Searching for Refugees

Settlement 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

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
• 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

Employment Counselling and Preparation

• Bridging Services-- connects 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

• 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

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

COVID-19 (November 10, 2021): Provincial and legal aid offices closed to the public. Services still offered by phone. Visit the website for latest service updates.

Provides eligible clients with a certificate that covers the cost of hiring a lawyer to deal with serious types of civil or criminal cases

• helps with separation and child custody, but not divorce
• lawyers may or may not accept Legal Aid certificates

Services

• criminal legal issues
• domestic violence
• family legal issues
• mental health issues
• refugee and immigration legal issues
• legal clinics

COVID-19 (14 December 2021): This agency has developed a protocol for safe intakes of new residents. This program is offered.

Short-term accommodation for up to eight refugee claimants

• goal is to provide a large range of services to refugee claimants who seek assistance
• a home, food, and settlement support to newly arrived refugees in Ottawa

Temporary (8-10 weeks) paid work term and on-the-job training at Matthew House's furniture bank and refugee services programs

• wraparound support (in partnership with Causeway Work Centre)
• support in search for longer-term employment

COVID-19 (August 15, 2022): The three food banks supported by PQCHC continue to run on modified schedule and program. Services are accessed by appointment only and available to those people living in the catchments assigned to each location: Pinecrest Terrace Community House 613-596-6703, Morrison Gardens Community 613-596-6229 and Foster Farms Community House 613-596-4866. The Health Clinic operates on appointments only. For more details and up-to-date information, see website.

Health centre focused on family and community health

Primary Health Care:

• medical clinic staffed by family physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses / community clinics
• nutrition: individual and group support provided by registered dietitians
• clean needle exchange / safe inhalation
• diabetes education
• falls prevention program
• primary care outreach for seniors
• dental screening
• nursing foot care
• lung health program

Community Health:

• community development: advocacy, education and supports to community residents to increase involvement in the community
• multicultural outreach: assistance to newcomers to facilitate integration into existing services
• health promotion: focusing on enabling people to increase control of their health and address determinants of health
• community house coordination: develop and facilitate programs and outreach to five low-income housing communities, support to planning and community initiatives
• safety and trust: support to community leaders and training to support the development of healthy communities and address issues of concern
• youth programming: homework clubs, United Sisters program for girls 10-14, training, workshops and events for youth, Somali Youth leadership and skills development
• pathways to education: support to high school students from low-income communities to help complete high school and move on to post-secondary education: tutoring, mentoring, financial and advocacy support

PQ Employment Services:

• PQ Employment Services: bring the right people together with the resources they need to find success
• Canada Ontario Job Grant program: provides financial support to individual employers who want to purchase training for their employees

Employment Programs:

• Youth LEAD Employment Program: assists permanent resident and refugee youth between the ages of 15-29 to develop skills and experience working in Canada
• Job Track: 15 week program that provides pre-apprenticeship training in the Child Development Practitioner trade through paid placements in child care settings
• Future Builders: 15 week program that provides pre-apprenticeship training and work experience to youth with barriers to employment (aged 16-29 years) in residential construction trades (i.e. general carpentry)

Children and Family Services:

• Headstart Nursery School: subsidized preschool program
• Early ON Child and Family Centre: universal access, information and referrals, bilingual designation
• Leaping Lizards: after-school programming
• Toy Lending Libraries: educational and recreational toys
• Circle of Support: parenting support for vulnerable families - home visiting
• Pre-Post Natal Programs: focus on infant care, parent education, nutrition program for high risk pregnant women
• School's Cool: school readiness program

Specialized Preschool Programs:

• First Words: screening clinics and treatment for children with speech language developmental delays
• Infant Hearing: screening of all newborns born deaf or at risk of deafness
• Blind/Low Vision: intervention and consultation services for families with infants diagnosed as blind or low-vision

Mental Health:

• Assertive Community Treatment Team: support and treatment to those with severe persistent illness
• Families First: housing assistance
• System Navigation: increase client self-efficacy and autonomy

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

Temporary housing

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

Settlement Program (formerly Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program):

• Services to enable immigrants and refugees to integrate into Canadian society
• orientation and information programs
• language and skills training
• programs to welcome newcomers to the community
• assistance with applications and documentation
• advocacy
• help with housing
• referrals to health services
• 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

Russian resource drop-in centre:

• cultural programs
• religious celebrations
• ESL conversation group
• Warm Home Program for seniors newcomers

Commissioner of Oath services:

• taking affidavits and administering other legal oaths, affirmations or declarations, verifying signatures, marks and copies of documents

Culturally sensitive clinical and crisis counselling services to all immigrants (individual and family) for all life challenges and transitions.

