the CanadaVisa Team - 22 July, 2015
Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Canada Minister Jason Kenney recently announced that there will be an expansion of immigrant settlement services in southern Ontario libraries.
Library settlement services are currently available to newcomers in Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton. With the new $1.9 million infusion of government funding, libraries in Brampton, Kitchener, Richmond Hill, Windsor, and London will be offering these services as well.
In addition to serving as gathering places for recent immigrants, the library services include group orientation workshops to help them research local housing, transportation, and employment opportunities. There are also community outreach programs to inform newcomers about the variety of services and resources available in their region.
"This investment will give newcomers in our community access to settlement services to help ease their transition to life in Canada. Their success will strengthen [their] community and Canada," said Minister Kenney.
Additionally, Citizenship and Immigration Canada has invested just under $1 million to continue settlement programs for newcomer youth at the Jane/Finch Community and Family Centre in Toronto. Services include a program that matches volunteers with newcomer youth to help them adapt and settle into a new life in Canada.
"When we build relationships with them and bring them into our community, we create a safe space for them," stated Sue Wilkinson, Executive Director of the Jane/Finch Community and Family Centre. "This program offers newcomer youth the opportunity to thrive in a positive peer environment, which eases their transition to Canada."
