Immigrant Support Services in Markham and the GTA
In today’s time, the economic future of countries like Canada depends directly upon their ability to successfully attract, intermix and retain new immigrants. Markham being a part of Canada is no exception. Immigrant support services in Markham are designed to support and guide immigrants by providing precise information and required resources. Newcomers, be they immigrants or temporary residents, are offered a wide range of services which include settlement and integration, employment support, and language assessment services and language classes.
Individual clients are offered a unique mix of on-site support delivered by community partners in Markham. The needs of clients are met in the communities they are located in. The following services are provided to clients:
Settlement and Integration Services
These services help refugees and immigrants to integrate and settle so that they can become the contributing and established members of Canadian culture.
Settlement counselors provide settlement services which help immigrants and their families to handle the problems which are associated with their adaptation, integration and adjustment to their new community. Teaming up with the client, the settlement counselor helps in establishing priorities, identifying the services required, providing assistance to schedule appointments, registering for suitable programs and finding information. These services include:
- Immigrant and Newcomer Settlement Program: These programs deal with newcomer orientation workshops, guidance, referrals, advocacy, information, and many other beneficial programs. To provide precise knowledge about settlement-related topics such as housing, education, taxation, employment and community resources, information sessions are regularly conducted.
- Community Connections Volunteer Program: In this program, resident Canadians welcome newcomers, and mentoring and guidance is provided by forming groups. This cultural integration program:
- creates harmony and racial understanding among residents.
- helps the immigrants/refugees to be contributing and established members of Canadian culture.
- Organizes social events where new contacts are made and conversational French or English is practiced.
- Services for Seniors, Women and Youths: It is known that newcomer seniors, women and youths face greater difficulties in settling in Canada. To ease it for them support groups, educational and recreational opportunities, friendship-building activities, etc. are organized specifically for these groups.
- Interpretation Services: Professional interpreters with experience help clients to provide better access to the programs and services offered.
Employment Support Services
Newcomers hold a lot of employment skills and experience to work in Canada. But they are not familiar with job searching practices customary in Canada. Here, support is provided to them which includes:
- Resume and cover letter preparation through accreditation and qualification assistance
- Use of the Internet to search for jobs by organizing job search workshop programs
- Preparation for interviews
- Workplace practices and behaviours
- Information provided about Canadian employers and labor market
- One-to-one assistance by employment settlement specialists
Language assessment and language classes
With settlement, language is one of the biggest hurdles. If someone is not familiar enough with English, even simple tasks, such as asking for directions, searching for employment or food can be extremely difficult.
The language programs at Welcome Centre help to resolve problems by offering courses that include:
- Part-time English language classes
- Full-time English language classes
- For internationally trained professionals, Enhanced Language Training (ELT)
At Welcome Centre, all these services are provided free of charge and are helping the immigrants to settle in Canada as best as possible. Welcome Centre Immigrant Services can be accessed at:
Ajax Welcome Centre
458 Fairall Street, Unit 5
Ajax, ON L1S 1R6
(Across from Ajax GO Station)
Phone: 289-482-1037
Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 8:30 am – 9:00 pm
Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Every other Saturday: 9:00 am – 1:30pm (with exceptions for scheduled special events)
Markham Welcome Centre
8400 Woodbine Ave, Suite 102-103
Markham, ON L3R 4N7
(South of Highway 7)
Phone: 289-846-3645
Fax: 905-477-3219
Hours of Operation:
Monday 8:30 am – 8:30 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am – 8:30 pm
Thursday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm (language classes only)
Sunday Closed
AND
7220 Kennedy Road (Hollywood Square)
Markham, ON L3R 7P2
(South of 14th Avenue)
Phone : 905-479-7926
Fax: 905-479-7425
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Thursday: 8:30 am – 8:30 pm
Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday: Closed
Newmarket Welcome Centre
16655 Yonge Street, Unit #26
Newmarket, ON L3X 1V6
(South of Mulock Drive)
Phone: 289-841-3032
Fax: 905-853-6186/905-853-5743
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Wednesday, Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm*
Thursday: 8:30 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday/Sunday: Closed
Pickering
1400 Bayly Street, Unit 5
Pickering, ON L1W 3R2
(Across from Pickering GO Station)
Phone: 905-420-3600
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Richmond Hill Welcome Centre
South Hill Shopping Centre
9325 Yonge Street, Unit 31A
Richmond Hill, ON L4C 0A8
(Northeast Corner of Yonge & 16th)
Phone: 289-842-3124
Fax: 905-884-3163
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 8:30 pm
Saturdays: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Vaughan
9100 Jane Street, Building H, Units 56-67
Vaughan, ON L4K 0A4
(South of Rutherford Road)
Phone: 905-761-1155
Fax: 905-761-2080
Hours of Operation:
Monday, Wednesday: 8:30 am – 8:30 pm
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday: Closed
Welcome Centre Mobile Outreach
Services are available 7-days a week. Day and evening appointments are available. To book an appointment, or for more information, contact mobileunit@welcomecentre.ca.