The following was written by Francisca Guerrero, a Chilean Journalist traveling in Canada. Franscisa was invited to take part in the final meeting of Nuestra Fortaleza, a solidarity group for women living with precarious immigration status in Canada. Women in the group expressed that they wanted their voices heard, their stories understood by others. With permission from women in the group, Francisca wrote the following piece to capture what the group meant to women who participated in Nuestra Fortaleza.
Being a mother, a dedicated worker and of Latin American descent are only a few of the traits that these women have in common. Despite the many responsibilities and adversities that they may face, they are women who were searching, and found a space where they could once again feel safe and supported.
These are part of the reflections that these women have shared. They have come from various locations in Latin American and despite having been in Toronto for several years; they have finally found a space where they have felt “cared for” “integrated” and as “part of a team.”
One woman shared: “when I initially came to this group, I didn’t know what to expect…but what I found in this group was what I had to leave in my home country. I found support, love and care from other women”
Close to ten women decided to take a pause in their daily and at times stressful lives, in order to carve out a space for themselves. Despite being provided with recreational activities such as dance, art and relaxation, among other activities, they found a space where they could discuss their precarious immigration concerns and be supported, listened to and understood.
“Aside from finding friendships in this group, I have found a family…where I have found support, and have been able to discuss my challenges and my joys.”
Many of the participants mentioned that the many life challenges they experience do not allow them to take a break from their problems, however, in the solidarity group, they felt that they could “get things out of my head and my heart, without feeling judged.”
In the same manner, the group facilitators demonstrated their satisfaction for the community that everyone was able to form. Most importantly, as one facilitator described: “you gave yourselves time to take care of you, with the promise that you will continue taking care of yourselves.”
Another woman shared: “I feel lonely often, and it was nice to find a group where we all tried to take care of one another, especially as we travel through our many journeys in this road we call life.”
Although the group sessions have ended, many of the women have mentioned that they wish for the group to continue. As such, the group facilitators have chosen to collaborate together in order to provide these women with another space where the women can continue meeting in order to provide them with a sense of community that they long for in Toronto.