Searching for Refugees

Offering free services to job seekers and employers over the phone and through email, text and other digital platforms - Modified hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm

Offers services and solutions-based counselling for newcomers seeking settlement and employment support, including:

Orientation and Adaptation Services

• Offers needs assessment and information and referral to community and social services
• Provides help filling out government forms including housing and immigration sponsorship forms

Supportive counselling

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

Job search preparation and training

• Provides assistance in developing strong job search strategies and workplace communication skills

Employment counselling

• Offers resume help, employment counselling, skills and career development and help in establishing social and professional networks

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

Accreditation Qualifications and Information Services -- information and help for international professionals to develop plans to obtain professional recognition * one-on-one confidential interviews, group information sessions, individualized action plan,
cross-cultural information, referral to interpretation services or document translation

Strategic Consulting Services -- identify service gaps within the community and develop program responses to fill needs

Newcomer Services -- settlement services provided through various Welcome Centre Immigrant Services offices (see separate entries)

Child care and Ontario EarlyON program (see separate entries)

Publishes online Camps Guide of accredited day and residential camps for children and youth, including camps for children with special needs and camps with subsidies

• online job board
• training events and conferences for camping professionals

To find camps or outdoor centres visit website for list of accredited programs, or to search online directory

Office open however safety measures remain

• information about emergency shelter social legal and health services
• information and referral on refugee claim process and settlement services
• work permits

Limited in-person appointments are available in Keele and Finch offices. Also, services continue to be offered via phone, email and online


Settlement Services

• orientation to life in Ontario; information on immigration issues
• accessing government resources including social assistance, income security, child tax benefits
• assistance with search for housing and social housing
• emotional support

Helping Our Newcomers Prepare for Employment/Entrepreneurial Success (HOPES) Program: resettlement stress support, education, skills and experience support

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

Language Instruction Giving Hope to Trauma Survivors (LIGHTS) Program: alternative language program that provides functional English as a second or additional language (ESL/EAL) instruction to vulnerable newcomers who experience emotional, cognitive, or academic barriers to learning in traditional English classes

Community Settlement Services

• one-on-one and group settlement services available to new permanent residents, convention refugees and refugee claimants
• information and referral
• orientation
• formerly Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program

English Language Support -- group conversation circles for newcomers

Community Building -- working with residents on local issues to improve social networks and economic security

Skills and Leadership

• training in leadership, group facilitation skills, peer leadership, and practicums in these areas, for adults
• Newcomer Youth Leadership Training
• employment readiness -- orientation to Canadian workplace culture, employment counselling and assessment, small business development support
• financial literacy workshops

COVID19 -- full-time in-person services have resumed, Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm; call 416-533-8545 or email info@spanishservices.org; appointments only - no walk-ins


Settlement Program

• information, counselling and referral
• assistance with completing government and social services application forms
• ESL classes
• commissioner of oaths
• interpretation and translation services
• monthly settlement workshops

Violence Against Women (VAW) Program

• individual crisis counselling and group counselling by telephone or in person
• support groups for isolated women and their children
• information and orientation about legal rights
• assistance leaving the abusive home, finding transitional housing and applying for social assistance

Volunteer Program

Volunteer opportunities with ESL classes, food security assistance and interpretation and translation assistance

Seniors Program

• art-based workshops
• informational workshops

Legal Clinic, see separate record

HIV and AIDS Prevention Services, see separate record

Settlement Services

• orientation to life in Ontario; information on immigration issues
• accessing government resources including social assistance, income security, child tax benefits
• assistance with search for housing and social housing
• emotional support

Helping Our Newcomers Prepare for Employment/Entrepreneurial Success (HOPES) Program: resettlement stress support, education, skills and experience support

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

Language Instruction Giving Hope to Trauma Survivors (LIGHTS) Program: alternative language program that provides functional English as a second or additional language (ESL/EAL) instruction to vulnerable newcomers who experience emotional, cognitive, or academic barriers to learning in traditional English classes

Provides programs and services to Lao communities across Ontario

Services

• information and referral including employment
• settlement and counselling
• translation and interpretation
• documentation and form filling
• social and cultural events
• community radio program, sports activities
• advocacy, community development and volunteer recruitment
• annual music and cultural festival

COVID19 In-person and virtual services available; phone and virtual counselling to frontline health workers and their families, and others members of the public, in Ontario; also assists permanent residents, convention refugees, student visa and work permit holders with Employment Insurance (EI)and Canada Emergency Resource Benefit (CERB) applications

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Linguistically and culturally sensitive counselling and settlement services for individuals and families

Counselling and Psychotherapy
Individual, group, couple, marital and family counselling and mental health psychotherapy, for issues such as elder abuse, family violence, wife assault, male batterers, incest, sexual assault, offenders, bereavement, problem gambling, substance abuse; crisis intervention; referrals to community partners as necessary

