family & parenting
supports
Programs for your
children and youth
Safe, welcoming programs where young people build confidence, friendships, and skills for their future.
iGLOW (Immigrant Girls Leading Our Way)
What it is: A program for immigrant girls to build confidence, leadership, and friendships. It includes the weekly Girls Culture Club during the school year, a summer camp with Girls At Bat baseball, and youth leadership committees.
Who it’s for: Immigrant girls. No immigration status restrictions. Held at schools, community locations, and the CIWA office.
Ages: Girls 10 to 19.
How it runs: Weekly during the school year (Girls Culture Club), plus a summer camp and leadership committees.
Contact: youthprograms@ciwa.org
What you can gain:
- Make new friends and build leadership skills
- Free homework support
- Peer discussions, interactive activities, and DIY crafts
- Turn your ideas into action in your community
- Learn how to get involved and volunteer
Apply: Registration or intake form link, supplied by CIWA
Learn more: Program flyer link, supplied by CIWA
Quote:
These weeks were full of joy, laughter, and truly wonderful moments. We discovered unexpected talents in ourselves, learned from each other, and built friendships that will stay with us forever. This camp became a place where we could truly be ourselves, grow, and develop.
– Liia, 2024 Summer Camp graduate
Funded By
Immigrant Girls, Boys and More (IGBM)
What it is: Support for immigrant youth to build healthy relationships, emotional wellbeing, cultural balance, and confidence, with counselling, mentorship, and engaging activities.
Who it’s for: Immigrant youth. Held at junior and senior high schools, community locations, and the CIWA office.
Ages: Youth 12 to 18.
How it runs: Group sessions, one-on-one supportive counselling, and career mentorship.
Contact: ShatiqueT@ciwa.org
What you can gain:
- Healthy relationships group sessions
- Free one-on-one supportive counselling
- Career mentorship opportunities
- Communication and conflict resolution skills
- Discussions on culture, values, self-esteem, consent, boundaries, and dating
Apply: Registration or intake form link, supplied by CIWA
Learn more: Program flyer link, supplied by CIWA
Quote:
[No testimonial in the source. Add one, with consent, when available.]
Funded By
Pathways to Success
What it is: A career mentorship program. Girls are matched with a mentor, explore careers, build an education plan, and gain real work experience through a 20-hour job shadow.
Who it’s for: Immigrant girls. Mentorship-based.
Ages: Girls 14 to 21.
How it runs: One-on-one mentorship, workshops, field trips, and a job shadow.
Contact: KatherineS@ciwa.org
What you can gain:
- Get matched with a mentor who shares your interests
- Explore different career paths and meet new friends
- Build pre-employment skills through workshops and field trips
- Experience the workforce with a 20-hour job shadow
- Meet employers and learn from professionals in different fields
Apply: Registration or intake form link, supplied by CIWA
Learn more: Program flyer link, supplied by CIWA
Quote:
No testimonial in the source. Add one, with consent, when available.
Funded By
Family support and
navigation
Help finding the services your family needs, in the city and in rural communities.
Family Resource Network Hub
What it is: A welcoming, family-focused hub that connects your family to services and referrals, and helps you build a strong, healthy, and resilient home.
Who it’s for: New Canadian, immigrant, and refugee families across Calgary. First-language support.
Ages: Children and youth 0 to 18.
How it runs: Available throughout Calgary, through Hubs and Spokes based on the needs of families.
Contact: CalgaryNewcomerFRN@ciwa.org
What you can gain:
- Referrals to other Family Resource Network Hubs and Spokes in Calgary
- Referrals to other agencies for additional support
- Referrals to other CIWA programs
- First-language support
Apply: Registration or intake form link, supplied by CIWA
Learn more: Program flyer link, supplied by CIWA
Quote:
No testimonial in the source. Add one, with consent, when available.
Funded By
FRN Rural Multicultural Supports
What it is: Help for immigrant families in rural Alberta to find culturally responsive services in their region. Offered in partnership with the Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative.
Who it’s for: Immigrant and multicultural families in rural communities across Alberta.
How it runs: Accepts referrals from FRNs, settlement sector agencies, or directly from you, and connects you with resources in your region.
Contact: FRNMulticulturalSupports@ciwa.org
What you can gain:
- Awareness of cultural services available through FRNs in rural communities
- Culturally responsive supports, developed with local FRNs and settlement agencies
- Connections to resources in your region
- Support to integrate into the community through FRNs
Apply: Registration or intake form link, supplied by CIWA
Learn more: Program flyer link, supplied by CIWA
Quote:
No testimonial in the source. Add one, with consent, when available.
Funded By
In-Home Support Program
What it is: In-home parenting support for families working with Children and Family Services, offered with care and in your language. The program provides home visits to build caregiver support and help families with parenting, family violence, and family challenges.
Who it’s for: By referral only. Immigrant, refugee, and citizen parents. Priority is given to Children and Family Services and Child Youth and Family Enhancement Act (CYFEA) referrals.
Ages: Children 0 to 17.
How it runs: Services provided in the family’s home. First-language and culturally sensitive support.
Contact: KashmiraZ@ciwa.org
What you can gain:
- In-home support for parents of children 0 to 17
- Support around parenting, family violence, and family challenges
- First-language and culturally sensitive support
- Referrals to settlement services, community resources, and other CIWA programs
Apply: Registration or intake form link, supplied by CIWA
Learn more: Program flyer link, supplied by CIWA
Quote:
No testimonial in the source. Add one, with consent, when available.
Funded By
hear it from the families
Real stories from families in our programs. Each is shared with permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CIWA Settlement Services free?
Yes. All CIWA Settlement Services are provided free of charge to eligible newcomers and community members.
Who can access Settlement Services?
CIWA is a nonprofit organization that supports immigrant and refugee women, girls, and their families through a wide range of settlement, language, employment, and community programs.
Can I receive support in my own language?
CIWA is a nonprofit organization that supports immigrant and refugee women, girls, and their families through a wide range of settlement, language, employment, and community programs.
What kind of help can I receive?
CIWA is a nonprofit organization that supports immigrant and refugee women, girls, and their families through a wide range of settlement, language, employment, and community programs.
