CDWCR seeks to improve the lives and working conditions of caregivers and domestic workers through information counseling organizing support networks educational and training programs referrals for legal advice and temporary accommodation

can affect their PR application She also provided helpful information on how to deal with these problems

- Angie Lisao presented the computation of application fees and other expenses required when applying for PR

- Lotis Caluza presented how to pay the fees and mail the documents

(Contrsquod on page 3)

As part of its 2012 Care-Net Project the Vancouver Committee for Domestic Workers and Caregivers Rights (CDWCR) held a workshop on October 21 2012 on Preparing for Permanent Resident (PR) Application It was held at South Vancouver Neighbourhood House Victoria Drive Vancouver and was attended by 50 participants The workshop was facilitated by the following CDWCR volunteers covering various topics

- Cenen Bagon discussed eligibility requirements to apply for permanent residence under the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) and highlighted pointers on how not lose status while under the LCP

- Judith Diesta presented the documents required to apply for PR

- Darla Tomeldan works at West Coast Domestic Workers Association (WCDWA) as Legal Advocate She showed how to fill up the application forms for Permanent Residence and Open Work Permit Her presentation summarized common problems and issues encountered by caregivers that

Lorina Serafico Receives Maharlika Award You are invited CDWCR is celebrating its 20th Anniversary on December 1 2012 at 500PM This will also serve as CDWCRrsquos Christmas Holiday celebration We are inviting all our members and their families our friends and supporters to share this milestone with us This will be held at Victoria Drive Community Hallat 2026 East 43rd Ave Vancouver BC

Lorina Serafico one of the founding members of CDWCR received a Maharlika Award in recognition of her community service to the Filipino community The Maharlika Awards Night was held at the Delta Hotel in Burnaby BC last October 20 2012 The Maharlika Awards were organized by the Filipino Canadian Cultural Heritage Society (FCCHS) Lorina currently works at Scotiabank as Financial Solutions Specialist However her greatest satisfaction comes from being able to help other domestic workers and caregivers build their lives in Canada through the work of CDWCR and assisting new immigrants especially Filipinos through her work at Scotiabank We are proud of you Lorina and thank you for all the work that you do for CDWCR and the caregivers and domestic workers

Highlights

Domesticrsquos Issues 2

Retreat 2

Halloween Dance 2

Care-Net Updates 3

Announcements 4

Darla Tomeldan at CDWCR workshop explaining common issues encountered by live-in caregivers that can

affect their PR application

Domesticsrsquo Info Vancouver Committee for Domestic Workers and Caregivers Rights

NOVEMBER 2012

Applying for PR How to Deal with Common Issues and Problems

Participants posed at the front of the dorm in Bowen Island where they stayed a place very conducive to learning

2 November 2012 DOMESTICSrsquo INFO

QampA on Domesticsrsquo Issues Question I am a caregiver under LCP In six months I will complete the 24 months of work and will be eligible to apply for PR but I have the following concerns

- when I changed employer my previous employer did not give me my Record of Employment (ROE) and - I am married but indicated during my work permit application that I was single

I heard that these can affect my PR application What should I do Answer If you are unable to get your ROE from your former employer you can use other documents to support your application like Income Tax T4 and pay slips However you should also demonstrate that you exerted effort to obtain your ROE In order to do so you can send a letter to your former employer requesting for the copy of your ROE Send the letter as registered mail and obtain a proof of receipt You can include the copy of the letter and proof of receipt along with the other documents to prove your employment when you apply for your PR It would be better to do this as early as possible With regard to your other question you should correct your marital status as soon as possible Seek legal advice on how to best handle this You can contact the West Coast Domestic Workers Association at 6046694482 one of their mandates is to provide legal advice and they can help you handle this

CDWCR Retreat Tackles Violence against Women The Vancouver Committee for Domestic Workers and Caregivers Rights (CDWCR) held a workshop on Violence Against Women as part of its weekend retreat held last October 5-7 2012 in Bowen Island It was attended by CDWCR steering committee and core members It was facilitated by Martha Ocampo of Caregivers Connection a Toronto based organization of domestic workers and caregivers The learning was accomplished through presentation group discussion and sharing and role playing Some of the topics discussed during the workshop include

