Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I enroll with FEW for free?

Yes. All of FEW’s services are offered free to immigrant and visible minority women.

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How do I enroll in a FEW program?

Contact FEW to set up an initial meeting with an intake coordinator or career counselor. You can also drop into our office located at 33 Bridgeport Road West, Waterloo, during regular business hours. For directions, please click here.

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Immigrant and visible minority women are defined as women who are born outside of Canada but presently reside in Canada as permanent residents, and/or women born in Canada who appear different from the majority of the population by their physical appearance, language, accent, behavioural characteristics, traditional dress and skin colour.

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Do participants enroll in all of FEW’s programs?

Immigrant and visible minority women may enroll in as many FEW programs as they wish. However, since different programs are tailored to different needs, most of our participants only participate in the program(s) that best suit their individual needs.

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Are programs offered at different times during the year?

Yes. FEW’s various programs have rolling enrollment dates and are offered many times throughout the year. Please contact us for upcoming session dates and times.

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Is the Learner Resource Centre open to immigrant and visible minority women not enrolled in FEW programs?

Yes. The Learner Resource Centre is open during regular business hours. Its library and computer lab may be accessed by immigrant and visible minority women not presently enrolled in FEW programs. Resources include reference materials, multilingual dictionaries, ESL books and videos, typing programs, Internet access, and more.

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Who teaches FEW programs?

FEW programs are taught by a staff of dedicated women, many of whom have experienced firsthand the challenges that immigrant and visible minority women face in Canada. FEW employees work as a team and share their skills and experiences to best benefit participants.

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What barriers do immigrant and visible minority women face in Canadian society?

Immigrant and visible minority women face multiple barriers as they strive to succeed in Canadian society, including: language, religion, customs, heritage, dress, skin colour, discrimination and system racism. Many women must overcome social dislocation, inability to communicate in English, differences in cultural norms and values, limited financial resources, and lack of appropriate skills. These women also have any strengths and talents which they can contribute to Canadian society through community integration.

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