bui

Event Report Date and Time: November 15, 2024 Location: 303 Kendall Avenue Organizer: RAFIO Partner: Desjardins Group Introduction RAFIO organized a special event to express its sincere appreciation to its funder, Desjardins, for its financial support of a key project within our organization. The event aimed to highlight the importance of this partnership and to thank Desjardins for its commitment to our mission and the communities we serve. Event Overview The event featured

We are an organization dedicated to promoting mental health and well-being among immigrant seniors, youth, and single-parent families. As part of our commitment to these populations, we have established an advocacy program aimed at supporting their needs and interests. Our advocacy program seeks to raise awareness among policymakers, government agencies, and community partners about the importance of mental health within these vulnerable groups. We strive to influence policie

Event Report Date: November 12, 2022 RAFIO, as a proud member of the Francophone Immigration Network (RIF), participated in the celebration of the network’s 15th anniversary. On November 12, 2022, the network celebrated 15 years of service to Francophone immigrant communities in collaboration with community organizations working with Francophone newcomers. The event was filled with warmth, camaraderie, and celebration. The theme of the celebration focused on achievements in F

Event report: Location : Virtual Theme: Interview with Rose Cathy Handy, President of Connecture Canada ​​ We invite you to watch this wonderful interview with an extraordinary woman involved in the development of the Francophone community. Ms. Rose Cathy Handy, president of Connecture Canada, is an example of female resilience, and it is a pleasure to have her with us and share our experiences.