
Our Commitment to Full-Year Settlement Support
We understand that the first year is crucial for refugees as they adapt to a new country, culture, and lifestyle. With our experience and strong community partnerships, we are able to offer the following services to sponsored refugee families during their first 12 months in Canada:
- Pre-arrival Support
- Before the family arrives in Canada, we begin our engagement by offering guidance on essential documentation and preparation for their journey. Our pre-arrival support ensures that families are well-prepared for their arrival, with basic knowledge of what to expect.
- Language Support: Introductions to language resources and courses to help families start learning basic English or French prior to arrival.
- Health and Medical Guidance: Assistance with understanding medical requirements and health insurance coverage upon arrival.
- Cultural Orientation: Informational sessions on Canadian culture, values, and living conditions to ease their transition.
- Housing and Accommodation
- Upon arrival, we provide temporary housing until the family is settled and ready to transition into permanent accommodation.
- Temporary Housing: Initial accommodation for the first few weeks or months, depending on family needs.
- Permanent Housing Assistance: Support in finding affordable long-term rental housing, coordinating with community housing programs and affordable housing providers.
- Furniture and Essentials: Provision of basic furniture and household items for newly arrived families to help them feel comfortable in their new home.
- Financial Support
- We ensure that families are supported financially during their early months in Canada.
- Initial Financial Assistance: Financial support to cover immediate needs, such as groceries, transportation, and household expenses.
- Connection to Social Benefits: Assistance in applying for government social programs, including Ontario Works, child benefits, and health care.
- Guidance on Budgeting: Help families manage their finances by teaching them how to budget and access financial resources in Canada.
4.Language and Education Support
- Language is one of the key factors in successful integration. Our services help families improve their language skills and connect them with educational opportunities.
- Language Classes: Access to language training(ESL or FSL) through local community programs or settlement agencies, helping families improve their English or French proficiency.
- Child Education: Support in enrolling children into the local school system, including guidance on school choices, uniforms, transportation, and after-school programs.
- Adult Education: Information on adult education programs, including literacy and skills training to improve employment prospects for adult family members.
- Employment Support
Achieving self-sufficiency is one of the key goals for refugee families, and our employment support services are designed to help adults find stable work.
- Job Search Assistance: Helping adults search for jobs through resume writing, interview coaching, and guidance on Canadian workplace norms.
- Skills Development: Connections to vocational training programs and certification courses to help individuals build Canadian-relevant skills.
- Employment Services: Partnerships with local employment agencies and job fairs that assist newcomers in finding work.
- Health and Wellness Support
- Ensuring the health and well-being of our families is a priority. We help refugees access the healthcare services they need to stay healthy and active.
- Health Insurance: Immediate enrollment in provincial health plans (e.g., OHIP in Ontario) and connecting them to medical professionals for necessary healthcare services.
- Mental Health Support: Providing mental health counseling services for refugees who may be dealing with the trauma of displacement, war, or resettlement challenges.
- Family Wellness: Access to family health programs and support for children, including mental health, dental care, and wellness programs.
- Social and Community Integration
- Social integration is vital to ensure refugees feel a sense of belonging and inclusion in their new community.
- Cultural Orientation: Providing resources to help families understand Canadian social norms, rights, and responsibilities.
- Community Connections: Facilitating social gatherings, such as welcome events, cultural exchanges, and local meetups to connect families with others in their community.
- Volunteer Opportunities: Encouraging refugee families to participate in community service or volunteering to help them engage and build relationships within their new community.
- Ongoing Support and Case Management
- As a Community Sponsorand Constituent Group, we offer continuous support to refugee families throughout their first year of settlement. Our team of case managers will provide ongoing assistance and ensure that each family has the resources they need to thrive.
- Regular Check-ins: We regularly meet with families to assess their progress, address any concerns, and adjust their support plan if necessary.
- Problem-Solving and Advocacy: If challenges arise in accessing services, our team will assist families in advocatingfor their rights and resolving issues related to housing, employment, or healthcare.
- Transition to Independence
- By the end of the first year, our goal is for families to be self-sufficient, with the confidence, knowledge, and support systems they need to thrive in Canada.
- Support for Transition: As families approach the end of their first year, we will work with them to ensure a smooth transition to independence, offering a final review of their settlement plan and resources for continued success.
- Post-Year Follow-Up: We provide post-settlement follow-upsupport to ensure families continue to succeed beyond the first year.