Olive Tree Foundation awards grant to support refugee and immigrant women

The Olive Tree Foundation has awarded a grant to the Refugee Women’s Network for the project, ‘Women Helping Women’ that will provide a confidential, safe space for refugee and new immigrant women to provide counseling and direction as they settle in their new community. 

““A grant from Olive Tree Foundation means having the resources to help refugee women combat racism and Islamophobia as they settle in their community. And the comfort to know that we live in a pluralistic society,” said Zein Dhanidina, Executive Director of Refugee Women’s Network. 

“The Olive Tree Foundation is pleased to fund this project that will support refugee and immigrant women who are facing multiple barriers, including language, wearing cultural clothes like the hijab, making them a target.” said Muhammed Haseeb Ali, Treasurer of the Olive Tree Foundation. ”This project will help these women understand these challenges they must face in Canada and how to overcome them.”    

The ‘Women Helping Women Group is a safe space for women to share and ask questions about their health, their rights, and most importantly, to understand they are welcome to practice their culture and their faith in Canada.  

It also encourages refugee women to use the tools provided to better their lives. For women struggling with domestic violence, with racism, with islamophobia, they find comfort speaking to the other women in the support group.  

The impact of the program increases a refugee woman’s chance of success. It also gives them an opportunity to gain employable skills.  

Refugee Women's Network is supported by a committed, dedicated, group of volunteers serving on the Board of Directors. Their role is to ensure our programs are aligned with our mission and vision of the organization. The Board members include 70% women (100% women of colour) who were once immigrants to Canada and can empathize with their clients.  

The Olive Tree Foundation is a philanthropic foundation that promotes community development through the collection of endowed funds and charitable contributions to fund services for the long-term benefit of the community.