York Region Services

York Region Newcomer Services

Facts

• According to Statistics Canada, in 2006, over 50 per cent of residents living in Markham and Richmond Hill were not born in Canada.
• People who choose to live in York Region are generally highly-skilled and well-educated.

• York Region is the fastest growing Census Division in Ontario.

• In 1901, there were 25 distinct ethnic groups in Canada. Today, there are about 226. In York Region there are more than 200 distinct ethnic groups.

York Region has a very helpful Immigration Portal called York Welcome that links to many different services in and around York Region. You can access it here. The Welcome Centre has a variety of immigration services all in one centre. Services are provided free of charge. The five agencies that are found at the Welcome Centre are:

• COSTI Immigrant Services provides employment, educational, settlement and social services to all immigrants.
• Catholic Community Services of York Region (CCSYR) is a non-profit charitable social services agency that delivers social services to the communities of York Region.
• Centre for Information and Community Services provides many professional services to help immigrants and refugees settle and integrate into Canadian society.
• Job Skills helps people develop the skills and goals needed to participate in the job market in York Region.
• The Accreditation Assistance Access Centre (AAAC) is an employment assistance service for internationally trained professionals and trades people.

There are several other local organizations available to help newcommers get settled in York Region.

• The Cross Cultural Community Services Association (TCCSA) provides services to the Greater Toronto Area to help newcomers such as settlement services, education and language training, and community and youth services.
• Jewish Immigrant Aid Services (JIAS) offers a full range of settlement and integration services for new immigrants.
• JVS Toronto partners with government and business to provide educational and vocational services.
• Seneca College’s Faculty of Workforce Skills Development offers the Re-employment Services for International Professionals Program (RESIP). This program features employability workshops, individual coaching, job development and mentoring services.
• YMCA York Region provides information on housing, social services, learning English, employment counseling, finding a job, finding child care and more.

Links

Here is a list of other resources that can help newcomers settle in York Region and Ontario:

• YorkLink - a directory of over 700 community agencies and government services in York Region
• Social Services Network - support and counseling to the South Asian community
• Settlement.org - provides information and answers to newcomers who want to settle in Ontario
• Ontario Immigration - province’s immigration website to help newcomers to Ontario
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada - Canadian government department that provides immigration and citizenship services
• Going to Canada - links to information and services when planning a temporary stay or making Canada your new home