Searching for Refugees

Program aiming to help integrate, employ, settle and retain immigrants in the community through:

• workshops
• conversation groups
• information sessions
• events

Services include:

• employment-related services
• needs asset assessment and referrals
• information and orientation (one-on-one and group)
• transportation and translation
• referrals

Settlement Program (formerly Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program)

Orientation and Adaptation Services

• needs assessment and Information and referral to community and social services
• support with finding housing, child care, registering children in school and health care
• help filling out government forms including housing and immigration sponsorship forms
• community support through volunteer befriending, conversation circles to practice English or French
• help with connecting to language classes
• workshops to reduce stress of adjusting to Canadian culture

Translation and Interpretation Services

• volunteer interpreters when requested by social services/Cornwall Police/Cornwall Hospital

Citizenship Preparation

• courses, tests and activities to help newcomers prepare for the citizenship test

Language Training Services

• English as a Second Language/French as a Second Language
• English or French for Life and Work in Canada
• conversation and pronunciation classes

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada

• provides basic language skills in English [or French]
• childminding offered
• part-time classes

Employment Counselling and Preparation

Job search centre

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

Other Settlement Services

Settlement Workers in Schools

• assists newcomer students and their families with settling into schools and the community
• outreach program based in elementary and secondary schools from mid-August to end of June

Library Settlement Partnership

• workshops, one-to-one counselling, settlement referrals
• English Conversation Club

Community Connections Mentorship Program (formerly HOST 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

Group Information Sessions and Immigrant Women's Network

• Assists newcomers in understanding Canadian society, transportation, adaptation processes and more, in an informal group environment

Outreach

• Will come to other organizations to provide services and information (cultural groups, English as a Second Language ESL classes and more)

Satellite location in Brockville

Comprehensive employment and job search services

• assessment of skills, interests and experience
• job search strategies, including resume preparation
• information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment and training opportunities
• on-the-job training, work experience
• help in maintaining employment
• information and referral to other employment and community services
• services for immigrants and newcomers, including settlement support, referrals, and assistance in job search

Non-profit organization which supports immigrant and refugees from Nepal

• includes Nepalese speaking Bhutanese refugee during their integration into Canadian life
• provides special support to those who are dealing with extreme anxiety, stress and PTSD
• provides counseling, settlement and information to help them get settled
• works as a bridge between clients and service providers
• currently we are serving 58 seniors directly and about 300 people indirectly

Main focus

• intergenerational activities once a week
• seniors support and provide socialization activities
• crisis support/student support

COVID-19 (7 September 2021) Open by appointment * Food Bank operates by leaving name and phone number when calling the Food Bank Coordinator at 613-830-4347 ext 158. * For access to the other modified services, programs and contacts call 613-830-4347 or visit the website for details. Christmas program is offered for 2021 (see separate record).

Community resource centre

• information and referral
• advocacy
• crisis intervention
• individual and family counselling
• child & youth programs
• support groups
• parenting skills
• community development
• school supplies program (see separate record for details)
• type 2 diabetes program
• speech therapy for young children
• volunteer coordination
• food bank
• action housing
• Counselling Family Services Ottawa
• Employment Ontario
• First Words
• LESA
• Doyle Salewski (financial advise)
• Military Families Services
• Contact North - Online courses
• Société franco-ontarienne de l'autisme

EarlyON Centre:

• information and referrals
• early learning services and training
• playgroups

Medical health team Équipe de santé familiale communautaire de l'Est d'Ottawa

• Sexual Health Clinic

Community services, including:

Intake for the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP):

• qualifications for reduction on electricity costs

Immigration services:

• establishment services
• counseling and assistance in immigration procedures
• application for various visas, for permanent residency, work permit, citizenship, sponsorship, etc.

