Integration Services

Communities Connections - Welcoming Communities

Community Connections - Welcoming Communities programs build bridges between newcomers and host communities, creating meaningful relationships and understanding among newcomers and Canadians. The services we offer foster a welcoming environment, enhance a sense of belonging and social unity, promote civic engagement, build leadership skills, volunteer, participate in cross-cultural interactions and develop better cross-cultural understanding.

The program brings together newcomers to Canada and established community residents for friendship, sharing, and learning. There are two ways someone can join our program: as a newcomer or as a volunteer.

Matching of Newcomer with Established Immigrants and/or Citizens

We will match community volunteers and newcomers, as individuals or as families, to offer in-depth assistance and support to newcomers. These volunteers help their new friends to learn about daily living in Canada and to explore with them their community resources. As a result of this mentorship, newcomers receive friendly support from their mentor/s and their mentors (volunteers) learn about diverse homelands and cultures, and gain a greater appreciation for the immigrants' experiences.

Newcomer Family Drop-In Program

The Newcomer Family Drop-In Program is designed for children from 2 to 12 years of age. The program promotes the development of language, cognitive, sensory, creativity and gross motor skills development. This program is available to newcomer children and their parents who have limited knowledge of English language. While children are busy learning and creating, parents are involved in workshops and seminars (Groups) that help them develop better parenting skills. Parents learn more about their children's development and are encouraged to use these techniques at home in order to continue the growth of newly acquired skills and at the same Dates and Time foster positive learning opportunities for their children.

English Conversation Circle (ECC)

Through the English Conversation Circle, participants have an opportunity to practice every day English language skills and build self-confidence. This is a great venue for newcomers who are interested in increasing their fluency in English.

Cooking Club

Through our Cooking Club activities, participants share recipes from all over the world and cook healthy meals while at the same Dates and Time networking with other program participants. It is a great way to meet new people, make new friends and enhance cultural awareness by learning and understanding other cultures.

Movie Night

Participants watch family oriented movies which generate lively discussions about their experiences and views towards various aspects of life. This is a great opportunity for newcomers to also practice their English skills and to develop networking opportunities.

Volunteering in Communities Connection - Welcoming Communities Program

To become a volunteer individuals must be 18 years of age or older and a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident for more than 5 years, be knowledgeable about the community, be open to learning about and appreciating other cultures and be able to volunteer for about 2 hours a week, for at least 6 months.

What Do Community Connections - Welcoming Communities Volunteers Do?

Volunteers join the program because they want to give back to their community. What they receive in return is friendship and fun, knowledge of international languages and cultures, a greater appreciation and understanding of the immigrant experience and a sense of accomplishment in building a welcoming community.

Community Outreach and Awareness

We regularly conduct community outreach in the community, schools, businesses, associations, faith groups in order to raise awareness of the needs of newcomers and services which we provide and/or are available in the community.

Settlement and Community Connection Services in Language Instruction and Libraries Program

We offer settlement supports in Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and libraries. Settlement services in schools, libraries and other locations that facilitate newcomers' access to and navigation of community services. We assist newcomers to connect to resources in their settlement journey by working with our community partners.