Searching for Refugees

Various supports to address access issues related to municipal recreation and leisure programs and services and to help residents with disabilities access these programs. Programs and services include:

Leisure Access Card (LAC): entitles card holder to pay reduced rate for many Community Services courses and programs

Personal Assistant for Leisure Activities Card (PAL): issued to person with the disability to allow accompaniment by a friend, relative, support worker at no additional cost

Fee Assistance in Recreation (FAIR) and Free to Grow: discount can be used for a combination of passes, punch passes and classes

Subsidy for Disabilities: for groups or persons with disabilities

Welcome to Guelph: temporary free access to participate in public swimming / skating offered at a number of City facilities. Does not include participation in any registered swimming / skating programs or lessons.

Comprehensive employment and job search services:

• assessment of skills, interests and experience
• job search strategies
• resume preparation
• information on careers and occupations, local labour market, employment and training opportunities paid pre-employment training and job placements
• on-the-job training / work experience
• help to maintain employment
• education and work transition supports
• information and referral to other employment and community services
• mentorship for youth
• help finding summer employment
• self employment supports
• Second Career assessments

Employment Resource Centre: offers access to photocopiers, fax machines, computers, telephones, internet, message service. Specialized services for youth, experienced workers, and persons with disabilities

Services also available for employers:

• free recruitment support
• training incentives for new employees
• government supported skills training
• apprenticeship
• employee leadership development
• downsizing and closure services

Job Search Workshops for Newcomers (JSW): (funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) for immigrants legally entitled to work in Canada:

• five-day job search techniques workshops, covering labour market information, access to trades and professions, resume preparation, networking

Mentorship Program: matches internationally trained professionals (ITPs) and trades people with local volunteer mentors in their field to gain a better understanding of the regional job market, establish valuable networking contacts, and learn more about sector-specific language and professional practice in Canada

Offers Employment Ontario programs. See separate listing for details.

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
• needs and eligibility assessment and referrals
• consumer and community information
• orientation to local community
• assistance to access a range of settlement services

Settlement Services provides assistance with the following:

• finding and completing forms and applications
• advice on banking, shopping, managing a household and other everyday tasks
• interpreters or translators if needed
• non-therapeutic counselling
• initial employment counselling, such as job search skills, resume writing, interview skills and career goal setting and planning
• accessing professional and essential services (such as doctors, lawyers and schools)
• registering for language training
• finding a place to live
• driver training information

COVID-19 Update: HIV testing is not available during the COVID-19 pandemic. Current COVID-19 precautions will remain in place until at least September 2021 for the safety of clients, staff, and the community.

Support Services: counselling for persons living with HIV/AIDS to assess needs and establish a continuum of support service.

Services include:

• settlement counselling and orientation:
• information and referral
• assistance with government benefits application
• assessment of English language skills
• referral to English language instruction

Settlement Services -- 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. Needs and eligibility assessments, post-arrival information and referral to job search and employment counselling, assistance to establish social and professional networks to promote community engagement, and assistance to access a range of settlement and community services.

Settlement Workers in Schools Program (SWIS) -- provides settlement support to newcomer families in schools during the school year (Sep-Jun). Settlement workers connect with newcomer students and families. One-on-one and group settings. Provide settlement-related information for successful integration * services are available to all UGDSB and WCDSB schools.

Coordinated Language Assessment and Referral Services (CLARS) -- Eligibility screening, language skills assessment and referral to government-funded English language programs including Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC), LINC Home Study, English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, Enhanced Language Training (ELT), Occupation-Specific Language Training (OSLT), and Specialized Language Training (SLT).

Translation and Interpretation Program Services (TIPS) -- services for individuals and organizations

Employment Counselling Services -- assistance with resumés and job search, employment training including Canadian workplace culture, computer skills, and worker health and safety information.

Programs and Groups:

• income tax clinics, income tax information sessions
• Orientation to Ontario Workshop
• English conversation circles
• one-on-one conversation practice
• Women's Group
• Seniors' groups

Information Sessions -- available monthly on a variety of topics, visit calendar for details.

