Gabriela Covaci, #IWD2021 Guest

Since arriving in Canada from Romania in 2003, I have strived to continuously bring new and established newcomers together to build a stronger and more welcoming community. I am employed with the Halton District School Board within their International Language Program and with Mohawk College as an Employment Consultant and part-time continuing education teacher. As a dynamic career specialist, I am passionate about helping students discover their potential and guiding them towards informed decisions about their education and career pathways leading to success.

Even though we never had a "real club," we always had informal gatherings, empowering our kids and families. We never searched for the lime-light, with our community work, content to call on our squad when life events unfolded. We were a group of Romanian women living in Southern Ontario who drew strength and inspiration from each other and our shared pasts.

In 2007, we created a non-profit called RoCaTeach with a desire to keep our cultural and linguistic entities alive and create a bridge of knowledge between two continents. We had a love for our homeland and educating Canadian children and adults of Romanian heritage within Southern Ontario and abroad. This collaboration was the spark that ignited the fire.

As the group founder, my motto was always that no idea was considered nonsense or impossible to help women or children in need. For me, it is not only about a single random act of kindness, but a movement of women helping others in need, recognizing you could be their only support. Over the 15 years, we created and participated in over 100 events around our region.

Five years ago, we started working with YWCA Hamilton women in the "Transitional Living Program." Twice a year, RoCaTeach collects donations to celebrate International Women's Day and Christmas program we call "From Our Table to Yours." Our organization donates and creates over 120 goody bags for women filled with gourmet food treats and handmade clothing accessories. Although the pandemic cancelled the Christmas dinner this year, we continued to support the program through additional donations to bring the joy of the season to the women.

Since 2013, over 24,000 people in 6 countries across 6 continents have participated in "IA La Blouse Roumaine," displaying Romainian art and beauty of fabric and design together with ancient artifacts. This organic movement explains the meaning of the Romanian blouse, displayed both on Facebook and in person.

Our efforts continue to embrace and celebrate multiculturalism in Canada. As a group, we crocheted giant medals together with the City of Toronto group called "Weaving Community Crocheting," being showcased during the "Happening Multicultural Festival" in May 2021.

The pandemic exemplified the isolation that newcomers often feel, many alone and without family. Connection to community and church has been reduced, and children are missing their friends. To address the loneliness that many Romainian members experience, we created several online communities. The benefits of fitness and movement brought together teams to compete in Canada's "Great Big Move" virtual fitness competition. The connections made through this activity soon saw our group grow to 42 women, meeting virtually daily to chat and move together.

Our group supported children with live virtual events for Christmas and Easter and a monthly workshop called "The Mama Ruta Loom," providing online activities for children in Canada and worldwide. Recognizing the disappointment of high school students missing out on their 2020 graduation, the community supported our group again in providing congratulatory lawn signs to graduates in Hamilton and Halton to recognize their significant achievements.

While developing programs for isolated women and children, we continued our community outreach by thanking front-line workers. Nominations were received, and our group was supported by local businesses to provide flowers and thank you notes to these essential workers within Halton.

The RoCaTeach, also know as the Arts4PeopleMovement organization believes in empowering others to build a strong and supportive community, welcoming newcomers and embracing diversity. For more information on our work, please visit:

https://rocateachcanada.wordpress.com/about/

https://www.facebook.com/rocateach.canada

https://www.instagram.com/rocateach/?hl=en