Settlement Services

The AWO’s Settlement Services Program helps over 100 newly arrived landed immigrants and convention refugees every month in settling and integrating into Canadian society. Language barriers and a lack of knowledge about the process of accessing basic services such as health care, transportation, education, employment, and shelter, often make the course of settlement difficult for newcomers. Our Settlement Services staff is well-trained and equipped to meet their special needs.

We offer a wide variety of settlement services for you and your family including:

One-on-one Services
Information & Orientation
Interpretation & Translation
Assistance Filling Forms / Applying for Benefits (SIN, PRC, CCTB, OHIP)
Assistance Finding Housing (rentals and applying for subsidized housing)
School/Language Training Referral & Enrollment
Supportive Counselling
Accompaniment
Follow-ups & Referrals

Our Services

Needs Assessment

The first step in the settlement and adaptation process is a needs assessment. During this meeting, newcomers are informed of their rights and responsibilities as permanent residents in Canada. They are made aware of all the documentation needed to access health care, employment and training, programs and schooling for their children and the many services offered by the AWO to help in the settlement process.

Facilitating Access to Services

One of the most important functions of settlement services is to help newly arrived immigrants acquire the proper identification cards and assist in completing the necessary forms to access government services. Clients receive assistance in acquiring their Health Card, Social Insurance Number (SIN), Interim Federal Health (IFH) benefits, and Child Tax Benefit.

Adjustment and Orientation Services

Our settlement services programming eases the settlement process for newcomers by holding orientation and information sessions on Canadian law, finances, recreation and shopping, access to transportation, health care, housing, and employment. Staff members also provide one-on-one counselling and guidance related to these topics upon request.

Client Support

A large part of our settlement service staff duties include liaising between clients and government and non-government institutions. The staff also advocate on behalf of clients while providing interpretation services. AWO staff and volunteers also provide accompaniment (escorting) services to clients for medical and immigration appointments, social service and school meetings, and more.

A settlement counsellor is available at our Head Office, Scarborough, North York and Mississauga locations on a full-time basis.

Services are provided in different languages including, but not limited to: Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Tajiki, Uzbeki, Arabic, Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi, and Turkmani.

For available French Settlement Services please click here.

Transportation and care for newcomer children will be provided, if needed.