Commissioners for Oaths available to validate

• oaths
• affirmations
• affidavits

Legal services:

• information and advice on immigrant and refugee rights
• guidance on judicial procedures
• defense of rights on various issues

Medical services:

• in-home doctor visits
• nursing and medical services at home

Social services:

• daycare services
• job search assistance
• job placement and internship
• support for creating and starting a business
• support for training and studies
• counselling services
• rehabilitation and monitoring of probation for minors
• radicalization prevention
• housing support services
• social activities
• interpretation and document translation
• language instruction
• placement assistance for volunteering in Africa and Canada
• financial and administrative assistance for funerary services
• maintenance of a directory for professionals and business men in Canada

Services to seniors:

• home visits
• transportation and accompaniment
• physical activity
• meditation and relaxation sessions
• foot care
• social outings

Services for individuals with a disability:

• social housing management
• budget management
• employment support
• family support

Funerals

• financial and administrative support

COVID-19 (20 May 2022) Suspended all one-on-one services and group info sessions until further notice *call the Hotline at 613-286-7357 from 8:30 till 4:30 pm for questions and your phone request will be directed to the appropriate counsellor

Settlement and social services agency

• developing and improving integration tools and resources to support clients in receiving services that meet their needs
• facilitates the access of available services

Settlement Program (formerly Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program):

• orientation programs, language and skills training to help facilitate employment
• programs to welcome newcomers to the community
• may provide needs and eligibility assessments, pre- and post-arrival information and referral, job search and employment counselling, assistance to establish social and professional networks to promote community engagement, and assistance to access a range of settlement services
• also offers crisis counselling

Multiethnic centre offering services for refugees, immigrants and residents

Settlement services include:

• Needs assessment and information and referral to community and social services
• Support finding housing, child care, health care, registering children in school
• Help filling out government forms including housing
• Community support: volunteer befriending, conversation circles (English only)
• Connecting to language classes
• Stress reduction workshops for adjusting to Canadian culture
• Citizenship Test preparation classes
• Job search/resume building support
• Various workshops and information sessions for newcomers
• Employment counselling, skills and career development
• Settlement workers in schools - outreach program in elementary and secondary schools
• Free income tax clinic for newcomers

Additional services include:

• Youth programs
• Senior services
• Community capacity building
• Counselling

Family resource centre

• playgroups
• drop in respite care
• playground
• information on child development
• family/parenting workshops

Parents helpline:

• professional support for parents, children, and adolescents
• settlement program and legal resources for youth and families
• summer day camps

Support and companionship for youth and adults recently released from prison :

• support in community reintegration and to the entire family
• mentoring for youth

Family support program:

• evaluation and creation of a family action plan
• connects families to services and resources available
• individual support and informal counselling
• information for parents, parenting classes, and immediate consultations
• video, book, and document library focusing on parenting

Family resource centre

• playgroups
• drop in daycare
• playground
• information on child development
• family/parenting workshops

Parents helpline:

• professional support for parents, children, and adolescents
• settlement program and legal resources for youth and families
• summer day camps
• income tax clinics

Support and companionship for youth and adults recently released from prison :

• support in community reintegration and to the entire family
• mentoring for youth

Family support program:

• evaluation and creation of a family action plan
• connects families to services and resources available
• individual support and informal counselling
• information for parents, parenting classes, and immediate consultations
• video, book, and document library focusing on parenting

Multidisciplinary clinic specializing in physical therapy and psychology

• phone consultation offered to healthcare providers who want to refer clients
• free consultation to clients to determine eligibility

Information and training on Canadian entrepreneurship

• helps those interested in starting their own business to initiate their reflections in order to augment their possibility for a success social and economic integration

Website also available in arabic: http://info.collegelacite.ca/raed

Organization working towards economic and socio-cultural integration of the racial and ethnocultural francophone minorities of the Ottawa region

• provides services primarily in French to Francophone immigrants and newcomers to the region

Visit website or see separate listings for more details on programs and services

• La Boussole francophone: settlement services and employment services
• Collectivités accueillantes: community connections host program
• Vieillir en Santé: health education program for seniors
• Emploi-CESOC: help with employment research
• Vers la voie du Renouveau: services for francophone youth (12-18 years old) who are in trouble with the law
• income tax preparation assistance for low income individuals; prior and current year returns
• conversation groups in English and French
• technical and cultural support for economic integration of refugees and vulnerable newcomers: job search support, employment services, integrated support, financial literacy, entrepreneurship training, social enterprise training (pilot program until March 2019)

Employment services and settlement services

• working for the economic, social and cultural integration of Francophone racial, ethnic and cultural minorities living in and around Ottawa

Employment Program:

• individual and group training to improve competencies for finding a job or starting a business
• technical and cultural support to set goals and assist in achieving them
• tailoring resumes for job search
• help drafting letters of recommendation
• complements settlement program

Settlement Program: (formerly Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program)

