Pain was the spark, but dignity lit the fire.
Our History
Rosa María Foundation was born in response to a painful truth: many people come to Canada looking for a new beginning, but they face a system that doesn't always see them, doesn't always listen to them, and often leaves them alone.
At Astraea Immigration & Legal Services, we've heard, time and again, stories marked by violence, discrimination, and fear. Migrants, refugees, and those without legal status face not only complex legal processes but also deep emotional and social wounds.
We realized that legal assistance was no longer enough. Forms don't heal trauma. Hearings don't provide support through difficult nights. And immigration processes, on their own, don't guarantee a dignified life.
This is how the Rosa María Foundation was born in 2025. Driven by survivors, legal professionals, allies, and activists, we decided to create a true support network: a safe, close, and committed community where support is horizontal, where active listening transforms, and where each person can recover their voice and dignity.
We deeply believe in collective synergy. In the power of a community that supports, sustains, and empowers each other. Our work goes beyond providing assistance in times of crisis: we want to build the future. We want to create opportunities, open paths, and demonstrate that living in peace, freedom, and security is possible.
Our vision is clear: a future where no one is left behind. Where migration doesn't mean giving up health, autonomy, or dignity. Where every story counts, and every life matters.
Our milestones:
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March 2025
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June 2025
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August 2025
Registration as a community organization.
Official launch during Pride month.
First community support group for migrants who have survived violence.
Among our key dates:
A future where all people, regardless of their immigration status, live with dignity, security, and freedom. Where migration doesn't mean losing rights, but rather opening new paths.
Where communities are strengthened by empathy, justice, and mutual care.
Among our key dates:
Registration as a community organization.
Our Values
1. Human dignity
We believe that every person deserves to live in peace, with rights, respect, and without fear.
3. Community
Construimos redes de apoyo donde nadie esté solo; donde sanar, crecer y resistir sea un acto colectivo.
5. Active listening
We listen to the pain, the stories, and the silence. That’s where our commitment begins.
7. Inclusion
We celebrate diversity in all its forms. All identities, backgrounds, and paths are welcome here.
2. Empowerment
Fomentamos la autonomía individual y colectiva, ayudando a las personas a recuperar el control de sus vidas.
4. Justice
We work for real access to rights and opportunities for those who have historically been invisible.
6. Trust and confidentiality
We protect the integrity and security of every person who comes into our network.