Searching for English As A Second Language

• English language skills instruction to increase literacy, numeracy, and ability in listening, speaking, reading and writing
• workshops, conversation circles and community activities
• computer lab

Community economic development

Newcomer Supports and Settlement Services

• needs assessment and post-arrival information and referral to community and social services such as housing, food bank, and furniture bank
• support with finding 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, and conversation circles to practise English
• help with connecting to language classes
• workshops to reduce stress of adjusting to Canadian culture
• English as a Second Language and English for Life and Work in Canada
• conversation and pronunciation classes
• job search preparation and online or in-class training to develop 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
• referral to credential evaluation programs such as WES and support for internationally trained professionals

Employment Training Programs: registered private careers college providing for

• Early Childhood Assistants
• industrial skills training, including warehouse skills such as forklift operator certification
• bicycle assembly and maintenance
• building maintenance and superintendent

Youth Programs:

• immigration and settlement peer counselling services
• leadership skills training and employment assistance to newcomer youth

Child Care: multiple child care centres across Toronto -- see separate listing

Settlement Services

• reception and arrival orientation
• assistance with housing, banking and other needs
• referral to government and community services
• form filling help with government applications such as SIN, health card, child benefits, childcare subsidy, subsidized housing and Ontario Works
• help to restore lost or stolen documents
• translation and interpretation
• information and referral to employment services
• seasonal income tax clinic

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

• classes full or part-time, day or evening
• childminding available during day

• immigration and sponsorship issues
• job training; business and community economic development
• anti-racism program
• health and nutrition information
• accompaniment to services; translation and interpretation
• housing referrals; legal information
• newcomer mental health advice, support and referrals
• culturally appropriate family counselling

Offices are open, preferably by appointment; services are offered in-person and remotely over the phone and by Zoom

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Settlement Services

• assessments and referrals
• supportive counselling for youth, families and women
• Commissioner of Oath services
• sessions on topics such as housing, education, health care, social assistance, legal assistance, citizenship, professional licensing and job search
• crisis counselling

Confidential short-term non-clinical counselling for youth, adults or families experiencing a crisis situation related to adjusting to life in Canada, mental health, intimate partner violence, substance misuse, trauma, interpersonal problems, parenting or other situation

Community Connections Program

• brings Canadians and newcomers together to connect and make newcomers feel welcome
• services offered through volunteers and include introducing newcomers to life in Canada, hosting conversation circles to help newcomers practice English and facilitating networking opportunities.

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

• full time classes
• childminding for children 19 months-5 years while parents attend classes

Multicultural Women's Wellness Program

• women experiencing mental health struggles and stresses can meet, socialize, share experiences, network, learn and stay active; offered in partnership with Canadian Mental Health Association

Transition to Employment for Newcomers

• for newcomers including internationally trained professionals and tradespeople
  individual coaching, linking to resources, and employment workshops‍

Bridging the Gap: Pathways to Early Childhood Education Careers for Internationally Trained Professionals

• 10-week, in-person program designed to help Internationally Trained Professionals transition into Ontario's Early Childhood Education sector
• technical and employment readiness training; CPR/First Aid, Food Handling
• training in workplace ethics, child protection, and Ontario childcare regulations
• one-week placement at a local childcare centre
• job search support, interview preparation, and career planning; individual coaching to explore ECE or Early Childhood Assistant (ECA) pathways; job maintenence

TRIEC Mentoring Partnership - see separate listing

Call for appointment

Participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto, childminding available -- see separate entry

Virtual support over the phone, call main office or email; will reply in an hour; in-person support also available; masks provided
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Support on Immigration and Refugee Issues

• holistic case management and services to precarious migrants and refugee populations; new clients may drop in Mondays 9:30 am-4 pm

Refugee Hearing Orientation and Appeal Preparation (Ready Tour)

• allows refugee claimants to learn what will happen during hearing, how to be ready and what happens after decision is made; session occurs twice a month
• Appeal Info Session for rejected refugees wanting to learn how to appeal a negative decision after the hearing
• registration - calendar available in the immigration section of the website