• services to enable immigrants and refugees to integrate into Canadian society including orientation programs, language and skills training to help facilitate employment, and programs to welcome newcomers to the community
• individual agencies may provide needs and eligibility assessments, pre- and post-arrival information and referral, job search and employment counselling, assistance to establish social and professional networks to promote community engagement, and assistance to access a range of settlement services

Settlement service for Francophone immigrants and newcomers to Ottawa

• workers help the new arrivals and Francophone immigrants with the initial stages of settlement

Services:

Settlement Program/Welcoming Communities Program:

• needs assessments, orientation programs, language and skills training, and programs to welcome newcomers to the community

Interpretation and Translation services:

• helps clients in interpreting and understanding information, requests, documents they receive, etc
• clients may obtain services in their native languages

Couselling services:

• offers counselling to those facing challenges with their settlement

Employment preparation service:

• explains Canadian workplace realities, and helps with proactive job search and receiving professional and academic equivalences

Favors the domestic, social and economic integration and health of French Newcomers in Canadian society

• Health information
• home care
• help to find housing
• public services
• mediation accompaniment
• parent support for their child's education
• employment support
• economic integration
• health information
• home health care
• youth meetings
• socio-cultural meetings
• volunteering

Programs:

Carrière agronomique : helps newcomers who have experience in agronomy or agrology to continue in the same line of work

Regionalization : encourages newcomers to establish themselves in rural areas and helps them take all the necessary steps

Settlement Program (formerly Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program)

Orientation and Adaptation Services

• needs assessment and Information and referral to community and social services
• support with finding housing, child care, registering children in school and health care
• help filling out government forms including housing and immigration sponsorship forms
• community support through volunteer befriending, conversation circles to practice English or French
• help with connecting to language classes

Citizenship Preparation

• courses, tests and activities to help newcomers prepare for the citizenship test
• offered in French only
• citizenship preparation courses on-site

Employment Counselling and Preparation

• bridging services connecting skilled or internationally trained professional newcomers to employment with job placements, mentorship, volunteering and networking connections in their preferred fields

Job search centre

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

Job search preparation and training

• develop strong job search strategies and workplace communication skills

Employment counselling

• resume help
• job readiness clinic
• employment counselling
• skills and career development and help in establishing social and professional networks

Franco-immigrant integration portal (PIFI)

• French-speaking newcomers only Facebook group intended to be a place for friendly discussion on various settlement and integration issues.

COVID19 (6 Jul 2020): Conversation circles and other in-person programs are not currently available due to reductions and closures related to the pandemic.


Settlement services

Orientation and Adaptation Services :

• information and referral to community and social services
• community support through conversation circles to practice English or French
• help with connecting to language classes

Citizenship Preparation :

• courses, tests and activities to help newcomers prepare for the citizenship test

Information and referral services for immigrants, refugees and newcomers to Canada

Resource Centre

• access to computers, community information, events and announcements
• multilingual staff on site
• workshops and information sessions, community partners and leaders, professional associations and employers

Settlement Program (formerly Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program): provides services to enable immigrants and refugees to integrate into Canadian society

• orientation programs
• language and skills training to help facilitate employmen
• programs to welcome newcomers to the community
• may provide needs and eligibility assessments
• pre- and post-arrival information and referral
• job search and employment counselling
• assistance to establish social and professional networks to promote community engagement
• assistance to access a range of settlement services

Temporary housing

• settlement services : permanent housing, credential/education evaluation assessment
• language learning
• integration services
• volunteer opportunities

COVID-19 (22 Aug 2022): Services offered remotely by phone and email and in person by appointment only.

Employment services that are designed specifically for newcomers, immigrants and refugees

• Information and orientation sessions, language and skills training to help facilitate access to employment.
• Employment needs assessments and referrals.
• Pre- and post-arrival information and referrals.
• Job search workshops and training, resume and interview coaching, employment counselling, assistance to establish social and professional networks to access employment opportunities.
• Enhanced language training courses and workplace language courses for eligible clients.
• Targeted recruitment and coaching and networking events with employers.
• Sector specific support for internationally trained professionals (ITPs).
• Specific programming for clients with lower language skills in English (CLB 3-5) and to clients with intermediate and advanced language skills in English (CLB 5 and above)
• Pre-screening and preparation of candidates for the Federal Internship for Newcomers (FIN) Program
• Job search workshops and some employment services in French

