Women & Family Support

The Women & Family Support Program is designed to empower African refugee, immigrant, and newcomer women and strengthen family well-being within the Canadian context.

The program addresses the unique challenges faced by women, mothers, teenage girls, and families adjusting to life in Canada—providing emotional, social, educational, and practical support to build healthy, stable, and thriving households.

Program Goals

  • Empower women with knowledge, resources, and confidence to navigate life in Canada.
  • Support healthy families through education, counselling, and interventions.
  • Prevent and address gender-based violence, abuse, or isolation.
  • Strengthen parenting skills and promote positive parent-child relationships.
  • Promote mental health, economic independence, and overall well-being.
  • Support teenage girls and young mothers with tailored guidance and empowerment tools.

Core Components of the Program

This core stream provides:

  • Workshops on self-confidence, leadership, and personal development
  • Understanding women’s rights in Canada
  • Support navigating family law, child protection laws, and settlement issues
  • Skills development for independence (communication, digital skills, financial literacy, etc.)
  • Empowerment for newly arrived women facing cultural or language barriers

ACESS supports diverse family needs through:

  • Family counselling and conflict resolution
  • Mediation for cultural or generational challenges
  • Support for families experiencing stress due to settlement adjustments
  • Parenting education & positive discipline approaches
  • Support for families navigating trauma from displacement or domestic issues

A safe and confidential support system including:

  • Awareness sessions on identifying abuse
  • Safety planning and crisis intervention
  • Referrals to shelters, legal services, and protection agencies
  • Emotional support for survivors of domestic or intimate partner violence
  • Advocacy for women experiencing exploitation or coercion

 

ACESS maintains a trauma-informed, survivor-centered approach.

Tailored support for teen girls and young mothers:

  • Life-skills workshops (confidence, boundaries, decision-making)
  • Sexual and reproductive health education
  • Mentorship and peer support circles
  • Educational support to stay in school
  • Parenting guidance for young mothers
  • Career and financial planning coaching

This component ensures that young women are protected, educated, and empowered.

Support for mothers with infants and young children:

  • Pre- and post-natal education
  • Breastfeeding and infant nutrition support
  • Early childhood development awareness
  • Access to childcare resources and subsidies
  • Parenting classes tailored for newcomers
  • Guidance on navigating Canada’s health system

Recognizing the emotional challenges faced by newcomer women, the program offers:

  • Stress management and coping skills
  • Support groups and healing circles
  • Culturally sensitive counselling referrals
  • Workshops on mental health awareness and destigmatization
  • Wellness activities (exercise groups, art therapy, mindfulness)

To reduce isolation and build social connections, ACESS provides:

  • Women’s community circles & discussion groups
  • Cultural activities and community events
  • Peer mentorship programs
  • Information sessions on Canadian systems (housing, healthcare, education, employment)
  • Connecting women to resources, agencies, and community supports

Empowering women economically through:

  • Employment readiness, resume writing & job search coaching
  • Introduction to trades and high-demand fields
  • Entrepreneurship and small business support
  • Financial literacy training (budgeting, saving, credit building)
  • Access to micro-grants or small start-up supports (where available)
  • Economic empowerment strengthens both women and their families.

Target Beneficiaries

  • Refugee and immigrant women
  • Single mothers
  • Teenage girls and teenage mothers
  • Women experiencing gender-based violence or isolation
  • Families facing settlement challenges
  • New parents adjusting to parenting in Canada
  • Low-income newcomer families
  • Women seeking emotional or mental health support

Get Involved and Make a Difference

Your support helps us empower African communities across Canada. Join us in building stronger, more resilient communities.

click here to donate