Transitional Housing

• transitional housing for refugee claimant women and children, capacity 30 for stays up to 12 months
• help with the refugee process, including legal, mental health, social services and other referrals; support and accompaniment to appointments

Food Distribution and Income Security Program

• ​food hampers for vulnerable populations regardless of immigration status

Primary Health Care Clinic

• ​by appointment; no Ontario Health Insurance required

Support Groups and Activities for Women

• ongoing information-sharing on issues relevant to women adapting to a new culture
• community activities, field trips, skills workshops

English Language Learning (ELL)

• free beginner and intermediate online English classes
• primarily for people without status and/or in a situation of vulnerability.

Youth Program

• for newcomer youth regardless of immigration status
• offers mutual support, volunteering and skills development, social and sports activities, Wednesdays 4 pm-6 pm

Services for Victims/Survivors of Human Trafficking

• ​holistic support and full range of services
• legal information, immigration, housing, employment support, counselling

Settlement services

• English language classes (LINC)
• one on one information and referral, orientation
• counselling
• documentation
• social assistance applications
• interpretation
• information sessions and workshops

Women support groups

• counselling and support groups for assaulted women
• Spanish-speaking seniors club
• Portuguese-speaking seniors group
• groups for Portuguese-speaking, Spanish-speaking and Mandarin-speaking women
• wellness and fitness program
• advocacy and public education
• community development

Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) -- in-home school readiness program for low income families, serving Jane and Finch, Malvern, Thorncliffe and Toronto West

Tutoring program -- for students of Portuguese or Spanish-speaking heritage

Live-in Caregiver support program -- individual support, employment and employer related issues, employment training opportunities

Community engagement -- community led activities, volunteering, leadership development for youth, women and seniors

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada: for women, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto Assessment Centre -- see separate entry

• technology-enhanced language training for LINC levels CLB Lit - CLB 4
• skills development for life in Canada
• preparation for job search and for entry into colleges and universities
• guest speakers, field trips and social events
• Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) instructors
• TTC support available to those who qualify -- settlement and employment counseling available on site

Classes offered in-person

Newcomer services include,

• citizenship classes
• job training, including
  • customer service
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) certification
  • food and beverage manufacturing
  • food handler training and certification

• English language training, including
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic preparation program, business writing, English for work, English conversation circle
• G1 driver's license study support

Social, education and health related activities

• ESL and literacy classes
• skills training for immigrant women including sewing classes, computer classes
• workshops
• free child minding when parents are in programs and workshops
• assistance with form filling, immigration, housing, resume writing, and job searching
• support groups

• practice English skills
• employment assistance
• volunteer opportunities
• homework help and mentorship support
• recreational activities including sports, music, arts
• family reunification
• in partnership with other service providers
• individual and group mental health and wellness support
• post-secondary and scholarship support

• professional learning sessions including online courses
• community data group
• EarlyON Child and Family Centre onsite (see separate listing)

Language and skills training courses available in-person and online

Participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto -- see separate entry

• daytime and evening programs available
• childminding available for eligible candidates
• LINC for Women
• conversation circle

Settlement Services

• orientation, assistance with documentation, interpretation and translation
• information and referral -- employment, housing, health, legal
• crisis intervention and supportive counselling

Participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto

• childminding available -- see separate entry

Settlement Program

• needs assessment and referral, information and orientation
• translation and interpretation
• assistance with government applications and form filling
• citizenship classes and facilitation of ceremonies
• participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto, childminding and TTC tokens available -- see separate entry

Settlement services are also available to newcomers from the Ukraine who have come to Canada through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET)

Employment Services

• assessment and employment counselling
• job search training, resume preparation, workshops
• referral to employment centres
• access to computers, Internet, fax, photocopier

Newcomer Youth Program

• social, educational and recreational services
• information and outreach
• employment assistance
• peer tutoring (suspended until further notice)
• youth leadership development