- How women are socialized and its impact on their life - Understanding feminism women abuse and different forms

of violence - Practical guidelines on how to support victims of violence - Case studies

Some discussions also revolved around cyber bullying and elderly abuse Two youths attended the retreat and brought up some fresh ideas during the discussions At the end the retreat some concrete action plans were proposed which included a plan to hold a workshop for caregivers and domestic workers focusing on how to deal with violence against women Due to the sensitivity of the issue it was also discussed that small informal discussions should be organized first as a preparation for the workshop

The informal discussions will focus on three groups youth elderly and caregiversdomestic workers It also brought up the possibility of forming a youth group within CDWCR The youth group will be comprised of children of caregivers and former caregivers and domestic workers This will serve as a support group and will provide mentoring to children of caregivers and domestic workers to help them adjust to their new life in Canada The retreat provided participants with practical knowledge on how to deal with violence against women whether on a personal level or in the work that they do with CDWCR However the participants recognized that they still need to continue studying and learning to fully understand this complex issue

Halloween Fundraising Dance

CDWCR members friends and supporters came in their best and most creative costumes during the Halloween Fundraising Dance last October 27 2012 at Victoria Drive Community Hall Vancouver BC CDWCR would like to thank all the volunteers who helped organize the event those supporters who donated door prizes and all of those who attended

and problem solve some common childcare concerns and challenges In the course of the workshop participants (caregivers and supporters) were able to understand the ripple effect of nurturing children in creating positive change and contributing to the growth of Canadian society The workshop was an eye opener for caregivers as they began to understand that the nurturing they provide everyday plays a significant role in developing strong resilient and happy children These children have the potential to become nurturing and resilient adults who will provide positive contributions to the community This yearrsquos Financial Basics workshop was facilitated by Lorina Serafico a volunteer at CDWCR and Financial Solutions Specialist at Scotiabank Stacy Yanchuk Olesky Director of Education and Community Awareness of the Credit Counseling Society (a non-profit organization) served as the resource speaker It was attended by 32 participants (Contrsquod on page 4)

3 November 2012 DOMESTICSrsquo INFO

- While still on LCP avoid doing any unauthorized work (eg

working without valid work permit or working for employers other than the one specified on the work permit)

Darla also indicated that CIC had done some changes in their processing procedures They have been issuing open work permit to caregivers under LCP within a month after submitting the application prior to the review of the PR application This is a positive change however the processing time for PR application under LCP is still very long with an average processing time of 32 months This results in prolonged family separation (can be as long as seven years ndash with up to four years to complete LCP and three years to get PR) and longer instability in life for most caregivers under the program Darla also emphasized that while PR application is in-process CIC does not recommend that caregivers leave Canada unless it is an emergency This means that caregivers can not visit their family outside Canada while their PR application is in process making the separation more difficult Reunification issues and the problems that result from prolonged family separation can only be avoided if CIC grants caregivers landed status on arrival This is one of the reasons why CDWCR has been advocating for landed status now Overall the workshop presented valuable and comprehensive information to help caregivers when they apply for their PR The information can help them to be more proactive to avoid any of the potential problems and issues discussed

Resource Speakers ndash Cecilia Tumolva (above) and Reneth Sanchez (right) ndash both are trained child care providers

2012 Care-Net Project Updates CDWCR concluded the Care-Net Project for 2012 by completing the last four workshops All the workshops were held at South Vancouver Neighbourhood House Victoria Drive Vancouver The workshops included - Aug 19 2012 Child Care Skills - Theory and Practice - Sep 23 2012 Financial Basics - Oct 21 2012 Preparing for Permanent Resident Status (see article on page 1) - Nov 18 2012 Preparing for Life after LCP The Child Care Skills Workshop was facilitated by Cecilia Tumolva and Reneth Sanchez both are volunteers of CDWCR It was attended by 37 participants Reneth presented some helpful information on how to set-up a Family Daycare Reneth operates her own family daycare She also covered important guidelines in operating and programming a family daycare Cecilia discussed the different areas and stages of child development and some best practice approaches in childcare She stressed the value and importance of childcare that caregivers provide to children and the invaluable impact of childcare to families and to Canada in general During the workshop each participant was able to share a bit of her experience as a caregiver through different interactive activities and engaging discussion It is all too common that caregivers are always spoken to and told what to do This workshop provided opportunities for caregivers to speak up share and be listened to as they learned and understand the importance of the work that they do Participants felt safe and comfortable to ask questions They were able to discuss

