Connections
A welcoming space for immigrant women to help them adapt, connect, and thrive in Canada.
About
Created and led by Masoon Balouch, Connections is a support group that provides a safe and intimate space for women who have newly arrived in Canada, more specifically from the South Asian community living in Parc-Extension.
In this group, women develop trust and build confidence by sharing their feelings, stories, and emotions with each other during a weekly gathering for a three-month period. Local professionals and guests are invited to inspire and share about opportunities for personal development and growth in their new country. Through facilitated group and art-based activities, they get a chance to break their isolation and develop friendships within the group, as well as with other local community members. These activities are designed to help them integrate into Quebec society through friendly and informal interactions while learning more about their environment and finding a healing space within themselves.
Through Connections, Masoon aims to foster peer support and offer a personable accompaniment that complements similar programs and services in Parc-Extension.
Ongoing Activities
Environmental workshops in collaboration with Éco-Quartier Parc Extension
Intergenerational Trauma Healing workshops with Stella Adjokê
Meetings with inspiring local professionals
Creative and art-based storytelling activities
Brique par brique supports and hosts Connections at our cultural centre on Beaumont avenue. Support letters are provided to participants.
How to support
Translation support from english/french to hindi and/or punjabi
Contribute in snacks or art material
Donate to cover Masoon’s expenses and transportation costs for activities outside the centre
About Masoon
Masoon Balouch, born in Pakistan, embarked on her journey to the United States at the age of 21 alongside her first husband. In the US, she pursued a career as a Pharmacy Technician and Quality Supervisor in a pharmaceutical company, dedicating 22 years to this work.
After enduring 17 years in an abusive marriage, she obtained a divorce. A few years later, she entered a new chapter in her life by remarrying and relocating to Montreal, Canada. Through her experiences of immigrating to two different countries, she gained profound insights into the challenges and rewards of such a transition. While the move to a new country can be exhilarating and fulfilling, it also presents hurdles such as adapting to a new culture, language barriers, and homesickness.
Masoon firmly believes that the benefits and opportunities of living in a new country far outweigh the difficulties, turning the journey into a rewarding and life-changing experience. With this conviction, she established the Connections support group, tailored for women who have recently arrived in Parc-Extension and find themselves feeling disoriented and disconnected in their new surroundings. These women often grapple with fear when it comes to interacting with strangers and face challenges in trusting the outside world.
Connections serves as a sanctuary where these women can find stability, openly express their emotions, share moments of laughter and tears, and establish meaningful connections, all without the fear of losing their way. Masoon Balouch's dedication to aiding these women as they navigate the complexities of starting anew in a foreign land underscores her commitment to supporting newcomers in their quest for a better life.
Get in touch masoon@briqueparbrique.com