Searching for Settlement Services

COVID19 - Services are available in person, by phone, email or video conferencing * for settlement services call the Welcome Centre Communication Centre at ­1-877-761-1155


Assists newcomers to Canada

• supports newly arrived immigrants in Canada
• information and referral for immigrants - immigration documentation, economic, social, health, cultural, educational, income supports, housing supports, and recreational services in Durham Region
• assist with government application
• help with information on banking, shopping, everyday tasks
• employment supports, learn job search skills
• non-therapeutic counselling
• services are free, confidential and culturally sensitive

COVID19 - for settlement services call the Welcome Centre Communication Centre at ­1-877-761-1155


Guidance and information about settlement and orientation to immigrants and refugees

Information and referrals regarding:

• immigration, employment, social assistance, transportation, and legal services
• childcare and health care
• language classes
• housing - Landlord-tenant issues
• education - finding and enrolling in schools, other training programs, and credential assessment
• housing search information
• supportive counselling, problem solving

Assistance and guidance on:

• filling out government forms
• commissioner of oaths for original documents
• affidavits, travel consents, and letters of invitation assistance
• applying for various types of ID such as OHIP, Driver's Licence
• setting appointments, such as for doctors, court, government agencies
• understanding documents and referrals to translation services

COVID19 - for settlement services call the Welcome Centre Communication Centre at ­1-877-761-1155


Information and group programs to introduce newcomers and their children to schools in Ontario

COVID19 - Offering in-person by appointment only * staff are still available to support you by phone, email or video where possible * call the Welcome Centre Communication Centre at 1-877-761-1155 to book or re-book an appointment or for any other information



Welcome Centre for refugees, immigrants and newcomers to Durham Region

Settlement and Orientation Services

• assistance with housing, health care
• assistance with Government applications
• Social Insurance Numbers
• community and government resources
• child care, basic needs

Language Instruction and Assessment

• English classes with computer aided instruction
• childminding and transportation allowance for eligible candidates

Accreditation and Qualifications Information

• accreditation information, assistance and information for internationally trained professionals
• accreditation portfolio assistance and action plans

Employment Related Services

• Job Search Workshops, resume assistance
• return to work action plans, job search resources
• free internet and fax services

Language Supports

• translation and interpretation services

Resource Area

• access to computers with Internet, wifi
• fax machine, photocopiers, scanners, telephones and webcams/headphones

Tax Preparation Assistance

• Income tax clinic during tax season

Self Filing Tax Program

• free coaching and support
• connects you to a volunteer for one-on-one support
• volunteers answer questions and review return before filing
• FREE Turbo Tax software - special version that will not ask you to sign up for
  upgrades
• how-to-videos and guides

Other Services

• Other services determined based on needs (such as legal services, mental health services, culturally-appropriate family counselling, youth services, newcomer women Entrepeneur, digital literacy, volunteer program)

COVID19 - Offering in-person by appointment only * staff are still available to support you by phone, email or video where possible * call the Welcome Centre Communication Centre at 1-877-761-1155 to book or re-book an appointment or for any other information


Welcome Centre for immigrants and newcomers to Durham Region * weekly visit from Community Mental Health Worker from Durham Mental Health Services


Settlement and Orientation Services
Assistance with housing, health care * Social Insurance Numbers, community and government resources * child care, basic needs

Language Instruction and Assessment
English classes with computer aided instruction * childminding and transportation allowance for eligible candidates

Accreditation and Qualifications Information
Accreditation information, assistance and information for internationally trained professionals * accreditation portfolio assistance and action plans

Employment Related Services
Job Search Workshops, resume assistance * return to work action plans, job search resources * free internet and fax services

Language Supports
Translation and interpretation services

Resource Area
Access to computers with Internet, wifi, fax machine, photocopiers, scanners, telephones and webcams/headphones

Tax Preparation Assistance
Income tax clinic during tax season

Other Services
Other services determined based on needs (such as legal services, mental health services, culturally-appropriate family counselling)

Offers support to immigrants, refugees and other newcomers through the following services:

Immigration & Settlement Services

• Orientation to life in Canada
• Information & referrals to local and government services
• Support in obtaining Canadian identity documents
• Support with elementary and secondary school registration and orientation
• Support in resolving vulnerable immigration situations and family reunification
• Support with Canadian citizenship applications
• Free certified language assessment and referrals to language program

Employment Services

• Information & referrals to employment supports
• Information on accreditation and credential evaluation

Community Connections

• Visits to Canadian cultural & heritage sites
• Social events for newcomers and the broader community
• Social groups for women and youth

Community Connections Mentorship Program -- supervised group activities for newcomer children, youth and young adults to help orient them to their new community and establish social and professional networks

• assistance from peer and professional mentors, with focus on citizenship and civic engagement or skills and career development

Settlement servicesfor newcomers to assist them to integrate and to provide guidance with day to day needs including education, healthcare, housing, immigration and employment

May provide:

