Local hub to support immigrant women launched

Tashi Farmilo

The Association des femmes immigrantes de l’Outaouais (AFIO) has opened an in-person center, offering a new lifeline to immigrant women through a partnership with the Maison communautaire d’Aylmer and the Partenaires du Secteur Aylmer (PSA). The move comes as the Aylmer area of Outaouais sees a steady rise in newcomer families and a growing demand for culturally sensitive support close to home.

Operating out of 61 rue du Couvent, AFIO’s new office brings a range of services directly to Aylmer residents, from help navigating local resources to psychosocial support and French language learning. The organization’s executive director, Bettyna Bélizaire, says the expansion is part of a broader mission to reduce isolation and foster meaningful integration.

“In addition to referring families to local services, we guide them through registration processes, provide emotional and material support, and offer in-house referrals when needed,” said Bélizaire. “But more than that, we create spaces where women feel seen and heard.”

Programming is already underway. AFIO hosted its first “Bonjour Aylmer” meeting on July 31, for Arabic-speaking women recently arrived in the area. The session introduced participants to local institutions and services, while providing a space to ask questions and build connections with others navigating similar experiences.

Workshops will follow throughout the summer and fall, including informal French practice sessions, mental health discussions on stress and depression, and peer-led events by immigrants with professional expertise. One upcoming session will cover graphic design using Canva, another will focus on crafting Canadian-style CVs. Sessions will be led by women who’ve successfully navigated these challenges themselves.

AFIO’s approach is deliberately flexible. “Our workshops evolve with the needs we see,” said Bélizaire. “We don’t impose a fixed model. If we meet someone with a particular skill or concern, we build from that.”

Locals familiar with Aylmer’s changing demographics may already recognize some of the challenges immigrant women face: language barriers that complicate everything from job searches to school meetings, cultural gaps between generations, and the persistent strain of financial insecurity. AFIO’s team works to address these with practical solutions: offering culinary workshops using food bank staples, encouraging volunteerism as a gateway to social engagement, and improving access to professional resources through targeted referrals.

The organization, now marking its 40th year, has been a key player in supporting immigrant integration across the Outaouais. Its arrival in Aylmer addresses a clear need in the community and is backed by a network of dedicated volunteers and local partners. AFIO’s services focus on immigrant women and many programmes also extend to their families, including spouses and children. This inclusive approach reflects the belief that integration is most successful when it involves the entire household.

AFIO welcomes walk-ins every Thursday from 8:30 - 4:30 pm. Appointments can also be scheduled by phone at 819-776-6764 or by email at info@afio.ca.

For Bélizaire, the goal is simple: “We’re building a space of trust, support, and belonging—right here in the heart of Aylmer.”