Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization

Eid ul-Adha Mubarak to all who are celebrating 🌙

May this special time be filled with peace, joy, and togetherness.

May 24–30 is National AccessAbility Week in Canada.

This week celebrates the contributions and leadership of people with diverse abilities and encourages us all to reflect on how we can build more accessible, barrier-free communities.

Accessibility goes beyond physical spaces—it includes communication, services, opportunities, and the ways we support one another. By listening, learning, and taking action, we can help create communities where everyone can participate and thrive.

⏳ Tomorrow is the day!

Our team is getting ready to run, walk, and make an impact—are you ready?

Come cheer us on and be part of the energy!

Can’t make it in person? You can still support.
Donate or share with your network: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ociso2026

Every bit of support helps us go further - from one generation to the next.

See you at the start line!

📢 Deadline Extended!

The MDSF application deadline has been extended to Friday, May 29, 2026.

If you or someone you know may qualify, we encourage you to apply and help spread the word within the community.

Thank you for your support! 💙

Earlier this month, OCISO officially opened the Youth Lounge at our 1800 Bank Street location — a welcoming space created for youth to relax, connect, and simply be themselves.

There are not enough spaces where young people can gather without pressure, schedules, or expectations. The Youth Lounge was created to offer exactly that: a safe and supportive environment where youth feel they belong.

One of the most meaningful moments from the opening was having one of the youngest participants in our youth programs join our CEO Mary Roman and Board Chair George Enei for the ribbon cutting. It was a special reminder that this space was built with youth, and for youth.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this milestone and to everyone who helped make this vision possible.

A special thank you to our current and former staff members who volunteered their time, energy, and care to help bring the Youth Lounge to life.

To all youth in our community — this space is yours. 💙

Want to see what’s happening at the Youth Lounge? Stay tuned for YOCISO’s monthly youth activities, events, and programs designed to help youth connect, learn, and have fun together! Find more details: https://ociso.org/youth-services/

⏳ Three days to go!

For many newcomers, a “new start” isn’t just a phrase—it’s a real journey.

A new city. A new language. A new life to build.

This weekend, our community will be running and walking to support those journeys.

Even if you’re not joining the race, you can still stand with them. A small donation can make a meaningful difference.

👉 Support here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ociso2026

Every step matters - from one generation to the next.

Many of us remember what it felt like to arrive somewhere new, learning how things work, finding our place, starting over.

Maybe it was you. Maybe it was your parents.

This weekend, through Run for a New Start, we’re coming together to support others who are on that same journey today.

If you can’t make it in person, you can still be part of it. Your donation helps someone take their next step forward.

👉 Support the campaign here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ociso2026

Let’s carry it forward - from one generation to the next.

Happy Victoria Day!

Please note that OCISO offices will be closed on Monday, May 18.

Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing long weekend as we celebrate one of Canada’s historic holidays and welcome the start of the summer season.