• needs assessments and referrals
• post-arrival settlement information
• assistance to establish social and professional networks to promote community engagement
• assistance in filling out government forms
• citizenship test preparation
• assistance to access a range of settlement services
• individual tax filing assistance (seasonal)
• afterschool supports

Individual and group settlement assistance including

• case management
• information and referrals
• form filling, interpretation and translation assistance

Community and support services

• information and referrals, and settlement services
• supportive counselling
• employment and job search assistance
• legal information, assistance applying for benefits, and year round tax clinic
• youth tutoring and homework club, student mentoring programs
• senior community involvement programs
• interpretation service for Tamil community, including accompaniment to appointments
• health education, community outreach
• social and recreation events and activities

COVID19 -- Services available online and in-person; no appointment required for in-person services


Services to help and support immigrants begin their new lives in Canada

Settlement Information and Referral

• information on topics such as essential government documents and benefits, immigration and citizenship, employment and job search, access to trades and professions, foreign credential assessment, education and training, language classes, health and housing, community, recreation and consumer resources, human rights, legal and social services, child, youth and family resources, food, shelter, and clothing
• settlement information sessions in various locations
• monthly webinars
• guest speaker series
• Newcomer Network
• access to computers, fax, photocopiers, and phone; computer area
• settlement resource library
• English conversation circle

Newcomer Youth Services -- youth-focused settlement information and referral

• Newcomer Youth Leadership Development -- youth learn about their community, gain volunteer hours, build leadership, language, communication and social skills
• workshops and activities for parents and youth

COVID19 -- contact organization for current COVID policies


Settlement services for immigrants and refugees

• individual, family and youth counselling
• information and referral, housing search assistance
• assistance with government forms, translation and intrepretation
• refugee settlement information and assistance
• youth outreach, volunteer opportunities
• employment consulting, assistance with resumes and interview skills, employment mentoring, employment workshops

COVID19

• all services provided by phone, online, or in-person
• LINC classes offered hybrid and in-person

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Provides settlement services to newcomers

Participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto -- see separate entry; transportation and child minding available

Family Literacy Program -- language and age-appropriate family reading resources through a lending library

• activities to encourage and reinforce family language learning

Newcomer orientation and welcoming supports to assist with settlement process, including workshops, mentorship and volunteer opportunities, mental health education and support, homework help and educational supports, and recreation and sports activities and outings

Orientation Communities
Includes information on mental health services, and social skills training for youth and their families

Welcoming Communities
Includes support, skills and training

• youth leadership and mentoring training
• homework help and educational supports to develop employment skills
• information and integration support
• workshops on topics such as communication and social skills, cross-cultural and diversity skills, and public transit navigation

Training available to service providers, youth in schools, and community agencies on various mental health and settlement topics

COVID19 -- services continue by phone and email; no walk-in service


Information and Orientation Services -- settlement services for newcomers who have been in Canada for less than 4 years, including landed immigrants, Convention refugees and foreign-born Canadian citizens

• orientation, information sessions, supportive counselling
• information and referral including housing, access to community resources
• employment assessment and preparation, job fairs, computer with free Internet access
• advocacy, interpretation
• English conversation classes
• participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto -- see separate entry; care for newcomer children -- childminding for parents attending sessions

Newcomer Settlement Program

• volunteer recruitment and training
• outreach, advocacy
• cultural activities

Violence Against Women

• individual and family counselling for assaulted women and children
• support group for abused women, educational workshops
• assists victims of domestic violence who are at risk of abuse
• domestic violence prevention workshops

Men Make a Difference -- culturally appropriate group sessions to learn techniques for developing healthy relationships, resolve conflict, and cope with anger

Seniors Services

• recreational activities
• support groups for isolated Afghan senior women
• assistance accessing community resources

COVID19

• all services are provided in-person, by phone, and online; walk-ins are welcome
• all workshops offered on-line

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Settlement Services

• needs assessment, information and referral, supportive counselling
• information on employment, citizenship and immigration, education and housing, financial literacy
• support to file forms
• group sessions including English and French conversation groups, citizenship preparation sessions, computer training, career networking, parenting
• walk-in services, free access to computers and Internet, free fax to local numbers

Community Service Program for women including group or one-on-one settlement counselling

• activities to build social networks and break isolation
• short term skills training for employment such as cashier, retail customer service, sewing, or food handling
• workshops series such as chronic pain management, how to manage diabetes, nutrition (healthy eating) programs

Services at other locations -- itinerant settlement counselling services, Library Settlement Program at several locations in Scarborough

COVID19 -- all offices are open for appointments; services are offered remotely over the phone, zoom, email

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Settlement Services

• orientation, information, assessment and referral
• supportive counselling for youth, families and women
• employment and educational counselling
• commissioner for taking affidavits
• sessions on housing, education, health care, social assistance, immigration and job search

Participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto -- see separate entry

• morning or afternoon classes available, also part-time evening classes
• computer lab with Internet
• childminding for children 19 months-5 years while parents attend classes

English Conversation Club -- improve by practicing conversational English

Youth Achievers

• after school activities for children 6-12 years including coding, robotics and life skills
• other programs for youth include Homework Club, and Youth Job Connection, see separate entry