Applying for PR contrsquod from page 1 The following are some of the pointers in order to avoid issues and problems while applying for PR - Make sure that all the forms are current and properly and

accurately filled out Download all the forms from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website

- Know all the requirements and prepare them ahead of time as much as possible (eg police clearance of family members passports) Submit all the requirements with the application incomplete application can delay the processing

- Make sure to accurately calculate the eligible work experience under LCP to apply for PR Do not include in your calculation any period of unemployment any extended time outside Canada and any period you work for your employer outside Canada There were applications that were rejected because they were short by one week in their work experience or their calculation for the eligible work was wrong

- If you did not provide truthful information about your education training or experience marital status or family information to the visa officer when you first applied under the Live-In Caregiver Program this can affect your application You should correct any misrepresented information as soon as possible

- If you or your family members have any serious medical condition or criminal record these can affect your PR application Seek advice from a credible organization or legal advice so you can start determining what you need to do to address them prior to the PR application

Participants posed at the front of the dorm in Bowen Island where they stayed a place very conducive to learning

2 November 2012 DOMESTICSrsquo INFO

QampA on Domesticsrsquo Issues Question I am a caregiver under LCP In six months I will complete the 24 months of work and will be eligible to apply for PR but I have the following concerns

- when I changed employer my previous employer did not give me my Record of Employment (ROE) and - I am married but indicated during my work permit application that I was single

I heard that these can affect my PR application What should I do Answer If you are unable to get your ROE from your former employer you can use other documents to support your application like Income Tax T4 and pay slips However you should also demonstrate that you exerted effort to obtain your ROE In order to do so you can send a letter to your former employer requesting for the copy of your ROE Send the letter as registered mail and obtain a proof of receipt You can include the copy of the letter and proof of receipt along with the other documents to prove your employment when you apply for your PR It would be better to do this as early as possible With regard to your other question you should correct your marital status as soon as possible Seek legal advice on how to best handle this You can contact the West Coast Domestic Workers Association at 6046694482 one of their mandates is to provide legal advice and they can help you handle this

CDWCR Retreat Tackles Violence against Women The Vancouver Committee for Domestic Workers and Caregivers Rights (CDWCR) held a workshop on Violence Against Women as part of its weekend retreat held last October 5-7 2012 in Bowen Island It was attended by CDWCR steering committee and core members It was facilitated by Martha Ocampo of Caregivers Connection a Toronto based organization of domestic workers and caregivers The learning was accomplished through presentation group discussion and sharing and role playing Some of the topics discussed during the workshop include

- How women are socialized and its impact on their life - Understanding feminism women abuse and different forms

of violence - Practical guidelines on how to support victims of violence - Case studies

Some discussions also revolved around cyber bullying and elderly abuse Two youths attended the retreat and brought up some fresh ideas during the discussions At the end the retreat some concrete action plans were proposed which included a plan to hold a workshop for caregivers and domestic workers focusing on how to deal with violence against women Due to the sensitivity of the issue it was also discussed that small informal discussions should be organized first as a preparation for the workshop

The informal discussions will focus on three groups youth elderly and caregiversdomestic workers It also brought up the possibility of forming a youth group within CDWCR The youth group will be comprised of children of caregivers and former caregivers and domestic workers This will serve as a support group and will provide mentoring to children of caregivers and domestic workers to help them adjust to their new life in Canada The retreat provided participants with practical knowledge on how to deal with violence against women whether on a personal level or in the work that they do with CDWCR However the participants recognized that they still need to continue studying and learning to fully understand this complex issue

