Searching for Refugees

Program designed to help newcomers make informed decisions about their new life in Canada, staff help participants to better understand what services and resources are available.

Provides services for individuals and families, including orientation to the city and the Canadian way of life.

Services include:
* Information and referral
* Assistance with securing housing and developing life skills
* Family support and crisis counselling
* Assistance with applying for financial assistance and completing government forms
* Language assessment

An immigration and settlement program designed for newcomer women, youth, and 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
Services include:

• job preparation
• counselling
• community referrals
• social events and networking programs
• gender based violence supports

Due to COVID-19, this program is being offered online. Trained volunteers and staff will assist with transportation, translation and interpretation services when in-person services resume.

Provides support for newcomers who are pregnant or with a newborn child. Services include:

• social networking
• child care support
• referrals to local services

This program operates in partnership with JOIN Immigration and Settlement Program and is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

A 6 to 8-week program to help newcomers improve their English and prepare for the workplace. Services include:

• Step-by-step training from qualified and professional staff
• Industry-specific terminology to help navigate the workforce
• Certifications and workplace preparation for specific industries

Provides a range of services to support newcomers get settled in Canada.
Settlement counsellors assist newcomer families with the following:

• settlement information
• orientation and referral to community resources
• interpretation services
• assistance with making appointments
• assistance filling out government forms

A youth centre for newcomers that provides one-on-one settlement support.
Services include:
- Information & referrals to appropriate community-based services, programs & resources.
- Facilitated access to group information sessions on a variety of topics like financial literacy, employment services, and getting to know the community
- English conversation circles
- Other group activities for newcomer youth like peer mentorship groups, homework clubs, volunteer club, sport and recreation activities and local trips
- Assistance to help newcomer youth establish new social connections and network with their peers

Visit the Immigration and Citizenship page on Coronavirus to find out how it may affect your immigration situation.

Processes refugee claimants, clients finalized for permanent residence, permanent residence cards, and citizenship tests, interviews and ceremonies. In-person help by appointment only. Once application has been received, IRCC will contact you to schedule an appointment if deemed necessary by the processing office.

An inter-professional approach to ensuring the healthy settlement of newcomer communities in Hamilton. Individuals may also receive help with forms completion and accessing education, housing, or employment. Health promotion group and individual activities are also provided.

Provides a range of services to support newcomers get settled in Canada.
Settlement counsellors assist newcomer families with the following:

• settlement information
• orientation and referral to community resources
• interpretation services
• assistance with making appointments
• assistance filling out government forms

Assists resettlement in the Hamilton area by providing English as a Second Language classes, and Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) classes. Child care is available on-site for individuals who otherwise might face barriers.

A full-time day program designed for Internationally Trained Professionals. The Workplace Preparation Program (ELT) prepares individuals to work in their field through a 12 week language training, related to workplace communication and cultural practices, networking, resume, cover letter and interview preparation.

Provides safe shelter and community for newly arrived refugee claimants as they transition into the broader Hamilton community. Receives refugees from all nations, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or political ideology.

Salvationist Church that offers walk-in worship services Tuesday through Friday. Also offers translation services, spiritual and moral counselling, and assistance with resettlement for Laotian newcomers.

Provides a range of services to support newcomers get settled in Canada.
Settlement counsellors assist newcomer families with the following:

• settlement information
• orientation and referral to community resources
• interpretation services
• assistance with making appointments
• assistance filling out government forms

Settlement services for Afghan newcomers to Hamilton. Helps vulnerable newcomers who face additional adaptation barriers to successfully integrate into the Canadian society by offering specialized programs and services.

Program designed to help newcomers make informed decisions about their new life in Canada, staff help participants to better understand what services and resources are available.

A youth centre for newcomers that provides one-on-one settlement support.
Services include:
- Information & referrals to appropriate community-based services, programs & resources.
- Facilitated access to group information sessions on a variety of topics like financial literacy, employment services, and getting to know the community
- English conversation circles
- Other group activities for newcomer youth like peer mentorship groups, homework clubs, volunteer club, sport and recreation activities and local trips
- Assistance to help newcomer youth establish new social connections and network with their peers

Provides a range of services to support newcomers get settled in Canada.
Settlement counsellors assist newcomer families with the following:

• settlement information
• orientation and referral to community resources
• interpretation services
• assistance with making appointments
• assistance filling out government forms

Program introduces a temporary housing option for eligible newcomers in the community

• Burlington based apartments and townhouses for families and individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
• Provides temporary accommodation while residents search for permanent housing in Halton
• Placement is up to 12 weeks with a possibility of extension
• Rental Agreement is signed every three months with possibility of extension to up to one year

HMC guide for Ukrainians New to Canada and living in Halton, including links to resources For Halton resident wishing to help Ukrainian families

There are three immediate needs that HMC is asking for help from the community:

• safe low or no cost housing for families with children (typically 1 or 2 adults, 1 to 4 children)
• financial donations - this will go to support basic housing items and grocery cards (all financial donations will go 100% to support the families directly)
• employment - many of the Ukrainians have at least working English but there is a need for jobs that can support people who need language support and can help them learn on the job
• How Halton residents can support Ukrainians fleeing war living in Halton

Services altered in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Service delivery is frequently changing as a result of COVID-19, please visit website for the most up-to-date information

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The program offers assistance in accessing a wide range of settlement services including:

• orientation programs, language and skills training to help facilitate employment and programs to welcome newcomers to the community
• needs assessments along with information and referral to community services
• short term adjustment counselling
• assistance with education, health care, housing
• assistance with citizenship applications and citizenship test preparation
• job search and employment counselling as well as assistance to establish social and professional networks to promote community engagement
• interpretation and translation
• cultural competency training available for local agencies to ensure they have the tools and training to work with a variety of cultures

Services altered in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Service delivery is frequently changing as a result of COVID-19, please visit website for the most up-to-date information

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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
* focus on citizenship & civic engagement, or skills & career development

For all ages:
* career mentorship
* settlement mentorship
* cultural presentation
* group mentorship sessions
* computer classes
* English conversation circles

For Seniors:
* English conversation circle
* social circle

For Youth:
* homework help
* art workshop
* in-school youth mentorship
* newcomer youth Leadership

Provides 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

• English Classes - language instruction for newcomers to Canada
• Enhanced Language Training - language training for newcomers preparing to enter the Canadian workplace
• Settlement Assistance - information about settling into Halton
• Community Connections Programs - free programs and events to learn about life in Canada, meet new friends, learn about other programs in your community, improve your English conversation skills in a relaxed atmosphere and more
• free Commissioner of Oaths services available - call for an appointment

Provides 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

• English Classes - language instruction for newcomers to Canada
• Enhanced Language Training - language training for newcomers preparing to enter the Canadian workplace
• Settlement Assistance - information about settling into Halton
• Community Connections Programs - free programs and events to learn about life in Canada, meet new friends, learn about other programs in your community, improve your English conversation skills in a relaxed atmosphere and more
• free Commissioner of Oaths services available - call for an appointment