Commissioner of Oaths

Services designed to help immigrants settle in Canada

Provides information and assistance in the following areas:

• Completing forms and documents
• Personal and family settlement process
• Immigration and legal issues
• Employment and education
• Interpretation and translation
• Canadian life and culture
• Information, advisement and support
• Access to programs and services

Provide settlement and employment services to assist immigrant and refugees

• Cultural Diversity Program
• Language Interpretation
• English Language Assessment and Referral Services
• Settlement Services
• Employment Resource Centre
• Language Interpretation
• English Language Assessment and Referral Centre

Coordinated Language Assessment and Referral Centre

• Eligibility screening, language skills assessment and referral to government-funded English language programs including Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC), LINC Home Study, English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, Enhanced Language Training (ELT), Occupation-Specific Language Training (OSLT), and Specialized Language Training (SLT)

The Mentorship Program brings internationally-trained professionals together with established professionals for a series of in-person and online meetings to discuss their profession and create an individualized career plan. Mentorship is a one-on-one match between newcomer participants (mentee) and program volunteers (mentors). These strategic mentoring matches allow newcomer mentees to learn about Canadian workplace culture, make critical networking connections, and learn how to increase their marketability by leveraging their skills and previous international experience. By the end of the mentoring journey, newcomer mentees have developed a more relevant and strategic career plan to continue their career in Canada with confidence.

Provides Settlement Services to newcomers in Wellington County. Assistance is offered to eligible newcomers in completing documentation, navigating their new communities and completing referrals to appropriate community partners.

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
• needs and eligibility assessment and referrals
• consumer and community information
• orientation to local community
• assistance to access a range of settlement services

Settlement Services provides assistance with the following:

• finding and completing forms and applications
• advice on banking, shopping, managing a household and other everyday tasks
• interpreters or translators if needed
• non-therapeutic counselling
• initial employment counselling, such as job search skills, resume writing, interview skills and career goal setting and planning
• accessing professional and essential services (such as doctors, lawyers and schools)
• registering for language training
• finding a place to live
• driver training information

Weekly worship (in-person and online)

• adult choir
• children's worship (Sunday mornings)
• spiritual care from a Christian perspective
• learning opportunities
• youth groups
• Summer Kids' Camp (day camp)
• Project Welcome refugee sponsorship
• funerals and memorial services
• bereavement support
• weddings

Provides information about school system for newcomer students whose first language is not English ~ language and math skills assessment

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is a global, non-profit organization that strives to share compassion for all by responding to basic human needs and working for peace and justice. In the Waterloo region, MCC walks toward reconciliation with Indigenous Neighbours, alongside newcomers building a new life in Canada through refugee sponsorship, and support those impacted by crime or facing the realities of poverty and homelessness.

The Mentorship Program brings internationally-trained professionals together with established professionals for a series of in-person and online meetings to discuss their profession and create an individualized career plan. Mentorship is a one-on-one match between newcomer participants (mentee) and program volunteers (mentors). These strategic mentoring matches allow newcomer mentees to learn about Canadian workplace culture, make critical networking connections, and learn how to increase their marketability by leveraging their skills and previous international experience. By the end of the mentoring journey, newcomer mentees have developed a more relevant and strategic career plan to continue their career in Canada with confidence.

Provides information and assistance in the following areas:

• Completing forms and documents
• Personal and family settlement process
• Immigration and legal issues
• Employment and education
• Interpretation and translation
• Canadian life and culture
• Information, advisement and support
• Access to programs and services

Services designed to help immigrants settle in Canada

WMB Church comes alongside refugees in the community by providing housing and practical, financial and relational support through our partnership with Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support (MCRS) and a network of hosts and other volunteers.

The Immigration Partnership helps facilitate successful settlement, integration and community involvement of immigrants and refugees in Waterloo Region.

Provides health services to vulnerable newcomers to the Kitchener-Waterloo region

Core programs:

• Counseling services on a sliding scale
• Leadership programs for women
• Youth mental health programs
• Programs for refugees and newcomers such as English Conversation circles and Yoga classes twice a month
• Programs for kids such as Healing through Art and Healing through Music
  

Levant Canada is a non-profit organization that supports refugees fleeing crises and promotes newcomers' empowered integration into Canadian life. Levant privately sponsors refugees seeking safety in Canada. Through artistic, cultural, and athletic programming, facilitate newcomers' integration into Canadian life and encourage exchange between newcomers and established Canadians. Programs and events foster intercultural dialogue, create a sense of belonging in the community, and support newcomers' pride in their home cultures. Visit website or contact us to learn more about our programs and activities, including:

• Levant Soccer Club
• Steps Dance Club
• Community Dabke Group
• Refugee Sponsorship
• Levant's Annual Cultural Event
• And more

Welcome and support people in the community seeking refuge in Canada by:

• providing assistance with the refugee claim process
• accessing a network of settlement supports
• advocating for a fair and just environment for refugees in Canada

**This organization DOES NOT offer immigration or sponsorship support.

The primary focus of the school-based settlement service is to assist parents and their children with settlement needs through a systematic outreach to all new arrivals, needs assessment and action planning, orientation and information on school and community, referrals and assistance to access other community services.

• Clubs and after-school activities
• Connect to school staff
• Homework and academic supports
• Information and Mothers' groups
• Referrals to important community resources
• Rights and responsibilities
• School registration
• Youth-related issues