Halloween Fundraising Dance

CDWCR members friends and supporters came in their best and most creative costumes during the Halloween Fundraising Dance last October 27 2012 at Victoria Drive Community Hall Vancouver BC CDWCR would like to thank all the volunteers who helped organize the event those supporters who donated door prizes and all of those who attended

and problem solve some common childcare concerns and challenges In the course of the workshop participants (caregivers and supporters) were able to understand the ripple effect of nurturing children in creating positive change and contributing to the growth of Canadian society The workshop was an eye opener for caregivers as they began to understand that the nurturing they provide everyday plays a significant role in developing strong resilient and happy children These children have the potential to become nurturing and resilient adults who will provide positive contributions to the community This yearrsquos Financial Basics workshop was facilitated by Lorina Serafico a volunteer at CDWCR and Financial Solutions Specialist at Scotiabank Stacy Yanchuk Olesky Director of Education and Community Awareness of the Credit Counseling Society (a non-profit organization) served as the resource speaker It was attended by 32 participants (Contrsquod on page 4)

3 November 2012 DOMESTICSrsquo INFO

- While still on LCP avoid doing any unauthorized work (eg

working without valid work permit or working for employers other than the one specified on the work permit)

Darla also indicated that CIC had done some changes in their processing procedures They have been issuing open work permit to caregivers under LCP within a month after submitting the application prior to the review of the PR application This is a positive change however the processing time for PR application under LCP is still very long with an average processing time of 32 months This results in prolonged family separation (can be as long as seven years ndash with up to four years to complete LCP and three years to get PR) and longer instability in life for most caregivers under the program Darla also emphasized that while PR application is in-process CIC does not recommend that caregivers leave Canada unless it is an emergency This means that caregivers can not visit their family outside Canada while their PR application is in process making the separation more difficult Reunification issues and the problems that result from prolonged family separation can only be avoided if CIC grants caregivers landed status on arrival This is one of the reasons why CDWCR has been advocating for landed status now Overall the workshop presented valuable and comprehensive information to help caregivers when they apply for their PR The information can help them to be more proactive to avoid any of the potential problems and issues discussed

Resource Speakers ndash Cecilia Tumolva (above) and Reneth Sanchez (right) ndash both are trained child care providers

2012 Care-Net Project Updates CDWCR concluded the Care-Net Project for 2012 by completing the last four workshops All the workshops were held at South Vancouver Neighbourhood House Victoria Drive Vancouver The workshops included - Aug 19 2012 Child Care Skills - Theory and Practice - Sep 23 2012 Financial Basics - Oct 21 2012 Preparing for Permanent Resident Status (see article on page 1) - Nov 18 2012 Preparing for Life after LCP The Child Care Skills Workshop was facilitated by Cecilia Tumolva and Reneth Sanchez both are volunteers of CDWCR It was attended by 37 participants Reneth presented some helpful information on how to set-up a Family Daycare Reneth operates her own family daycare She also covered important guidelines in operating and programming a family daycare Cecilia discussed the different areas and stages of child development and some best practice approaches in childcare She stressed the value and importance of childcare that caregivers provide to children and the invaluable impact of childcare to families and to Canada in general During the workshop each participant was able to share a bit of her experience as a caregiver through different interactive activities and engaging discussion It is all too common that caregivers are always spoken to and told what to do This workshop provided opportunities for caregivers to speak up share and be listened to as they learned and understand the importance of the work that they do Participants felt safe and comfortable to ask questions They were able to discuss

Applying for PR contrsquod from page 1 The following are some of the pointers in order to avoid issues and problems while applying for PR - Make sure that all the forms are current and properly and

accurately filled out Download all the forms from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website

- Know all the requirements and prepare them ahead of time as much as possible (eg police clearance of family members passports) Submit all the requirements with the application incomplete application can delay the processing

- Make sure to accurately calculate the eligible work experience under LCP to apply for PR Do not include in your calculation any period of unemployment any extended time outside Canada and any period you work for your employer outside Canada There were applications that were rejected because they were short by one week in their work experience or their calculation for the eligible work was wrong

- If you did not provide truthful information about your education training or experience marital status or family information to the visa officer when you first applied under the Live-In Caregiver Program this can affect your application You should correct any misrepresented information as soon as possible