COVID-19 (26 Mar 2020): Due to COVID19, the centre is physically closed and regular programming is on hold until further notice * staff is still available via email and phone to support clients * free online computer classes available for women: permanent residents, convention refugees, caregivers * to register, contact iskrena@immigrantwomenservices.com or call 613-729-3145

Crisis Intervention and Counselling Service:

• crisis intervention
• short-and long-term counselling
• information, referral and support services
• support to victims of war and trauma
• support and information on various options for pregnant women

Orientation and Adaptation Services:

• needs assessment and information and referral to community and social services
• support with finding housing, child care, registering children in school and health care
• support with finding housing, child care, registering children in school and health care community support through volunteer befriending, conversation circles to practice English or French
• help with connecting to language classes
• workshops to reduce stress of adjusting to Canadian culture

Translation and interpretation services:

• professionally trained interpreters with expertise in health, community and social services: in person, by phone and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)

Supportive counselling:

• short-term counselling to clients who encounter difficulties in adjusting to life in Canada and assistance in overcoming these challenges

Citizenship Preparation:

• courses, tests and activities to help newcomers prepare for the citizenship test: in class or online.

Employment Counselling and Preparation:

Job search preparation and training:

• developing strong job search strategies and workplace communication skills

Employment counselling:

• resume help, job readiness clinic, employment counselling, skills and career development and help in establishing social and professional networks

Job search workshop held monthly:

• free childcare
• referrals
• computer training

Support services for women who are victims or survivors of violence and/or newcomers and their families:

Support Groups:

• 10-week support group for women survivors of violence
• transportation
• child care
• language interpretation

Children Who Witness Violence Program (in partnership with Family Services à la famille Ottawa) offering:

• support and information to children who witness violence in the home
• individual counselling for childre
• family counselling
• art club for children and mother

Transitional and Housing Support Program for Abused Women

Other Settlement Services:

Language Interpreter Training:

• for culturally diverse women and men who fulfill the requirements for training
• for more information on this program, call the Language Interpretation service

Public education

Training and Outreach:

• Information sessions on Ottawa's diverse community

Anti-oppression training for service providers

Public education sessions on domestic violence for newcomers

Workshops for newcomer immigrant women on parenting in a new culture, legal information, social assistance etc.

Works with service providers and community partners to reach isolated newcomer immigrants and refugee women

COVID-19 (Jan 2021): Due to COVID19, all in-person services have been discontinued and office is closed to clients until further notice. Services can be accessed remotely by calling 613-232-9634. Volunteer program activities are suspended. See website for latest updates.

Community-based services for immigrants, refugees, and newcomers

Settlement Program (formerly Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program):

• orientation programs, language and skills training to help facilitate employment, and programs to welcome newcomers to the community
• may provide needs and eligibility assessments, pre- and post-arrival information and referral, job search and employment counselling, assistance to establish social and professional networks to promote community engagement, and assistance to access a range of settlement services

Reception House, Maison Sophia House:

• 90-bed facility that provides temporary accommodation, food and clothing
• orientation workshops facilitated with language translation and interpretation
• house search support
• multicultural children's program
• basic English classes
• referrals to government services and community organizations

Community Connections Program (formerly HOST 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

Pastoral and Sponsorship Programs:

• works to ensure that the newcomer can find pastoral services in the faith group of their choice * promotes the involvement of faith groups in the Private Sponsorship program

Bruyère Centre for Immigrants:

• one-stop access to the services of several agencies, groups and organizations that operate out of the Centre.

Cultural Profiles:

• a series of booklets, each one introduces a particular country and its people, including details on family life, religion and history
• profiles developed in consultation with the respective community groups

Community-based social service organization

• settlement programs and services to Rwandan refugees and immigrants of neighboring countries during the difficult, complex and stressful process of acculturation
• Christmas basket
• mattresses donation
• PTSD program
• end violence for women

University hub that delivers core programming in the area of refugee law and policy

• refugee law education
• research
• advocacy

University of Ottawa Refugee Assistance Project (UORAP):

• offers resources for community workers who are assisting refugee claimants, and for refugee lawyers

Refugee Law Research Team (RLRT): Team of law students involved in the refugee field that provides:

• legal research
• analysis
• strategic support
• high-level domestic and international refugee advocacy initiatives