Maama Support Circles
Supporting Women, Building Trust
Our Story
Some of us who were survivors began to meet with sisters in crisis to provide mutual support, listen to each other and share solutions of what worked. We saw that this could make a difference. For newcomer women, their Canadian home no longer felt isolated. They could get help navigating the maze of rules and regulations in order to access supports, especially if language was a barrier. Amidst the turmoil in our lives, we still found a way to create laughter, support and solutions, based on our shared cultural traditions and lived experiences.
These supportive circles acted as a warm blanket that insulated us even as we dealt with high rates of unemployment (18.6% for Black women and 20.4% for South Asian women) and lower hourly wages than our non-racialized counterparts. 1
It was through these experiences that the idea of building a broader, community-based, flexible support system with trained facilitators was born.
Under the umbrella of Maama Watali, some of us who were survivors began to meet with sisters in crisis to provide mutual support, listen to each other and share solutions of what worked.
Plan of Action
In May 2022 Maama Support Circles obtained a 3-year grant under the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Family Innovations Test Grant with the intent of helping Black and newcomer women rebuild self-esteem and confidence as part of the healing process after traumatic experiences, to educate and build awareness about the supports available, to help them navigate access to these supports, to re-establish their personal and professional relationships, and to overcome economic barriers, the mental health impact and address stigma brought on by Intimate Partner Violence.
We received funding from the Canadian Women’s Foundation Shock proofing Our Communities Grant to further expand this project.
We will train 3-5 people to be group facilitators and mentors. Once they have undergone an intensive training program, they will conduct community outreach to create youth, seniors, and caregiver circles. Areas will include the Ottawa-East/Orleans, the South/Hunt Club/Albion- Heatherington and Ledbury areas; the West End which includes Michelle Heights.
According to media reports, many of these ethnically and racially diverse neighbourhoods have also been hit hard by the COVID-19 Pandemic.2 Another such area is Ryan Farms in the Southwest area of the city closest to Algonquin College where population density is 675 percent higher than Ottawa, with a population mix of 3.07% Latin American, 2.51% Black and 2.3% South Asian.3 As communities expand and become more diverse, support circles will be expanded.
What We Do
Supporting Women
We are now working to establish 3 to 5 Support Circles which will take the form of drop-in sessions for Black and newcomer women in need of peer support and information on dealing with Intimate Partner or other forms of family violence.
Building Trust
Each group will have 5 to 7 members, and will meet once per month, or twice per month if participants desire. The sessions will be led by trained peer mentors. Each Circle is intended to host a core group of women to build trust and connection, but they will also be fluid and flexible in structure based on women’s needs.
Providing Hope
Mentors will lead with sensitivity and knowledge of the diverse beliefs within our communities, and will provide information and support to women survivors, so that they can navigate the systemic barriers to get the services and supports they need.
Our Team
Susan Namulindwa
Anne Clarke
Our Community Advisory Committee