- If you or your family members have any serious medical condition or criminal record these can affect your PR application Seek advice from a credible organization or legal advice so you can start determining what you need to do to address them prior to the PR application

and problem solve some common childcare concerns and challenges In the course of the workshop participants (caregivers and supporters) were able to understand the ripple effect of nurturing children in creating positive change and contributing to the growth of Canadian society The workshop was an eye opener for caregivers as they began to understand that the nurturing they provide everyday plays a significant role in developing strong resilient and happy children These children have the potential to become nurturing and resilient adults who will provide positive contributions to the community This yearrsquos Financial Basics workshop was facilitated by Lorina Serafico a volunteer at CDWCR and Financial Solutions Specialist at Scotiabank Stacy Yanchuk Olesky Director of Education and Community Awareness of the Credit Counseling Society (a non-profit organization) served as the resource speaker It was attended by 32 participants (Contrsquod on page 4)

3 November 2012 DOMESTICSrsquo INFO

- While still on LCP avoid doing any unauthorized work (eg

working without valid work permit or working for employers other than the one specified on the work permit)

Darla also indicated that CIC had done some changes in their processing procedures They have been issuing open work permit to caregivers under LCP within a month after submitting the application prior to the review of the PR application This is a positive change however the processing time for PR application under LCP is still very long with an average processing time of 32 months This results in prolonged family separation (can be as long as seven years ndash with up to four years to complete LCP and three years to get PR) and longer instability in life for most caregivers under the program Darla also emphasized that while PR application is in-process CIC does not recommend that caregivers leave Canada unless it is an emergency This means that caregivers can not visit their family outside Canada while their PR application is in process making the separation more difficult Reunification issues and the problems that result from prolonged family separation can only be avoided if CIC grants caregivers landed status on arrival This is one of the reasons why CDWCR has been advocating for landed status now Overall the workshop presented valuable and comprehensive information to help caregivers when they apply for their PR The information can help them to be more proactive to avoid any of the potential problems and issues discussed

Resource Speakers ndash Cecilia Tumolva (above) and Reneth Sanchez (right) ndash both are trained child care providers

2012 Care-Net Project Updates CDWCR concluded the Care-Net Project for 2012 by completing the last four workshops All the workshops were held at South Vancouver Neighbourhood House Victoria Drive Vancouver The workshops included - Aug 19 2012 Child Care Skills - Theory and Practice - Sep 23 2012 Financial Basics - Oct 21 2012 Preparing for Permanent Resident Status (see article on page 1) - Nov 18 2012 Preparing for Life after LCP The Child Care Skills Workshop was facilitated by Cecilia Tumolva and Reneth Sanchez both are volunteers of CDWCR It was attended by 37 participants Reneth presented some helpful information on how to set-up a Family Daycare Reneth operates her own family daycare She also covered important guidelines in operating and programming a family daycare Cecilia discussed the different areas and stages of child development and some best practice approaches in childcare She stressed the value and importance of childcare that caregivers provide to children and the invaluable impact of childcare to families and to Canada in general During the workshop each participant was able to share a bit of her experience as a caregiver through different interactive activities and engaging discussion It is all too common that caregivers are always spoken to and told what to do This workshop provided opportunities for caregivers to speak up share and be listened to as they learned and understand the importance of the work that they do Participants felt safe and comfortable to ask questions They were able to discuss

Applying for PR contrsquod from page 1 The following are some of the pointers in order to avoid issues and problems while applying for PR - Make sure that all the forms are current and properly and

accurately filled out Download all the forms from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website

- Know all the requirements and prepare them ahead of time as much as possible (eg police clearance of family members passports) Submit all the requirements with the application incomplete application can delay the processing

- Make sure to accurately calculate the eligible work experience under LCP to apply for PR Do not include in your calculation any period of unemployment any extended time outside Canada and any period you work for your employer outside Canada There were applications that were rejected because they were short by one week in their work experience or their calculation for the eligible work was wrong

- If you did not provide truthful information about your education training or experience marital status or family information to the visa officer when you first applied under the Live-In Caregiver Program this can affect your application You should correct any misrepresented information as soon as possible

- If you or your family members have any serious medical condition or criminal record these can affect your PR application Seek advice from a credible organization or legal advice so you can start determining what you need to do to address them prior to the PR application

Care-Net contrsquod from page 3 The workshop on financial basics provided information so caregivers can learn how to create a spending plan (budgeting) and avoid debts Stacyrsquos presentation highlighted the importance of budgeting She stressed that budgeting allows you to maintain control over your finances know that you can meet your needs live within your means and have freedom to make choices She also provided some helpful budgeting tips which included the following Set financial goals ndash this will help you make

spending choices that are in line with your goals and values

Track expenses periodically ndash keep it simple and involve everyone in the house