Seniors Organized and Supported Program (NHSP)

• increases social participation and inclusion of seniors in their communities
• activities led by seniors' leadership groups brought together from the local community
• activities include physical and mental wellness sessions such as yoga, meditation, Share Your Talents, gardening, painting and community exploration trips

COVID19

• services provided by phone, online or in-person; walk-ins welcome
• all workshops offered online

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Multiservice centre for newcomers

Settlement Service Centre -- assessment, information and referral, supportive counselling, community outreach, education and workshops

• support with finding housing, accessing child care, health care and other community and social services
• seasonal income tax clinic
• participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto -- (see separate entry), child care and transportation assistance available

Enhanced Language Training (ELT) for Internationally Trained Medical Professionals -- 18 week sector specific language training and career orientation for health care professionals

• individual counselling and action plan development, 100 hour volunteer placement
• mentoring, networking, resume and interview preparation
• free training in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Settlement and Education Partnership in Toronto (SEPT) (Settlement Workers in Schools) -- services delivered in elementary and secondary schools in Scarborough during the school year, and in libraries and summer schools from July to August -- free summer programs for children and their families

Participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto (see separate entry), childminding and transportation assistance available, full-time or part-time classes

Settlement Services

• information and referral
• orientation, needs assessment
• translation and interpretation
• supportive counselling
• bridging services
• form filling
• workshops and tours
• employment counselling
• one-on-one and group information sessions

COVID19 -- offices are open, but appointments are recommended


Settlement and Adaptation Services

• information and referral, orientation, housing referrals
• one to one gambling counselling and workshops
• translation and interpretation
• documentation, form filling
• outreach, social development program, educational workshops
• career mentoring

Employment Services

• employment counselling, resume preparation, job search techniques
• assistance obtaining certification of education and/or trade documents

Other services -- citizenship, community advocacy, cultural events, volunteer opportunities

Immigrant Resource Centre -- multiservice centre with newcomer, job seeker and family services for all ages

Settlement and Employment Services

• information and referral
• orientation, needs assessment
• translation and interpretation
• supportive counselling
• bridging services
• form filling
• workshops and tours
• seasonal income tax clinic

Community Connections Mentorship Program

• group activities for newly arrived immigrants and refugees of all ages to help orient them to their new community and establish social and professional networks
• trained and experienced volunteer mentors assist, with focus on citizenship and civic engagement or skills and career development - contact 416-940-3360

Professional Development and Small Business Resource Centre

• walk-in centre
• resource materials for internationally trained professionals
• business information
• referrals

Settlement and Integration Resource Centre

• drop-in centre providing settlement and integration information and resources
• access to computers, Internet

Settlement and Education Partnerships in Toronto (SEPT) (Settlement Workers in Schools)

• outreach program based in elementary and secondary schools from mid-August to end of June, and in libraries and summer school programs from July to mid-August
• homework club
• multi-languages service in North York area, connecting parents and students with the schools, parent interviews with schools, parenting group sessions, settlement information sessions - contact 416-292-7510 ext 301

Employment Resource Centre

• walk-in job search centre
• access to computers, Internet, fax, photocopier, telephone
• staff assistance available
• resource materials
• job boards
• labour market information
• resume clinics
• mock interviews
• workshops

Early Years Services

• EarlyON Child and Family Centre, preschool education program for children and their parents
• social and learning skills for preschool children
• parenting education
• parent-child interactive activities

Children and Youth Programs

• after school program
• summer camp
• Saturday enrichment classes
• leadership and life skills training, homework help
• employment readiness

Seniors and Family Programs

• form filling
• supportive counselling
• client intervention assistance
• social, educational and recreational programs
• support groups
• health information workshops

Volunteer Services

• training and development
• placements
• public education

Community Kitchen including

• food skills training programs
• also facility or hall rentals

COVID19 -- all offices are open for appointments; services are offered remotely over the phone, zoom, email

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Settlement Services

• assessment and referral
• supportive counselling for youth, families and women
• educational counselling
• Commissioner of Oath services
• sessions on topics such as housing, education, health care, social assistance, legal assistance, citizenship, professional licensing and job search

Participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto -- see separate entry

• childminding for preschool children while parents attend classes

Seniors Organized and Supported Program (NHSP)

• increases social participation and inclusion of seniors in their communities
• activities led by seniors' leadership groups brought together from the local community
• activities include physical and mental wellness sessions such as yoga, meditation, Share Your Talents, gardening, painting and community exploration trips

COVID19

• drop-in and group services have resumed
• appointment preferred
• masking is not mandatory but suggested for all visitors
• people who have symptoms of illness are urged to wear masks or access services online

Support Enhance Access Service Centre (SEAS)

Family Services -- individual and family counselling

Neighbourhood Support Services -- community engagement activities and settlement services such as filling applications for social benefits, affordable housing and government documents; supportive counselling

Youth Programs -- volunteering and summer programs

Seniors Services -- social and recreational programs