Support Groups

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 4Community 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 advancementProgramming includes Core Career Mentorship Federal Internship for Newcomers (FIN) Refugee and Immigrant Supports to Employment (RAISE) Pre-Arrival Supports Ottawa Mentoring Collaborative Job Search WorkshopsMulticultural 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 13-24Settlement 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 referralsCounselling Program: see separate record for more informationYOCISO: offers academic, life skills, counselling, and arts-based support in a fun and interactive wayLanguage 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 availableRefugee 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.