Impulse spending ndash know your triggers and keep your money safe from yourself

Manage fluctuating or irregular household income effectively

Caregivers under LCP are often faced with financial obligations including sending financial support to their families back home They also need to save money in preparation for their application for PR and family reunification CDWCR hopes that the knowledge gained during this workshop will help caregivers in dealing with these financial responsibilities The workshop focusing on Preparing for Life after LCP was attended by 21 participants Liza Bautista Employment Manager of Settlement and Integration Program- Immigrant Services of BC (ISS) presented the different services available at ISS These include programs like Building Settlement and Integration Program and Employment and Community Connection She also highlighted that under the umbrella of ISS is the

We wish to thank bull BCGEU (British Columbia Government amp Service Employees Union) bull HEU (Hospital Employees Union) bull COPE (Canadian Office and Profession Employees Union) Local 378 bull HSA (Health Sciences Association of BC) bull WCDWA ( West Coast Domestic Workers Association) bull Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISS) We also want to acknowledge everyones effort in putting our newsletter together Thank you very much for all your contributions

Skills Connect that provides free training opportunities and funding for upgrading She also emphasized the importance of volunteering as an opportunity to gain Canadian work experience Liza is one of the advocates of ELSA (English Language Services for Adults) Chit Arma Settlement Worker of ISS discussed housing accreditation and other settlement services Rommel Mannikan Settlement Worker in Schools of Vancouver School Board of Education provided information on services like how to avail of orientation briefings for new families and referrals for newcomers Rommel encouraged participants to seek Filipino settlement workers to assist them in availing of these different services Lina Elnas and Nita Abundo both members of CDWCR were asked to share personal experiences challenges and success stories as they settle in Canada Lina shared how CDWCR and the Care-Net Project helped her to become more assertive in negotiating her wage while still in LCP Nita on the other hand shared how she was able to get a job related to her training and education in the Philippines after obtaining her work permit She encouraged participants to have their credentials and educational levels accredited as soon as they arrive in Canada and not wait until they receive their PR status This yearrsquos Care-Net project was made possible with funding from British Columbia Government amp Service Employees Union (BCGEU) and through the untiring work of CDWCR members and volunteers who organized all the workshops CDWCR also extends its appreciation to all the resource speakers who gave their time and shared their expertise CDWCR is happy to announce that the Care-Net Project is continuing in 2013 Refer to the Announcement for details and schedule p4

T

ANNOUNCEMENT Upcoming 2013

CDWCR Care-Net Project Workshops Feb 17 2013 ndash Immigration Forum March 24 2013- Income Tax Workshop April 21 2013 - Financial Literacy June 23 2013 - Employment Standards Branch Aug 18 2013 - Childcare Sept 22 2013- Communication Oct 20 2013- Preparing for PR Nov 17 2013- Life after LCP Workshops are held at

South Vancouver Neighbourhood House 6470 Victoria Drive and

49th Avenue Vancouver BC

1pm to 5pm Free lunch 12pm- 1pm

To register phone (604) 874-0649

OTHER ACTIVITIES

May 12 2013 ndash AGM June 30 2013 ndash Canada Day Picnic July 21 2013 ndash Summer Picnic Oct 26 2013 ndash Halloween Fundraising Dance Dec 7 2013 - 21st CDWCR Anniversary Details to be announced For updates and more information visit our websitehttpwwwcdwcrorg

Membership Form Mail to CDWCR PO Box 37033 Vancouver BC V5P 3X0 For inquiries (604) 874-0649 Yes I want to help the Vancouver Committee for Domestic Workers and Caregivers Rights (CDWCR)

Sign me up I want to become a CDWCR member (membership is $5year) Date of Membership ________________________________

I would like to make a donation to CDWCR lsquos work (Sorry we are not registered for tax deductible donations) Name _______________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________ City _____________________ Province _______Postal Code ________ Email address________________________ Telephone Number Home______________ Cell ________________

4 November 2012 DOMESTICSrsquo INFO