Organization accepting registrations for the local school supplies program Sharing in Student Success

• backpacks stuffed with grade appropriate supplies needed for the upcoming school year

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

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

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

Community services centre for immigrants and refugees

• assists newcomers, refugees and ethno-cultural groups to become equal participants in social, economic and political life
• creating community and safe spaces
• visiting programs include Legal Aid, Housing Help
• free citizenship test classes for eight weeks, three hours per week
• requirements Canadian Language Benchmark 4

Community Economic Development:

• delivers career mentoring and networking programs to support newcomers to:
• obtain employment in their field
• develop an understanding of the workplace culture
• build networks
• develop strategies for employment maintenance and advancement

Programming includes

• Core Career Mentorship
• Federal Internship for Newcomers (FIN)
• Refugee and Immigrant Supports to Employment (RAISE)
• Pre-Arrival Supports
• Ottawa Mentoring Collaborative
• Job Search Workshops

Multicultural Liaison Officer Program: Multicultural Liaison Officer (MLO) partnering with the English Public and English Catholic school boards of Ottawa to provide:

• settlement services to newcomer families in schools and summer programs
• leadership development
• civic engagement opportunities
• helps create a welcoming school environment for newcomer students
• helps youth gain the necessary skills to achieve their goals and develop a positive mindset to overcome the challenges they may be facing so that they can contribute to Canadian society
• offered both at the elementary and high schools levels for immigrant and refugee youth, ages 13-24

Settlement and Integration Program:

• multilingual and multicultural services to facilitate successful adaptation and integration processes
• information and orientation sessions for individuals, families and groups
• supportive counselling
• settlement consultation
• client advocacy
• community referrals

Counselling Program:

• see separate record for more information

YOCISO:

• offers academic, life skills, counselling, and arts-based support in a fun and interactive way

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC):

• full-time and part-time English language training for newcomers for settlement and community
• open to all landed immigrants and convention refugees over the age of 17
• classes are offered in the South region of Ottawa
• daytime and evening classes available
• child care is also available

Refugee Sponsorship: private sponsorship of refugees by any group of five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents 18 years of age and older who live in the expected community of settlement

• group must collectively commit to provide the necessary support for their sponsored refugee for the full duration of the sponsorship
• refugee must qualify as refugee according to Canada's refugee and humanitarian resettlement program.

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

Newcomer settlement services

• counselling on social, immigration and legal matters
• translation of documents
• help with filling out forms for housing
• employment
• liaison with community service providers and government agencies

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

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

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

COVID-19 (October 7 2021): Services available by appointment only. Staff still available by phone. Many services now offered online and organisation offering volunteer outreach to isolated seniors to get food and medication to their homes. Call 613-235-4875 ext 181 to access emergency volunteer senior services (available in mandarin).

Settlement and community services agency

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
• orientation within the city
• help filling out government forms including housing and immigration sponsorship forms
• community support for Chinese newcomers through volunteer befriending, conversation circles to practice English
• workshops to reduce stress of adjusting to Canadian culture

Citizenship Preparation

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

Language Training Services

• enhanced language training
• sector specific language training and career orientation in the fields of accounting and IT
• individual counselling and action plan development
• volunteer placement
• mentoring
• networking
• resume and interview preparation

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 (LINC)

• provides basic language skills in English or French
• courses offered part-time

Employment Counselling and Preparation

• job search preparation and training
• developing strong job search strategies and workplace communication skills
• job search workshops
• on site job search and preparation training courses

Employment Counselling

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

Other Settlement Services

Library Settlement Partnership

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

Commissioner of Oaths

• commissioner of Oaths for verifying documents (only at 400 Cooper St)

Other Services
Counselling services workshops and support groups for:

• financial difficulties
• family conflicts
• mental health issues: depression, anxiety, stress, family relationships, caregiver stress, grief and loss, parenting, effective communication, workplace stress
• problems with the law
• racial discrimination
• family law
• legal problems
• sponsorship matters
• Convention Refugee support

COVID-19 (November 10, 2021): Provincial and legal aid offices closed to the public. Services still offered by phone. Visit the website for latest service updates.

Provides eligible clients with a certificate that covers the cost of hiring a lawyer to deal with serious types of civil or criminal cases

• helps with separation and child custody, but not divorce
• lawyers may or may not accept Legal Aid certificates

Services

• criminal legal issues
• domestic violence
• family legal issues
• mental health issues
• refugee and immigration legal issues
• legal clinics