Every November, SOFIFRAN celebrates Niagara’s francophone diversity with the community. The 2026 edition is being planned. The exact date and the program will be announced here.
The December gathering for families: a meal, gifts for the children, a show and a chance for the generations to reconnect. In 2025, more than 130 children were celebrated.
SOFIFRAN’s Black History Month festival returns to Niagara in February 2027: shows, exhibitions, gatherings and food. Program to come.
SOFIFRAN is a francophone organization that promotes the participation of immigrants in economic and social life, while supporting their artistic and cultural growth, for a better integration into Canada.
Founded in 2007 in Welland by French-speaking immigrant women, SOFIFRAN supports women and their families in social, economic, educational and cultural matters.
Photo: Jogendra Singh, Unsplash
News
In pictures On 25 September 2026, Franco-Ontarian Day, SOFIFRAN was in front of Welland city hall for the raising of the green and white flag, alongside the community, the schools and the partners.
In pictures On Friday 25 September 2026, the day of the Franco-Ontarian flag raising, Welland Mayor Frank Campion said his farewells. SOFIFRAN thanks him for all these years alongside the Francophonie.
In pictures On 20 September 2026, members, volunteers and partners gathered at the ABC communautaire in Welland, in person and online, for SOFIFRAN’s Annual General Meeting and the presentation of the 2025-2026 report.
In pictures As part of its new project "Building capacity for equitable services for refugees and newcomers", SOFIFRAN held a community mobilization session that brought together more than thirty participants on July 26, 2026, at Église Sacré-Coeur in Welland.
In pictures Djembe drumming, dance, science, movement and a field trip: students at École élémentaire Du Chêne, Patricia-Picknell, Horizon Jeunesse and Dyane-Adam lived a full year of activities in French, as part of the Vice Versa D-54196 grant.
In pictures Canadian Multiculturalism Day took place on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
In pictures Students from École élémentaire Franco-Niagara took part in the launch of the Appren’TISSAGE project on June 12, 2026, together with the other Viamonde schools in Niagara.
In pictures Students from École secondaire Franco-Niagara took part in the launch of the Appren’TISSAGE project on June 12, 2026, together with the other Viamonde schools in Niagara.
In pictures Students at Collège Français took part in mental health awareness activities under the Vice Versa grant D-53774.
In pictures Students at Micheline-Saint-Cyr made small wooden objects during a workshop held in the school gymnasium, with the Vice Versa grant D-53774.
Agenda
The latest dates and the next gatherings, at a glance. Select a date to open the activity.
Our activities
Our social programs support French-speaking immigrants in Niagara so they can feel at home and thrive: inclusive activities and services that break isolation and strengthen community ties.
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Our economic programs build financial independence: hands-on workshops and training, entrepreneurship, home child care, with special attention to immigrant women and Black communities in Niagara.
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Our educational programs support families through practical workshops: budgeting, healthy eating, family law basics, community life, volunteering and sports.
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Our cultural programs celebrate diversity through events that bring people together: Festiv’Ébène, the Niagara Folk Arts Festival, Canadian Multiculturalism Day, Canada Day and the SAFRAN book fair.
See detailsIn pictures
623 moments shared with Niagara families. The wall changes with every visit.
Our projects
SOFIFRAN is announcing the launch of the project “Building capacity for equitable services for refugees and newcomers”, an initiative that fosters the inclusion, empowerment and leadership of women for the benefit of families and communities.
A mentorship program that supports, trains and equips Francophone women who want to offer a home child care service that meets standards of quality, safety and children’s well-being, so they can build their economic independence and help meet the growing need for French-language child care in Niagara.
Welland, February 15, 2025. SOFIFRAN is pleased to announce that it has received a grant of $362,391 through the Women's Program of Women and Gender Equality Canada.
The “Entrepreneurship for immigrant women in Niagara” project is funded by the Canadian Women's Foundation for a period of four years.
Gallery
Testimonials
« For me, Sofifran is my family! There I found the help that allowed me to move forward socially and economically, and that made settling in a success for my children and for me. Their support never wavers. Thank you, Sofifran! »
« I would like to share my experience with SOFIFRAN. The organization gave me the chance to do two placements that let me match my theoretical skills with the reality of the workplace. Sofifran’s mission is to support the social, economic, educational and cultural advancement and flourishing of newcomers and immigrants in the Niagara region. I benefited greatly from the professionalism and the encouragement of the staff. The warmth and the availability that mark the Sofifran team build solidarity and cohesion within the group. For all of these reasons, I am thankful to Sofifran and I express my gratitude to its wonderful team. »
Our partners
