AWARDS &
RECOGNITION
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AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Over the years, CIWA has been honoured to receive recognition for our commitment to immigrant women and their families by the community. Below is a list of awards and recognitions CIWA has received:
- 2025 Outstanding Nonprofit Agency Award at the South Asian Inspiration Awards
- 2025 Inclusive Organization Award by Immigrant Champions of Canada (ICC), September 2025
- 2025 Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award (LIA) presented by ABC Life Literacy Canada, September 2025
- 2025 Ivor Carvalho Award presented by the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC), May 2025
- 2024 Appreciation Award presented by MD International, December 2024
- 2024 Alberta Immigrant Impact Award in the category of Newcomer Champion Award presented to Paula Calderon, October 2024
- 2023 United Way Calgary Bhayana Awards presented to Azita Afsharnejat (One on One Counselling for Immigrant Women Program) by Bhayana Family Foundation, January 2024
- Because Mothers Matter Awards presented to Luz Buritica (HIPPY Program Coordinator), by The Mothers Matter Centre, May 2023
- Girls at Bat All-Star Coach Award presented to Layla Al-Yasiri (Youth Program Volunteer), by Jays Care Foundation, November 2021
- Girls at Bat All-Star Athlete Award presented to Elizabeth Olufowobi (Youth Program Client), by Jays Care Foundation, November 2021
- Girls at Bat Community Excellence Award presented to Youth Program, by Jays Care Foundation, November 2021
- Girls at Bat Community Spirit Award presented to Youth Program, by Jays Care Foundation, November 2021
- Celebrating the Work in the Field presented to Jenny Krabbe, by Calgary Learns, July 2021
- Because Mothers Matter Awards presented to HIPPY Mom Nusrat Awan, by Mothers Matter Centre in May 2021
- Canada’s Most Powerful CEOs presented to Beba Svigir, by KPMG in December 2020
- Certificate of Recognition presented to Vandana Sharma, by South Asian Canadian Association in collaboration with North of McKnight Communities Society in October 2020
- Certificate of Recognition presented to Vandana Sharma, by the Hon. Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Community and Social Services, Mr. Jasraj Singh Hallan, Member of Parliament, and Mr. Devinder Toor, Member of Legislative Assembly in July 2020
- Arab Women of Excellence Award in the category of Community Service presented to Noha Elhakim, Settlement Counsellor in June 2019
- Making a Difference for Women Award presented to Beba Svigir, CEO, by Soroptimist International of Calgary in April 2018
- Leaders in Diversity Award presented to CIWA by the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers Western (“FACL Western”) in March 2018
- Leadership in Family Violence Prevention Award – Individual award presented to Bela Gupta, Counsellor, by Alberta Government in March 2018
- Merit Award – Community Service Category presented to Jade Duong, Board Director, by Alberta Justice and Solicitor General in March 2018
- “She Who Dares” award presented to Fiona Fairley, Career Counsellor, by YWCA Calgary in November 2017
- Women in Law Leadership Award (WILL award) – Leadership in the Community category presented to Sarah King D’Souza Q.C., Past Board Chair, by Association of Women Lawyers & The Counsel Network in November 2017
- Innovation Award presented to CIWA by The Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Literacy in September 2017
- “150 Ways in 150 Days” non-profit organization of choice for the month presented to CIWA by Clark Builders Community Foundation (CBCF) in August 2017
- ‘You Rock’ Award presented to CIWA by Calgary Youth Justice Society in May 2017
- Appreciation Award presented to CIWA by the Welcome Centre in April 2017
- Obsidian Awards – Immigrant Community Service and PhilanthropistBusiness & Professional Women (BPW) Award to mark the Canadian milestone of 100 years of Women’s Suffrage presented to CIWA in August 2016
- Life of Learning Award (LOLA) in the category of Learning Champion presented to CIWA in April 2016
- United Way’s Divisional Recognition Award presented to CIWA, by United Way Of Calgary in February 2016
- Aspen’s HOPE Award for Agency Collaboration presented to CIWA in November 2015
- 2025 Outstanding Nonprofit Agency Award at the South Asian Inspiration Awards
- 2025 Inclusive Organization Award by Immigrant Champions of Canada (ICC), September 2025
- 2025 Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award (LIA) presented by ABC Life Literacy Canada, September 2025
- 2025 Ivor Carvalho Award presented by the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC), May 2025
- 2024 Appreciation Award presented by MD International, December 2024
- 2024 Alberta Immigrant Impact Award in the category of Newcomer Champion Award presented to Paula Calderon, October 2024
- 2023 United Way Calgary Bhayana Awards presented to Azita Afsharnejat (One on One Counselling for Immigrant Women Program) by Bhayana Family Foundation, January 2024
- Because Mothers Matter Awards presented to Luz Buritica (HIPPY Program Coordinator), by The Mothers Matter Centre, May 2023
- Girls at Bat All-Star Coach Award presented to Layla Al-Yasiri (Youth Program Volunteer), by Jays Care Foundation, November 2021
