Crisis intervention provides counseling in establishing safety plans, transitioning to shelters, and providing information on affordable housing and legal services
Stittsville Rotary welcomed Josephine Nakato Basudde as their guest speaker on February 14, 2023.
Putting her experience of practicing social work for the past 35 years to good use, for the past two years Josephine has managed the crisis and counseling department at Immigrant Women's Services in Ottawa.
The mission of the organization is to provide support through programs that address safety and continued wellbeing from gender-based violence, access to health care, employment, housing and community integration with the support of the language interpretation department.
The majority of clients are newcomers, either refugees, immigrants, or international students. Language barriers, limited finances, immigration status, and employment opportunities can limit engagement in their communities.
Crisis and counseling services are offered in 70 languages including crisis intervention counseling in establishing safety plans, transitioning to shelters, and providing information on affordable housing and legal services for those seeking separation and divorce. Support groups help reduce isolation and create safe environments that enable the creation of friendships amongst the participants. Clients also learn to navigate the systems of housing applications, school systems.
Josephine identified food insecurity including the increase in food prices, hunger and the possibility of malnutrition as the major issues with their clients. Programming includes the provision of food vouchers, movie & museum passes, children's friendly outdoor summer camps and activities.
http://immigrantwomenservices.com