Abstract
Immigrant women with young children are at a disadvantage when trying to settle into a new life in Canada. The male of the household remains the primary focus for settlement services, and he receives educational and employment opportunities. The mother in the family is often considered less important by services. Of particular concern is the lack of access to quality child care for refugee women who are desperately trying to make a life for themselves in Canada. Newcomer women with young children want to contribute to their new society but cannot, due to lack of child care services. The nonprofit Pacific Immigrant Resources Society (PIRS) in Vancouver is working to solve this challenge.