- Girls at Bat All-Star Athlete Award presented to Elizabeth Olufowobi (Youth Program Client), by Jays Care Foundation, November 2021
- Girls at Bat Community Excellence Award presented to Youth Program, by Jays Care Foundation, November 2021
- Girls at Bat Community Spirit Award presented to Youth Program, by Jays Care Foundation, November 2021
- Celebrating the Work in the Field presented to Jenny Krabbe, by Calgary Learns, July 2021
- Because Mothers Matter Awards presented to HIPPY Mom Nusrat Awan, by Mothers Matter Centre in May 2021
- Canada’s Most Powerful CEOs presented to Beba Svigir, by KPMG in December 2020
- Certificate of Recognition presented to Vandana Sharma, by South Asian Canadian Association in collaboration with North of McKnight Communities Society in October 2020
- Certificate of Recognition presented to Vandana Sharma, by the Hon. Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Community and Social Services, Mr. Jasraj Singh Hallan, Member of Parliament, and Mr. Devinder Toor, Member of Legislative Assembly in July 2020
- Arab Women of Excellence Award in the category of Community Service presented to Noha Elhakim, Settlement Counsellor in June 2019
- Making a Difference for Women Award presented to Beba Svigir, CEO, by Soroptimist International of Calgary in April 2018
- Leaders in Diversity Award presented to CIWA by the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers Western (“FACL Western”) in March 2018
- Leadership in Family Violence Prevention Award – Individual award presented to Bela Gupta, Counsellor, by Alberta Government in March 2018
- Merit Award – Community Service Category presented to Jade Duong, Board Director, by Alberta Justice and Solicitor General in March 2018
- “She Who Dares” award presented to Fiona Fairley, Career Counsellor, by YWCA Calgary in November 2017
- Women in Law Leadership Award (WILL award) – Leadership in the Community category presented to Sarah King D’Souza Q.C., Past Board Chair, by Association of Women Lawyers & The Counsel Network in November 2017
- Innovation Award presented to CIWA by The Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Literacy in September 2017
- “150 Ways in 150 Days” non-profit organization of choice for the month presented to CIWA by Clark Builders Community Foundation (CBCF) in August 2017
- ‘You Rock’ Award presented to CIWA by Calgary Youth Justice Society in May 2017
- Appreciation Award presented to CIWA by the Welcome Centre in April 2017
- Obsidian Awards – Immigrant Community Service and PhilanthropistBusiness & Professional Women (BPW) Award to mark the Canadian milestone of 100 years of Women’s Suffrage presented to CIWA in August 2016
- Life of Learning Award (LOLA) in the category of Learning Champion presented to CIWA in April 2016
- United Way’s Divisional Recognition Award presented to CIWA, by United Way Of Calgary in February 2016
- Aspen’s HOPE Award for Agency Collaboration presented to CIWA in November 2015
- Council of the Federation Literacy Award for the province of Alberta presented to CIWA in November 2014.
- Heart of Calgary Award presented to Amal Umar, Board Chair, in April 2014
- Calgary Herald Christmas Fund presented to CIWA in 2013
- Community Partner of the Year Award presented to CIWA, by Goodwill Greatness Awards in September 2013
- Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life Literacy Innovation Award presented to CIWA’s Low Literacy Modular Employment Program in 2013
- 2010 Literacy Alberta Award of Excellence in the Student Category presented to Zomkey Zomkey, Pebbles in the Sand participant in 2010
- Canada’s Citizenship Award presented to Shokoofeh Moussavi, Settlement and Integration Department Manager, in 2010
- ConocoPhillips’ Youth of Distinction Volunteerism Award presented to Jennifer Bhatla, Youth Program participant, in May 2010
- Life of Learning Award presented to Linda Faulkner, Pebbles in the Sand Facilitator, by Calgary Learns in 2010
- Woman of Vision Award presented to Beba Svigir, CEO, by Global TV Calgary in July 2009
- Partnership Award presented to Michele Neider, Family Services Department Manager, by Calgary and Area, Child and Family Services’ inaugural Awards of Excellence in November 2008
- Spirit, Culture and Leadership Award presented to The Girls Culture Club, by the City of Calgary in 2008
- Area’s Spirit of Gold Award presented to CIWA, by United Way Of Calgary in February 2008
- Shell Spirit of the Future Award presented to Chica Ibelo, CIWA volunteer, in July 2005
- Spirits of Gold Diversity Award presented to CIWA, by United Way Of Calgary in February 2003
- Salute to Excellence Award presented to CIWA, by Calgary Chamber of Commerce
- Canada Peace Medal Award presented to CIWA, by YMCA in 2002
- Women of Distinction Award presented to Sutherland, CIWA’s Executive Director, in 2001
- Community Vision Award of Merit presented to CIWA, by First Calgary Savings in 2001
- 2000 Citation for Citizenship Award presented to CIWA
- Queen’s Jubilee Medals presented to former Executive Director, Edna Sutherland and Volunteer Program Coordinator, Janeth Alonso in 2002
- Jerry P. Sellinger Award presented to Shokoofeh Moussavi, Settlement and Integration Manager, in 2002
- C-CALA’s Life of Learning Awards presented to Desiree Lopez, Program Designer/Director, in 2001