• consultation for human service providers
• satellite offices (limited hours, by appointment only) in Toronto (602 Queen St W), Markham (5665 14th Ave), Mississauga (720 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Unit 2), and Unionville (600 Village Pkwy)

Family programs, including parenting and family life education, and youth counselling and leadership development

Partner Assault Response (PAR)
12 week group education and counselling program on domestic violence and non-abusive ways of resolving conflict

• victims/partners of the offender provided with support including safety planning, referrals to community resources, and information on offender's progress
• group counselling in Cantonese, Mandarin and Vietnamese

Settlement Program
Orientation, needs and eligibility assessments, interpretation and translation; information and referral topics include immigration, issues of concern to refugees and foreign domestic workers, citizenship, social assistance benefits, legal aid, housing, child care, English classes, and education and employment training

• computer access
• job search and employment counselling
• assistance in accessing services

Housing and Transitional Support Program
Counselling, information and referrals, crisis intervention and case management for women who have experienced violence, and their children

• community services information on issues such as housing, legal, financial, health care, immigration, children's services
• settlement support including assistance setting up safety plan, ongoing counselling and support

Carrefour des Immigrants FrancoQueer (CIF)

• settlement and integration services
• information, orientation and reference
• information and orientation workshops
• help with refugee application process and follow up
• discussion groups and peer support, including matching with someone already settled
• social integration activities to adapt to Canadian life
• psychosocial support and crisis counselling

COVID19 -- Follows all current public health restrictions


Provides support and expertise to groups involved in refugee sponsorship and resettlement

• refugee sponsorship training, toolkit and online resource centre
• public awareness of refugee needs

Represents the Anglican Diocese of Toronto and supports the Toronto Conference of the United Church of Canada as a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH)

COVID19 -- services provided by phone or online, as well as in-person services

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Information and training support services

• online applications and forms, serves Canada (except Quebec)

Bilingual program that facilitates settlement of newcomers to Ontario

• provides newcomers with free online and in-person information/orientation about settling in Ontario, and connects them to community services
• informational workshops take place in-person at settlement agencies across the province and/or online via webinars.
• online resources also available for free 24/7 at the O2O website.

Coordinated by COSTI Immigrant Services and jointly funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Province of Ontario.

Online tool for individuals who wish to offer lodging to refugees

• organization reviews the application and then pass it on to a local settlement organization, who will find a match
• volunteers welcome

COVID19 -- call or visit website for current information irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/stay-connected/Pages/covid-19-irb-operations.aspx



Refugee Protection Division: panel determines refugee claims, for more detailed information, click irb.gc.ca/en/applying-refugee-protection/Pages/index.aspx

• appeals of negative decisions may be heard at Refugee Appeal Board or other bodies, for more information, click irb.gc.ca/en/filing-refugee-appeal/Pages/index.aspx

Immigration Appeal Division: hears appeals on immigration-related matters including sponsorships, removal orders, and residency obligations, for more information click irb.gc.ca/en/making-immigration-appeal/Pages/index.aspx

Detention Reviews and Admissibility Hearings: detention reviews and admissibility hearings conducted for persons believed to be inadmissible or removable from Canada; located at 385 Rexdale Blvd, 1-833-222-0408; for more information, click irb.gc.ca/en/detention-hearings/Pages/index.aspx

Settlement Services

• orientation to life in Ontario; information on immigration issues
• accessing government resources including social assistance, income security, child tax benefits
• assistance with search for housing and social housing
• emotional support

Helping Our Newcomers Prepare for Employment/Entrepreneurial Success (HOPES) Program: resettlement stress support, education, skills and experience support

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

Language Instruction Giving Hope to Trauma Survivors (LIGHTS) Program: alternative language program that provides functional English as a second or additional language (ESL/EAL) instruction to vulnerable newcomers who experience emotional, cognitive, or academic barriers to learning in traditional English classes

Office mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect people forced to flee their homes due to violence, conflict and persecution

• provides shelter, food, water, medical care, and other life-saving assistance to refugees around the world

Protection:

• observes Canadian asylum practices and policies in order to promote the highest standards of protection for refugees and asylum-seekers

Resettlement:

• works with the Canadian government and private sponsorship groups to help coordinate resettlement opportunities in Canada

Awareness:

• informs and educates Canadians about the situation of refugees and other displaced persons around the world

Fundraising:

• encourages the Canadian public and the Government of Canada to provide financial assistance to UNHCR programs worldwide

UNHCR Gift Shop:

• targeted donations toward essential resources for refugees such as shelter, medical care, education, nutrition,and clean water

Free legal advice

• provides services, without charge, to individuals affected by the crisis in Ukraine

Visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada IRCC website for more information

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

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

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

Free mobile app to help immigrants, refugees and international students to settle in Ontario

• includes information on finding employment, housing, English or French classes, health care
• connects newcomers to the O20 Chatbot, relevant government websites/phone numbers and the Welcome to Canada Guide
• allows users to connect with 911, 211 and ConnexOntario's Mental Health Services with just one click