South Asian Women and Immigrants' Services
About South Asian Women and Immigrants' Services
Founded in 2007 by women in the Oakridge-Crescent Town neighbourhood of Scarborough, ON, South Asian Women and Immigrants' Services (SAWIS) represents a grassroots movement toward community empowerment and economic stability. Originally established as the South Asian Women's Rights Organization (SAWRO), SAWIS has evolved into a community-based association dedicated to the empowerment and integration of immigrant women while working to reduce poverty within the community.
What sets SAWIS apart is its commitment to solutions designed by and for the women it serves. Rather than imposing external programs, SAWIS builds capacity within the community, enabling local women to take leading roles in addressing the challenges they face. This philosophy has guided the organization's work for nearly two decades, supported by partnerships with respected institutions including the United Way, Metcalf Foundation, and Ontario Trillium Foundation.
In response to the critical need for economic opportunity in Scarborough's most vulnerable neighbourhoods, SAWIS has concentrated recent efforts on employment and employability programs. The organization recognizes that despite high levels of education, motivation, and skills from their home countries, many immigrant women lack Canadian work experience and marketable credentials. SAWIS stands as a trusted community partner, helping women gain the confidence, training, and connections needed to restart their careers and build secure futures for themselves and their families in Ontario.