Income Tax Support

• year-round income tax clinic by appointment for individuals and families with low incomes
• seasonal income tax clinic with West Neighbourhood House

Educational and Cultural Activities

• workshops and information on Canadian culture and multicultural diversity
• annual events and recognition of global celebrations
• anti-racism and access and equity programs
• community events, festivals and celebrations

Child Minding Training Program: in partnership with Davenport Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre, and Queen West Community Health Centre

Seniors Programs

• Saturday social and exercise program
• Tibetan Seniors Program
• Tai Chi, Line Dance and Yoga
• Thursday afternoon English conversation class for Tibetan seniors
• drop-in facility and social, emotional and settlement support for seniors

Settlement Program

• needs assessment and referral, information and orientation
• translation and interpretation
• assistance with government applications and form filling
• citizenship classes
• participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto, childminding and TTC tokens available -- see separate entry

Newcomers from the Ukraine who came to Canada via the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) can also receive settlement services

Employment Support Services

• assessment and employment counselling
• job search training, resume preparation, workshops
• referral to employment centres
• access to computers, Internet, fax, photocopier

Newcomer Youth Program

• social, educational and recreational services
• information and outreach
• employment assistance
• peer tutoring - suspended until further notice
• youth leadership development

Income Tax Support

• year round income tax clinic by appointment for individuals and families with low incomes
• seasonal income tax clinic with West Neighbourhood House

Educational and Cultural Activities

• workshops and information on Canadian culture and multicultural diversity
• annual events and recognition of global celebrations
• anti-racism and access and equity programs
• community events, festivals and celebrations

• social, recreation and education programs
• information and referral
• counselling
• translation and interpretation
• assistance in filling out forms
• income tax clinic
• English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
• computer classes
• dance, music and other recreational classes
• gateball club

English learning program for trauma survivors

• empowers participants to manage stress and boost confidence
• equips them with language to describe their feelings, and to be comfortable in simple conversations
• prepares them to access further English as a Second Language programs including Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada
• provides technology and community resources/connections
• individual and group coaching from professionals in areas such as mindfulness, wellness, meditation, relaxation, art and drama

Settlement Services

• orientation, assistance with documentation, interpretation and translation
• information and referral - employment, housing, health, legal
• crisis intervention and supportive counselling

English as a Second Language (ESL) Instruction

• variety of ESL classes
• part time and full time classes
• citizenship preparation classes
• CAAT (Canadian Adult Achievement Test)
• ESL for work permit holders and visitors

Matches groups of volunteers with refugee newcomers for up to six months of social and integration support, including

• English language practice
• tutoring for young learners
• job search assistance including resume building, job searching, interview preparation
• support with system navigation (education, health care)
• cultural transition support
• social support and community involvement
• social events and recreation activities
• support available in-person and virtually

Programs are offered in-person with some hybrid programming also available

Social support programs in several locations

• information and referral
• income tax clinic
• referral to legal services
• outreach and mobilization to engage residents and strengthen the community
• community development, connecting with community and building a network

Settlement Program

• outreach program based in elementary and secondary schools from mid-August to end of June and in libraries and social service agencies from July to mid-August
• refugee support
• employment support and family support for Filipino women
• online citizenship test preparation

Employment readiness and mentoring:

• employment preparation
• professional and social mentorship
• self employment & entrepreneurship programs for immigrant women
• youth employment programs

Family and community centre

• after school programs, parenting groups, youth programs
• citizenship test preparation
• gender-based violence programs and services
• mental health and wellness programs

LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto;

• child care provided for students only
• English conversation circles
• digital literacy program

Financial Empowerment Programs for Newcomers

• free financial education
• help with tax filing and accessing benefits
• financial counselling
• employment & financial literacy support for Newcomer men
• outreach at Toronto Public Library locations, visit website https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/financialempowerment

Truth & Reconciliation (hybrid)

• Indigenous learning
• Knowledge sharing and activities